Days Out NI
Nature & wildlife Portrush

Portrush Coastal Zone

A free summer aquarium run by DAERA where kids meet rays, cat sharks and crabs up close.

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Check seasonSeasonal: roughly June to September, 10:0…
FreeNo ticket needed
PortrushNature & wildlife
Get directionsOfficial website
60 minutesHow long
FreeEntry
All agesBest for
No confirmed…Dogs
NearbyParking

Portrush Coastal Zone — A free summer aquarium run by DAERA where kids meet rays, cat sharks and crabs up close.

  • What you'll see: Touch tanks and aquariums of native sea life: rays, cat sharks (dogfish), lobsters, starfish, crabs, anemones, sea cucumbers and clams. Displays on local marine life and coastal history. Sea mammals sometimes visible from the platform offshore.
  • Season: Seasonal: roughly June to September, 10:00 to 16:30 daily. The exact June start date changes each year — check ahead on 028 7082 3600.
  • Dogs: No confirmed dogs policy stated — check ahead on 028 7082 3600 before bringing a dog.
  • Parking: Adjacent street parking and public car parks in Portrush town a short walk away. Bus access nearby.
  • Food: Café on the ground floor. Portrush cafes, chip shops and ice cream are also a short stroll away.
  • Toilets: On site. Disabled-accessible toilets available.
Plan your visit

Meet the rock-pool residents

The stars here are the live tanks at child height. You'll see rays gliding past the glass, cat sharks (the small sharks people call dogfish), lobsters, starfish, crabs, clams, sea cucumbers and anemones. The touch tank is the highlight for most kids, with staff on hand to show them how to hold a starfish or shell safely. There's also a manned viewing platform with a telescope at the rear, looking out towards the Skerries — on a good day dolphins, harbour porpoises and grey seals show up offshore. It's all native Northern Ireland sea life, which makes the next rock-pool ramble on the beach far more exciting.

Free entry Touch tank: handle starfish, shells and sea cucumbers Live cat sharks, rays and lobsters in child-height tanks Indoor rainy-day option right in the town Viewing platform with telescope overlooking the Skerries Short walk from Portrush harbour and the beaches
Good to know before you go:

As a DAERA marine centre, the Coastal Zone runs seasonal talks, family activities and conservation events through the summer, especially in school holidays. Phone 028 7082 3600 or email [email protected] to see what's on during your visit.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🔭BinocularsHalf the fun is spotting the birds, seals or deer before they spot you.
  • 👟Walking shoes or welliesPaths can be soft, grassy or muddy after rain — comfy waterproof feet win.
  • 🧥A coatOut in the open the weather changes fast; dress for it and enjoy the fresh air.
  • 💧Water and a snackReserves are quiet places — few have a café, so pack a little something.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Cost
Free
Opening / season
Seasonal: roughly June to September, 10:00 to 16:30 daily. The exact June start date changes each year — check ahead on 028 7082 3600.
Best for ages
Toddlers upwards; the touch tank and live tanks are the draw for under-10s, but interesting for all ages
What you'll see
Touch tanks and aquariums of native sea life: rays, cat sharks (dogfish), lobsters, starfish, crabs, anemones, sea cucumbers and clams. Displays on local marine life and coastal history. Sea mammals sometimes visible from the platform offshore.
Food
Café on the ground floor. Portrush cafes, chip shops and ice cream are also a short stroll away.
Toilets
On site. Disabled-accessible toilets available.
Parking
Adjacent street parking and public car parks in Portrush town a short walk away. Bus access nearby.
Dogs
No confirmed dogs policy stated — check ahead on 028 7082 3600 before bringing a dog.
Accessibility
Ground-floor displays at street level. Disabled toilets on site. Contact the centre ahead if you have specific access needs.
How long to allow
30 to 60 minutes
Address
8 Bath Road, Portrush, BT56 8AP
Questions

Before you go

Is it free?
Free
What will we see?
Touch tanks and aquariums of native sea life: rays, cat sharks (dogfish), lobsters, starfish, crabs, anemones, sea cucumbers and clams. Displays on local marine life and coastal history. Sea mammals sometimes visible from the platform offshore.
When is the best time to go?
Seasonal: roughly June to September, 10:00 to 16:30 daily. The exact June start date changes each year — check ahead on 028 7082 3600.
Can I bring the dog?
No confirmed dogs policy stated — check ahead on 028 7082 3600 before bringing a dog.
Where do I park?
Adjacent street parking and public car parks in Portrush town a short walk away. Bus access nearby.
Getting there

Portrush Coastal Zone is at 8 Bath Road, Portrush, BT56 8AP. Adjacent street parking and public car parks in Portrush town a short walk away. Bus access nearby. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

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The story

A Victorian bathhouse turned marine classroom

The building on Bath Road has a long history — it was originally a Victorian bathhouse, and later became the Portrush Countryside Centre before DAERA took it over and relaunched it as the Coastal Zone. It's run by DAERA's Marine and Fisheries Division, the government body responsible for Northern Ireland's marine and coastal environment.

It sits directly on the coast overlooking the Skerries islands, adjacent to Ramore Head, an Area of Special Scientific Interest designated for its geology and fossils. The centre overlooks a Marine Special Area of Conservation, making it a working part of the conservation landscape as well as a visitor attraction.

The displays cover the natural history, wildlife and local heritage of this stretch of the Causeway Coast, with the live tanks bringing the rock-pool life that's all around Portrush indoors where children can meet it face to face.