The Deep Tour

Come with us on a journey from the beginning of time, through the present day's oceans into the future of deep sea research.
Using a variety of hands on interactives, audiovisual presentations and living exhibits you can explore how the solar system, our planet and the oceans on which it depends arose.

A vast array of marine life can be seen in over thirty aquatic exhibits which range from the shallow tropical seas to the icy depths of the deep ocean.
You can also discover what threatens the future of our oceans and how you can help to preserve them for generations to come.

The Ocean Planet

Before entering, it's worth taking a moment to simply stand and stare at the amazing architecture of The Deep. Designed by Sir Terry Farrell the building has become an icon for Hull and Yorkshire, appearing on TV, in newspapers and now even on a Royal Mail stamp!
Take a riverside walk around the building to get up close to our local wildlife, look out for the pods of porpoises that visit in the spring, or the seals living free in the estuary.
Once inside, our spectacular Pacific kelp tank hints at what lays ahead.
We start our journey in our introduction theatre where Patrick Stewart explains that The Deep is the story of the world's oceans told through time, their past, present and future . . . so let's begin!

The Evolving Sea

Travelling through billions of years the evolving sea gallery tells the story of the seas of the past.
Why are the oceans the shape they are?
Why is the sea salty and where did the water come from?
Design your own sea monster and see it battle for survival, or wonder at the huge marine dinosaur skeletons towering above you in our fossil wall.

The Lagoon of Light

We now reach the present day, and the journey now takes you from a tropical lagoon to the ice deserts of Antarctica.
Discover the teeming life and the amazing colours and stories of a coral reef.

Tails as Sharp as Scalpels

See surgeonfish with sharp scalpels on their tails swimming in the shallow, warm lagoon waters and reveal the secrets of zooplankton, the Picasso triggerfish and the saddled butterflyfish.

The KC Discovery Corner

Here's a chance to learn more about our native shores in this interactive fun area, specially for the little ones - touch pool sessions are held regularly.

Live Coral Tank

See our live coral tank for our conservation coral breeding programmes helping to reduce the amount of live coral being taken from the wild for use in aquariums.

The Coral Realm

Heading out towards the open ocean we pass the coral wall drop off. Home to some of the larger and more adventurous reef animals, the coral wall provides a stunning underwater panorama of reef life.

Climb the Ladder into Breathtaking Coral

Gaze inside the Lagoon of Light through a bubble inside the tank. Climb the ladders to put your head amongst the breathtaking coral and tropical fish. Use the periscope to find the colourful damselfish, chocolate surgeonfish and brown banded bamboo sharks.

Can you spot me?

The first blue spotted ribbontail stingrays to be born in captivity in the UK were from the population living in this display

Long horned cow fish

With its box like body and protective horns watch it blow jets of water at the sand as it hunts for shrimps.
Regular talks and presentations will take place in this area throughout the day.

Slime!

We all need slime to help us move, digest our food and stop us getting hurt or sick. This major exhibition features both marine and land animals whose lives depend on goo!
Look out for some of the stars of the exhibition, the deadly blue poison arrow frogs and the huge giant African land snails. The Garden Eels are like the Meerkats of the ocean! They live in colonies, curiously popping up from beneath the sand.
The animals in the Slime display all have amazing stories to tell. Slimon our cartoon snail will help younger visitors understand how slime works in the wild.

Flooded Forests

Delve into the mysteries of tropical freshwater habitats. The flooded forests of the Amazon are incredible produvctive yet vulnerable environments. The Amazon basin is home to over 3000 species of freshwater fish. 

See two species of turtle. Meet veggie piranha! -  Pacu have crushing jaws mainly used for eating nuts and seeds that drop into the water. 

Also, see carniverous plants and go virtual birdwatching in Brazil with our live webcam in the Explorers' Den.

Investigate the Humber Estuary

Use the periscope to investigate the very special environment of the Humber Estuary.

The Cool Seas

Imagine a world too deep for sunlight to reach. A place of endless night, of weird and alien life forms, a place so hostile few dare to venture. Welcome to The Twilight Zone!
The Twilight Zone tells the story of the ocean depths between 200 and 1000m down.

Featuring:

Spider crabs

Bullhuss shark

Wolf eels

Flashlightfish and much more!

See the complete lifecycle of the Moon Jellyfish and the ancient Nautilus.

Kingdom of Ice

Survey Arctic wastes in the freezing Kingdom of Ice.
Feel the deep freeze of real ice walls and discover the creatures that live below zero!
Find out about the amazing Arctic Jellyfish who devours other jellyfish in its path!
See how plankton forms an ice lawn over the Arctic and how it becomes the staple diet for the incredible Krill! Learn how rising sea levels could affect your town!

Hullaballoo

A soft play area for the under 8’s themed around our great Humber Estuary, and a seated area for adults to sit down.

Deep Blue One

Now it's off to the future! Enter the compression tunnel and prepare to take command of our deep ocean research station - Deep Blue One.

At the start of the 21st century it was estimated that 80% of all pollution in the oceans came from land-based activities enterering the sea via rivers and land run-off. It is the year 2050 and Deep Blue One is minitoring the health of the world's great river systems, protecting the rivers that flow into the seas. See the Living Rivers display to discover the habitats of 5 major river systems- the Amazon, Rio Grande, Congo, Betsiboka and Mekong. Find out the amazing animals that live in each - including red bellied piranha, leaf-cutter ants, emerald tree boa, Suriname toad and blue poison arrow frogs.

Also...
Build your own sea research station
Learn what an octopus and a jet engine have in common
See how scientists will use tomorrows oceans and
Lots more!

Reflections

A Diver's Eye View Of The Ocean

Exit Deep Blue One and find yourself on the great ocean floor!
Dare to walk through the deepest viewing tunnel in Europe and find yourself 10 metres under the sea as the sharks circle above!
After the tunnel, read the panels on your left top find out about the important research that The Deep is involved with and learn more about the organisations we work with in our research and conservation activities.

The World's Only Underwater Lift

When you have gone as deep as you can go, rise to the surface with a ride in the world's only underwater lift!
The amazing acrylic lift takes you through the water in the main tank. Come face to face with sharks and rays as you get a diver's eye view of the ocean!
For those who prefer the stairs, the acrylic staircase gives you a view into the main tank on every floor.

The End Of The Journey

At the end of your journey around the world, which took you from the equator to the pole, you will have travelled through billions of years - from the surface of the waves to the inky depths of the ocean floor!

Cafés

Take a break on your journey in one of The Deep's two cafés.
Our friendly observatory café is ideally situated for a drink, snack or full meal at the beginning or end of your visit. With stunning views over the estuary, the observatory café serves light snacks and meals at everyday prices.
Or, during busier times treat yourself in the Halfway Café, located just by The Twilight Zone.

Picnics?

We provide an outdoor picnic area and an indoor facility both free of charge.

The Deepartment Store

A wide range of quality souvenirs for all ages, from toys to jewellery, from Fairtrade products to locally sourced waters.
We hope you have enjoyed this short tour, and that you will come along and pay us a visit.
The Deep is a registered charity. Your support helps us to carry on with our environmental and educational programmes.