Edinburgh for Under Fives: Deep Sea World
Both Alex and I had been to Deep Sea World several times when we were younger, it’s a favourite for school trips. We knew what to expect and we wondered if anything might have changed. Barring the addition of a seal sanctuary, the answer was no.
Deep Sea World comprises several large open fish tanks, tropical aquariums, educational docks with interactive displays and the main attraction, an underwater conveyor belt that takes you well below sea level and surrounds you with shark amongst other fish. Apparently the acrylic used in the tunnel is the same as that used by NASA in space shuttles, and can withstand two African elephants, which is reassuring, the largest shark we saw must have been around 10ft long.
Erin loved it, the fish in the open tanks ended up being at eye level for her so she was able to view freely. She enjoyed the underwater tunnel, but I think her favourite were the seals, she whooped and squealed as they hauled their blubbery bodies out of the water for another herring.
It was a lovely couple of hours but at £10 per adult (Erin was free), I felt it was quite expensive and will need to be an occasional treat.
My kids get more excited over Sea World than Disneyland, my son keeps saying he wants to be a marine biologist
It actually made us think about going back to Florida, that would be such a fun holiday with Erin.
The Mrs and i went there with the lad a year or two ago nadI must say that the lad (two at the time) was bored to tears and the mrs and I thought it was abyssmal! Especially for the price, as you mention it’s a tad pricey, I think it was £9 an adult when we went.
Edinburgh zoo costs the same (I think?) and is really good … although I’m not a fan of caged animals, least of all polar bears
, the lad however does like it and we’ve been a few times. On a nice day it’s a WHOLE day’s entertainement 
We have vouchers for Edinburgh Zoo, I think we’l head there soon.