Welcome to our News Update for Summer 2026, if you are visiting the SEA LIFE Hunstanton, don´t forget to purchase your entrance tickets in advance.
Common Seal Pup Rescue Season 2026!
NEW ARRIVAL - MEET OPAL - Opal´s journey began on the 9th of July 2026 where she was rescued on Hunstanton beach by SEA LIFE´s animal care team, where she was found fighting for survival.
Despite being severely dehydrated, malnourished, and battling worms, this common seal pup´s spirit remained unbroken. Now in the rescue hospital for expert care and rehabilitation, Opal is defying the odds and already showing remarkable signs of improvement!
Update : 8th August 2026 - Have you seen the adorable rescued common seal pup Opal?
Pop down to the SEA LIFE Hunstanton soon to meet her while you can!
Attention all turtle lovers!
Ernie, the Green Sea Turtle, has embarked on his next big adventure and left SEA LIFE Hunstanton at the end of June 2026!
Hope you had the chance to say cheerio to Ernie before he left - turtley amazing animal.
Meet Olive - the rescued Loggerhead Sea Turtle!
Olive is a baby loggerhead sea turtle who was washed ashore in Scotland during severe weather. She first made her way to SEA LIFELoch Lomond, before settling in with the specialist team in SEA LIFE Hunstanton and beginning her rehabilitation journey. Following initial veterinary assessments and care from the specialist team, she has now recovered enough to be on display.
The team will continue caring for Olive, supporting her while she regains her strength, and is ready to be re-released into the wild. Come see her in the SEA LIFEHunstanton´s hospital.
Update 13th June 2026 : Loggerhead turtles are one of the largest species of turtle, so you can see Olive still has lots of growing to do! Young turtles are quite small can be swept across the ocean by powerful currents. This brings them closer to the UK where the waters are much colder. Most turtles found in the UK are young and still have lots to learn to stay safe.
The Team continues to work with Olive to make sure she is nice and strong before releasing her back out into warmer waters!
Have you noticed the new Lumpsucker fish during your recent visits??? - These tiny round little fish are found in cold northern waters and have powerful suction discs!!
They are clumsy swimmers without a swim bladder, using their suction cups to anchor tightly to rocks and seaweed against rough waves.
Also these Lumpsuckers or lumpfish are mostly small scorpaeniform marine fish of the family Cyclopteridae.
Did you know...Lionfish (genus Pterois) are venomous marine fish native to the Indo-Pacific. They are characterized by conspicuous warning coloration with red or black bands and ostentatious dorsal fins tipped with venomous spines.
Did you know...Cuvier´s Dwarf Caimen Crocodiles (Paleosuchus Palpebrosus) are at threat from deforestation, pollution, hunting and collection for the pet trade. Conservation status - Population numbers are strong and abundant. Caimans likes to eat crustaceans, fish and small birds. They can grow up to 1.6 metres in size! Habitat - Fast flowing freshwater rivers and streams, flooded forests, and large lakes in South America. Did you know...Crocodiles can live for up to 80 years!
Thornback Ray (Raja clavata) is found in the Atlantic coastal waters of Europe and western Africa. It is also present from South Africa to the southwestern Indian Ocean and in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. It is native possibly as far south as Namibia and South Africa. Its natural habitats are open large seas and shallow seas. It is sometimes seen trapped in large estuarine pools at low tide.
Rays are one of the most graceful and beautiful creatures in the ocean...But watch out they can have a very strong bite! They live for a very long time and reproduce slowly. This means that they are often caught before they have a chance to breed.
Plastiglomerates??? - Plastic pollution that looks like rocks and pebbles is being found on beaches across the globe, including Norfolk. Do you know what are...Plastiglomerates?
Impacts on Marine Debris - Many different species of marine life are affected by entanglement from marine debris; from cetaceans, turtles, sea birds and seals. Each year the rate of entanglements around the UK has increased, causing serious welfare implications for a large number of species.
There are 34 pinniped species around the world, inhabiting different areas of the globe, and just over 55% of these are affected by some form of marine entanglement.
What´s your next adventure?
Why not unlock the secrets of the rainforest ranger basecamp, where incredible animals from around the world await! Our passionate Rangers, can´t wait to share their expertise with you.
And, get ready to meet the newest team member, the amazing duo Gary and Gordon! Yes, we are talking about Chameleon, but Gary the Rainforest Ranger is very cool too!
The most MERMAZING News!
Did you join the SEA LIFE Hunstanton for a magical, after-hours mer-people shows which took place on 28th & 29th May 2026, 27th & 28th July 2026 and 25th & 26th August 2026!
