The National Marine Aquarium occupies a large modern building right on the Barbican waterfront and is the biggest aquarium in the UK. The main exhibits cover the Atlantic Ocean from rock pools around Plymouth Sound through to deep-sea environments, with particular emphasis on British waters and the marine life of the English Channel.
The shark tank is the centrepiece — a walk-through tunnel lets you watch sand tiger sharks and rays moving overhead. There are also large displays on coral reefs and conservation work. The aquarium is operated as a charity with genuine research and conservation programmes, which distinguishes it from purely commercial operations. Allow two to three hours. Tickets are not cheap, but the location next to the Barbican makes it easy to combine with lunch and a walk along the quay.