Aquariums are one attraction that always offer a fun day out no matter how old you are, and as Nausicaá aquarium is the largest one in Europe it is the perfect place to head if you want to spend a few hours discovering underwater wonders.
It takes just half an hour to drive from the port in Calais to Nausicaá aquarium, which is located on the seafront in Boulogne-sur-Mer, so you can easily take a day trip here when you travel to France by ferry, and have plenty of time to explore the area too.
Nausicaá aquarium is split into three sections: Journey on the High Seas, Mankind and Shores, and Ocean and Climate, with each area offering a look at a different part of underwater life.
Journey on the High Seas
‘Journey on the High Seas’ takes you to places under the sea that you can’t even imagine, and shows you what is living at its darkest depths. One of the aquarium’s highlights is that you will come face-to-face with species from the Pacific Ocean, including manta rays and hammerhead sharks, by looking through the attraction’s giant window.
The window measures an impressive 5 metres high by 20 metres long, and standing in front of it makes you feel like you are on the seabed itself. In this section of the aquarium, you will also find an 18 metre long underwater tunnel that takes you beneath the wonderful array of sea creatures and gives you a new perspective.
Mankind and Shores
This section of Nausicaá aquarium shows you how humans interact with the sea and all of the different ways in which it impacts on our lives.
Take a look at a shimmering coral reef, wander through a mangrove swamp, see crocodiles in their submerged forest, and stroke some rays as they swim around the touch tank. This is also where you will find the Lagoon Bar where you can enjoy a number of tasty meals and drinks.
You will find the sea lions in this section and can see them swimming around as you walk through the underwater tunnel, and on the surface too as they relax in their habitat. There are also opportunities to see the sea lions performing with their trainers, which are dedicated to informing the public about the importance of marine reserves, and the fact that Californian sea lions were close to disappear at the beginning of the 20th century because of gold searchers. During these training sessions, the keepers will explain the physical, mental and medical training that they do with the sea lions to those watching.
Ocean and Climate
The final part of your Nausicaá journey is to visit the Ocean and Climate section which is home to the aquarium’s group of Cape penguins.
The penguin enclosure allows you to see these fun creatures on land, and underwater if they decide to take a swim, which is the perfect way to end your walk around the aquarium.
You will find fun interactive screens as you make your way through Nausicaá which give you the chance to have a go at quizzes, play games, and discover fun facts, and we promise that these are just as fun for adults as they are for children!
Due to its close proximity to the port in Calais, and the amount that there is to see and do, Nausicaá aquarium is a fantastic day trip choice on any day of the year for families, couples, or groups of friends looking for an interesting and exciting attraction that is easy to get to and provides hours of entertainment.
If you would like to visit Nausicaá, book your Dover to Calais crossing and aquarium tickets today and you can be discovering underwater wonders in no time.
