| Zoo Name: | Exploris Aquarium and Seal Sanctuary |
| Location: | Portaferry, Ards and North Down, Northern Ireland |
| Date Opened: | 1987, re-opened 2016 |
| Coordinates: | 54.382°N -5.549°W |
| Largest Tank Vol: | 250,000 |
| Annual Visitors: | 100,000+ |
| Major Exhibits: | Ocean tank, Seal Sanctuary, Otter Habitat & Reptiles of the Rainforest |
| Publictransit: | Ulsterbus |
| Website: | www.explorisni.com |
Exploris is a public aquarium situated in Portaferry, Northern Ireland. The facility is the only public aquarium in Northern Ireland[1] and it is located on the shores of the Marine Nature reserve of Strangford Lough, which is an important winter migration destination for many wading and sea birds. The lough is home to almost 75% of the marine species found in Northern Ireland, including common seals, basking sharks and brent geese. Three quarters of the world population of pale bellied brent geese spend winter in the lough area. Exploris illustrates and exhibits the large variety of animals that live in Strangford Lough.[2] [3]
Exploris was closed in late 2014 for refurbishment. It reopened in August 2016 following an investment of close to £1.5m in refurbishment works by the operators, Crumlin Road Gaol Ltd., but also with the help of the Department of the Environment.[4]