Booking choice: The SEA LIFE London ticket, timed entry with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Book this Compare the options below
SEA LIFE London opened in 1997 as the London Aquarium and has carried the SEA LIFE name since 2009, after Merlin Entertainments bought it in 2008. It is the flagship of a chain of about fifty aquariums, and one of the sites Merlin said in 2025 was not for sale. A ticket is for this one building on the South Bank, not for any other SEA LIFE.
This guide covers how tickets work in practice: buying online versus on the day, what timed entry means for latecomers, the rules for children, babies, carers and wheelchair users, what you will see across the three floors, how long to allow, and when the London Eye combo makes sense.
The quick answer
Book online for a timed slot: the operator says same-day availability is not guaranteed and on-the-door prices are higher. Children under 2 go free but still need a ticket, under-16s must be with an adult aged 18 or over, and the London listing states that carers go free. Allow roughly one and a half to two hours.
Should I buy SEA LIFE London tickets online or on the day?
Online. The operator's own site says same-day availability is not guaranteed and that on-the-door prices are higher than online prices.
The official site puts it plainly: book online to guarantee entry, with free rescheduling, and expect to pay more at the door. Online prices also vary with available capacity, so a quiet weekday slot booked early tends to cost less than a busy one booked late.
Booking through GetYourGuide gives you the same timed e-ticket. The London listing states free cancellation up to 24 hours before, which is useful if the weather or your plans change.
Timed entry booked ahead, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before on the London listing.
Book thisWhat happens if I am late for my SEA LIFE London time slot?
The London listing states that you must arrive at the time shown on your e-ticket. It does not say how much leeway, if any, is given.
Entry is timed to spread visitors through the building. Because the listing does not state a grace period, treat your slot as fixed and aim to be at County Hall a little early, especially if you are crossing Westminster Bridge from the north bank or coming off the London Eye.
If you can see you will miss the slot, check the rescheduling or cancellation options on your booking before the time passes rather than turning up late and hoping.
What are the age rules for SEA LIFE London?
The London listing states that under-16s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over, and that children under 2 go free but still need a ticket.
- Under 2: free, but book a ticket for them so they are counted for your slot.
- Under 16: must be with an adult aged 18 or over.
- Teenagers visiting alone: not possible under 16 on this listing.
Add the free infant ticket at the same time as the paying tickets, so the whole group shares one entry time.
Do carers go free at SEA LIFE London, and is it wheelchair accessible?
The London listing states that a carer goes free and that the aquarium is wheelchair accessible, with a maximum of ten wheelchairs in the building at once.
The ten-wheelchair cap is the detail most visitors miss. On busy days, a timed slot booked ahead is the sensible way to make sure your visit fits within it; if you are unsure, contact the operator before you travel.
The listing also states that flash photography is not allowed, which matters for anyone planning to photograph the animals.
What is inside SEA LIFE London?
The London listing describes 14 themed zones over 3 floors, with more than 500 species, 65 displays and 10 shark species under the glass Shark Walk.
- Shark Walk: a glass platform with sharks swimming below.
- Polar Adventure: home to gentoo penguins.
- Ocean Invaders: the jellyfish zone.
- Rainforest Adventure, Coral Kingdom and Open Oceans.
- The Aquarium Tunnel and a Rockpool zone.
The route runs through the zones in order, so you see them as a sequence rather than choosing your own path.
Fourteen zones over three floors in County Hall, from the Shark Walk to the gentoo penguins, on a timed e-ticket.
Book thisHow long do you need at SEA LIFE London?
The operator says most visitors spend around one and a half to two hours. More on timing across the chain is in our guide to visit length.
That estimate makes SEA LIFE London a half-day activity at most, which is why it pairs easily with the London Eye or a South Bank walk. Families with young children who linger at the penguins and the Rockpool may sit at the upper end of the range.
For a comparison with other SEA LIFE aquariums, see how long to allow at SEA LIFE.
What time does SEA LIFE London open?
Opening hours vary by day. On the day checked, it opened at 10am and closed at 5pm, with last entry at 4pm.
Treat 10am as typical rather than fixed, and check the hours for your exact date on the operator's site before you book. Last entry is usually an hour before closing, so a late-afternoon slot leaves little room if you are delayed.
Early slots tend to be calmer, which helps in the narrower zones and at the Shark Walk.
Is the SEA LIFE and London Eye combo ticket worth it?
It suits visitors who want both attractions in one trip. The combo listing states it is valid for 90 days, and the London Eye slot must be booked separately at no cost.
The combo listing explains the practical steps: at SEA LIFE, go to the Ticket Holder's Entrance (marked with a shark picture); for the London Eye, book your ride slot separately at no extra cost, then join queue A 30 minutes before that slot. The Eye ride lasts about 30 minutes.
The 90-day validity gives flexibility if you are not sure which day you will visit. The combo listing also states free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Both South Bank sights on one booking, valid for 90 days on the combo listing.
Book thisFrequently asked questions
Do babies need a ticket for SEA LIFE London?
Yes. The London listing states that children under 2 go free but still need a ticket.
Can a 14-year-old visit SEA LIFE London alone?
No. The London listing states that under-16s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.
Is SEA LIFE London the same building as the London Eye?
No. SEA LIFE London is inside County Hall, next to the London Eye. The two can be booked together on the combo ticket.
Can I take photos inside SEA LIFE London?
The London listing states that flash photography is not allowed. It does not mention a wider photo ban.
Ready to book
Choose your aquarium
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Timed e-tickets on GetYourGuide.
SEA LIFE London Entry Ticket
- Entry to SEA LIFE London Aquarium at your booked time slot
- Mobile e-ticket: scan it at the timed-entry door
- Infants under 2 free, but they still need a ticket; under-16s with an adult aged 18 or over
SEA LIFE London & London Eye Combo Ticket
The two County Hall neighbours on one booking: the aquarium at your timed slot, then a 30-minute rotation on the London Eye. The listing states the combo is valid for 90 days and that the Eye time slot is booked separately at no cost, so read the voucher before you set off.
