Opening:10:00 Closing: 5.00pm Last Admissions: 4.15pm
Sealife Adventure is committed to promoting an atmosphere of fun within a safe disability assisted environment.
We manage this by:
Statement & general terms for public safety and disabled people.
This guide will assist our guests with disabilities to ensure that they have a safe and thrilling day out! We want all our guests to get the most out of our aquarium and enjoy as many of our facilities as possible.
This guide has been produced to give you a full and realistic picture of our attractions, detailing issues, restrictions, details of evacuations and the requirements for helpers/carers to accompany guests.
Parking
Sealife Adventure does not have its own car park. However there is a large council owned, pay and display car park next to the centre’s main entrance.
If you require help once parked, given notice, we will assist in any way possible.
If you have a disabled parking badge there are adequate provisions provided in this council car park. If you have any questions then the council car park number is 01702 3 31326.
Entrance/exits
Our main entrance is flat and has no steps. There are no turnstiles to enter the building. There is adequate signage throughout the building.
Ticket and wristband Sales
There are four, well lit admission points within the main entrance foyer and the Customer Services desk is situated opposite.
Sealife Adventure’s current policy on ticket & wristband sales for disabilities entitles the carer to a wristband for half price. Please note that carers must be over the age of 18 to be responsible for anyone they wish to accompany, assist and care for.
Carers may not enter the aquarium alone on a carer wristband.
For group or advance bookings, or for further information please call customer services on 01702 442200. Customer services can also advise you on the best visiting periods to avoid queuing.
Guide Dogs
Registered Guide Dogs are very welcome at Sealife Adventure, as long as they are on a leash or harness with their Hi-Vis Jacket. We encourage guests with Guide Dogs to carry their documentation on them at all times. As we are a no pet’s attraction, security personal may ask to see registration or disability documentation.
Wheelchairs
All wheelchair users must provide their own assistant. Wheelchairs can be obtained locally from Southend tourist information centre. Advanced notice is required and you can book by calling 01702 215120. (Subject to availability).
First Aid
The first aid station is located at customer services. It is manned during opening hours by qualified general first aider’s. If you require first aid, please contact a member of staff who are located throughout the centre and clearly identified by their uniform.
Toilets
As well as general toilets, we have a disabled facility. It is located in the yellow beach hut in the main foyer. There is also an allocated baby changing room on-site, as well as an extra baby-changing station located within the disabled toilet!
Telephone
In the event of emergency customer services may assist with a telephone. There are pay phones located outside the building on the main road.
The following signs are stated recommendations and our guidelines only. Please ensure your disability meets the safety directive.
As with all areas, disability signs are for your consideration and are our recommendations only. In general we consider Sea-Life Adventure a wheelchair assisted friendly attraction. Not recommended for visitors with severe sight impairment due to dim lighting for the protection of the sea life. For further information please call the help desk 01702 442200
The Sea-Life Adventure aquarium is a mainly visual experience and are therefore not recommended for visitors with sight impairment. Learning about the sea life is an audio and visual experience and the quality of the visit will be affected if you have a hearing impairment. Some dim lighting is used to protect the sea life. All the aquariums are low level and have full glass frontage. All areas are considered wheelchair accessible with a carer. Parts of the quarantine areas are narrow but accessible to wheelchair users with carers.
The three shells at Sealife Adventure restaurant is fully wheelchair accessible and is well illuminated with staff on hand to assist. There is a service bell at the order and pay counter. The menu serves a variety of hot and cold food and drink and the meals are bought to your table. There is a step leading to all exits onto the main parade but a flat access is located at the main entrance.
There are areas within the centre with low lighting for effect and to create atmosphere and these may be unsuitable for those with visual impairments without a carer or assistance.
The displays are fully accessible for wheel chair users and for those with walking disabilities but parts of the attraction do have steep slopes, or charges in flooring texture so a carer may be required at certain times.