‘Dive In’ – Discovering Galway Atlantaquaria
‘Dive In’ – Discovering Galway Atlantaquaria
By Tom Sansom
A hidden world of wonder is waiting to be discovered, just a stone’s throw away from the vibrant heart of Galway.
Follow the call of the ocean down to the coastal region of Salthill, and dive into Galway Atlantaquaria to meet
the stunning marine life, from beneath the Irish waters.
You will be instantly immersed by the enchanting sounds of the sea, as after passing through the entrance, the
journey begins at the surging Splash Tank.
A shoal of sea bass live amongst the man-made current, which is designed to emulate the unpredictable elements of the choppy Irish coast-lines. Watch as the torrents of sea-water cascade across the rocky reef, and witness the wet and wild Atlantic without the need for a wet suit or snorkel.
Whilst you can explore the aquarium in any way you’d like, the recommended route is to begin around the sea-bed
before heading for the surface. The best advice for any visit is rather simple; take your time, soak in the senses, and
lose yourself amongst the awe-inspiring ocean life.
Be sure to observe the unique ‘fish eye view’ from the submarine model, that stands across from the upcoming
shallow pool of sharks and rays. These carnivorous cousins glide harmoniously alongside one-another, as a variety of
spotted dog-fish live amongst these angels of the Atlantic.
From the spiny to the lesser-spotted dog-fish, these icons of the Irish waters got their canine namesake from the
fisherman of old, who thought their pack hunting resembled that of salty sea dogs.
The rays are also quite the showmen, as these inquisitive creatures flap along the surface, and wave their fins at the visiting tourists.
Next comes the task that you can thank Disney and Pixar for, as a beautiful display of blue tangs and clownfish sees
every child and parent attempt to find Nemo and Dory. Next door to these aquatic celebrities is the stay-at-home
dads of the sea, as it’s in-fact the male seahorses that birth the young, in what was just one of the countless pieces
of oceanic trivia, that you’ll learn throughout the visit.
Whilst it is easy to get swept up in the excitement of the aquatic creatures, take a moment to read through the many
information points that populate the walls. The team at the Galway Atlantaquaria have done a fantastic job in
making each plaque, sign and poster engaging and informative, without any overbearing scientific jargon.
The visit continues through the Harbour section, as this unique theme showcases the marine life that lives close to
home. From the colossal conga eel to the luminescent blue lobsters, this section stood out for the creative port-side
displays. The walk-through then heads upstairs, where an incredible 60ft fin whale skeleton is displayed from the
ceiling. Be sure to look up for an imposing sense of scale, as you pass beneath this monster of the deep, that is said
to be named ‘Grainne’.
Loop around the Bearna log boot for an old-timey taste of life at sea, before kicking your feet up to watch a short
documentary in the AV room. The last few tanks you’ll encounter are some of the most special, as the aquarium
presents a handful of shark and skate nurseries, which are home to the most adorable dog-fish pups.
Before you make it back to dry land, there is one final stop in the way of the gift shop. From small mementos like
magnets and key-rings, to science kits to inspire the future of marine biologists, take a minute to browse around,
before then picking up a coffee from the Seapoint promenade.
Credits
Galway Atlantaquaria would like to thank Tom Sansom for not only visiting the Aquarium, but also sharing his thoughts through the written blog. We wish Tom all the best in the development of his career as a travel and tourism writer.
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