Shark Week at the National Marine Aquarium

The National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth will be celebrating its recent new Shark arrivals this February half term with a whole week dedicated to them

Great British Life: National Marine Aquarium - Sleeping with Sharks 4 National Marine Aquarium - Sleeping with Sharks 4 (Image: © Rob Gillies/Lone Wolf Photography 2013 - images may be used under photographers consent by the members of the National Marine)

Taking place from 13-21 February, Shark Week will include a whole host of family fun events based around the new arrivals, which includes no less than 11 Sharks with two Lemon Sharks, three Zebra Sharks, two Sand Tiger Sharks and four Smooth-hound Sharks all joining the Aquarium family in the last three months.

Visitors can look forward to a Sharky trail, jaw dropping arts and crafts, and a daily fintastic Shark show.

Great British Life: Lemon Shark in the Atlantic Ocean tank at the National Marine Aquarium Lemon Shark in the Atlantic Ocean tank at the National Marine Aquarium (Image: Archant)

In keeping with the Shark Week celebrations, the Aquarium will also be hosting an ever-popular Sleeping with Sharks event. Taking place on 19 February, the sleepover is an exciting way for visitors to see what happens in the underwater world at night. With the beasts of the sea swimming silently overhead, their presence will fascinate anyone brave enough to spend the night in their company.

Suitable for children aged 5-15, the evening also includes a twilight tour of the Aquarium, arts and crafts in the Just Add H2O Creative Centre, games around the building, a big screen movie in front of the Eddystone Reef tank, a midnight snack, finished off with a continental breakfast the following morning.

Sarah Pickup, Host Supervisor at the National Marine Aquarium, commented: “Half term is going to be bumper week full of fun and games at the Aquarium. It has been a very exciting few months for us with our various new Shark arrivals - Spring half term is the perfect opportunity for us to celebrate these with our visitors, and engage them with the new species. We look forward to welcoming visitors from the South West and beyond to join in with some Sharky-themed fun.”

Shark Week will run daily from 13 – 21 February – full schedule of activities below.

10:30- Rockpool Feed

11:00- Fintastic Shark Show

11:30- Shark Walk

12:00- Coral Show

13:00- Eddystone Talk

13:00- Shark Walk

13:30- Octofactor - with Giant Pacific Octopus

14:00- Dive Show

15:00- Fintastic Shark Show

15:00- Octofactor - with Giant Pacific Octopus

15:30- Shark Walk