Quiet Time at the Aquarium!
On the first Sunday of every month SEA LIFE Hunstanton are running Quiet Time at the Aquarium sessions during the final hour of opening.
These sessions provide a quieter experience for those with Autism and other neurodiverse conditions.
The centre´s music, hand driers and televisions will be switched off. And the Staff will have ear defenders and stickers available, should you need them.
Beneath the waves, incredible animals face challenges every single day. From pollution, to changing oceans and lost habitats - ocean life needs our help more than ever.
Dive in and join the Sea Creature Rescue Squad, where you´ll learn about the ways you can protect them between 11th July and 6th September 2026.
What´s included:-
- Follow the activity trail around the aquarium. - Take on all the challenges and write your answers down before making your pledge to protect the oceans. - Reward for completing the activity. - Photo opportunities.
Did you know you can get up close and personal with our resident seals in one of our incredible VIP Experiences?
- Feed the seals their fishy feed - but watch out, they like to splash!
- Meet our resident seals
- Learn about their diet and unique personalities
- Entry to SEA LIFE Hunstanton included
A BRAND NEW...Meet the Penguins experience! is now live! Come and join SEA LIFE Hunstanton for the experience of a lifetime! Get face to flipper with the penguins, and help the aquarists with some of the penguins favourite activities. You´ll have access to the centre, but please arrive before last admissions to explore!h
SEAL SAFETY : Common Seal Pupping Season is happening now (from May to August) and many visitors in Norfolk will be flocking to North Norfolk beaches to see them.
Many of us will spend our summer months on the beach, with games to enjoy in the sun. Switching from a flying ring (hollow) to a solid disc (like a Frisbee) means there is one less danger in the water for young seal pups, who may get them caught around their necks.
Businesses who stop selling flying rings can sign up to the North North District Council´s Seal of Approval campaign and be sent a window sticker and certificate for their shop. By proudly displaying this certificate, they show their commitment to seal safety and become advocates in their community.
Flying rings aren´t the only hazard to seals - human intervention and dogs are a big cause of seal injuries.
Find out how to safely see Seals and other interesting facts about them via www.rspca.org.uk/seals.
Photo Credit : Cornish Seal Sanctuary
Whilst you walk around Hunstanton sea front / promenade and also in local car parks, you may notice that the council have added "no flying rings on beaches" signs on their boards!
Would you like to Sponsor an Animal?
Help make a real difference to the conservation work and breeding programs at SEA LIFE Hunstanton.
Your Adoption will Help to make a real difference to the conservation work and breeding programmes at SEA LIFE Hunstanton. A SEA LIFE adoption also makes a fantastic gift.
For over 37 years SEA LIFE Hunstanton has been rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing seal pups from the North Sea coastline and beyond that find themselves in trouble, whether it be eye problems, respiratory infections and malnourishment to broken bones, pollution-related problems and being separated from their mother too soon.
A quick reminder that if you discover a seal pup that is in distress or alone, please call the SEA LIFE Hunstanton on 01485 533576 and/or the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) team on 01825 765546.
The Animal Care Team are on call around the clock to race to the rescue of seal pups in trouble anywhere around the coast.
DO keep your distance;
DON´T attempt to handle or touch the pup;
DON´T attempt to put the pup back in the sea;
DON´T ignore the situation;
DO tell the appropriate organisation.
When you ring, please be prepared to give an exact location of the seal, your contact details, what condition is the seal in for example is it alone, thin, injured or seems unwell (noisy breathing, coughing, runny nose). Tell people around you to keep clear of the seal by at least 100 metres, if you can, draw a circle in the sand around the pup.
Remember most often seals come out of the water on to land to rest, digest after eating their food, relax and sleep.
If you come across seals resting on a beach, please give them plenty of space and avoid approaching them.
The Defra Marine and Coastal Wildlife Code recommends staying at least 100 metres away from marine wildlife - this helps to protect the seal´s well-being as well as your own.
This photo (below) was taken with a Canon 7D camera and a 14mm-400mm lens!
If you come across a dead seal, the advice is not to touch or go near it, please call West Norfolk council on 01553 616200.
If you find a stranded living marine animal, please call the SEA LIFE Hunstanton on 01485 533576 and/or the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) team on 01825 765546.
Here are the front covers of the Sanctuary´s Guide book.
If during your next visit you purchase a copy, the profits go towards the care of the rescued seal pups in the hospital.
Click here to download SEA LIFEHunstanton´s leaflet
This news update has been put together by volunteers/supporters of the SEA LIFE Hunstanton
