Underwater Tunnel

Experience the water as they do by journeying through our Underwater Tunnel! At 112 metres long, the Underwater Tunnel at Deep Sea World is the longest underwater moving walkway in Europe. Because of its breathtaking size, you can leave the land behind and immerse yourself in the serenity of the water with an incredible menagerie of fish floating around you.

On display in the Tunnel are our 6 Sand Tiger Sharks, who might be a little trickier to identify! They include Lewis, Scout, Sleepy, Stumpy, Fin and Arran – give one of our staff a shout and they’ll be able to introduce you!

With every lap around the tunnel, you will discover something different. Whether it be the Atlantic Wreckfish lurking in the abyss or the elusive Cuckoo Wrasse; you will need to keep your eyes peeled as the tank’s inhabitants move around you. If you are eagled-eyed, you may even spot mermaid’s purses and shark’s teeth that are commonly found on the bed of the tank.

As well as a fantastic selection of fish, you might also spot a few humans swimming around in the tank. The Underwater Tunnel is where you are likely to see our team of divers, whether it be cleaning the tank or feeding their fishy friends, they’re usually keeping busy in the tunnel. Make sure you make their day by giving them a wave if you see them!

What is the Underwater Tunnel like?

The tunnel is designed to mimic the calmness of temperate Atlantic Ocean waters so that the fish feel right at home. As you’re transported through the tunnel, you will notice the cascading blue and green light shining through the water which will help you to imagine what it’s like to live underwater. In fact, the water in our Underwater Tunnel comes straight from the Firth of Forth, which is the estuary of several Scottish rivers.

You can get an even better feeling for life underwater during one of our diving experiences!

Mesmerising Materials

The arched shape of the acrylic gives the tunnel the strength to hold back the enormous weight of 4.5 million litres of water in the 3-metre-deep tank. In fact, the acrylic that keeps the water at bay is so strong it can withstand the weight of two fully-grown African Elephants. This acrylic is the same material used by NASA in space shuttles!

Due to the curvature and thickness of the acrylic, the animals within the tank appear to be about 30% smaller than they actually are. So, when you pay them a visit, consider that they’re really even bigger! If you fancy seeing some of these incredible animals from a bird’s eye point of view, why not book our Access All Areas experience? This allows you to go behind the scenes and get an even better look at our sharks in the main tank.

Who Is the Underwater Tunnel For?

The Tunnel is an experience that can be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in marine life at any age. The Underwater Tunnel at Deep Sea World is fun for all the family, making it a great day out to keep kids and parents alike entertained.

Accessibility

Despite the whole aquarium being wheelchair accessible, we ask that you use the flat surfaces along the side of the moving walkway to avoid damaging chairs or the walkway. The same applies to children’s prams.

Find out more about the animals

Here are some of the marine life you’ll see when traversing our Underwater Tunnel…

Sand Tiger Sharks (Carcharias taurus):

 Our Sand Tiger Sharks rule the roost at Deep Sea World and are true giants of the sea. Try and spot all six as they pass above your head.

Lesser Spotted Catshark (Scyliorhinus canicular):

This is the most commonly found shark around the UK, but they do usually spend most of their time at the bottom of the ocean. The Lesser Spotted Catshark has a slender body with a blunt head, and they can grow up to around 80cm.

Atlantic Wreckfish (Polyprion americanus):

Often found in the Amazon, these fish can grow up to 2 metres long putting them among our biggest fish in the Underwater Tunnel. You can spot them by their grumpy expression.

Eagle Ray (Myliobatidae):

Like their namesake, these rays can be seen gliding through the water very majestically. They are also some of the best animals for a quick selfie due to their smile-like expression.

Common Stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca):

 Our common stingrays are some of the cutest animals in our tank with their ever-smiling faces. Look out for Stella, our famous ray, who is always stealing the spotlight from our divers.