Visiting Nausicaá

Visiting Nausicaá in Boulogne-sur-Mer: an unforgettable experience

Fancy uncovering the secrets and mysteries of the ocean?

Then a visit to Nausicaá should hit the spot! Between the largely ecology-focused exhibitions and watching marine species such as sharks, penguins and a range of tropical fish, Nausicaá is the perfect place for a wonderful family outing.

Planning to spend one or several days on the Opal Coast? Perfect. To satisfy that urge to get away from it all, nothing beats a walk along the Wimereux seafront or at Cap Blanc-Nez. A few kilometres away, a visit to Nausicaá in Boulogne-sur-Mer will carry you into the heart of the vast marine world.

Lovely aquarium, I went with a friend and her grandad, who had to do the route in a wheelchair, and it went really well. The lifts were clearly signposted. The staff were friendly and helpful.

I was also impressed by the new immersive experience.

I really do recommend this aquarium, which, despite some past issues, keeps trying to reinvent itself and bring in new things.

Fantastic! Amazing. An extraordinary day awaits… Young and old, captivated and delighted. The price is justified given the quality of the tanks.

A relaxing experience, with beautifully crafted soundscapes

I'd happily come back every year

Great, very informative, beautiful tanks. Not many people as it was a Monday…👍 so perfect for taking it all in at a relaxed pace.

The restaurant is exemplary!! Homemade food I think — I hesitated, worried I'd end up in some industrial cafeteria, but I was completely wrong!

And the staff were simply as kind as we're sadly no longer used to. I had a wonderful day.

The health protocol, with clear signage, was well respected, with hand gel regularly available along the route.

One small downside: the number of visitors that day felt excessive for the health protocol in place, it was genuinely quite stifling in some spots…

The gift shop is nice and there's something for everyone, young and old…

I'd recommend this visit on quieter days…

It's a cool, enjoyable place to do once with kids.

That said, we expected to see more 🦈 and bigger aquarium tunnels.

That said, it's still a good visit and a good day out.

As for the meal, it's a bit pricey, but the food quality was there, so it's fine — it's not outrageously expensive either.

The gift shop is nice, could be improved.

The visit to Nausicaá in Boulogne-sur-Mer, a moment full of emotion

Have you ever seen a giant turtle, or the lord of the seas? Well, here's your chance! Your visit to Nausicaá in Boulogne-sur-Mer is likely to leave you wide-eyed. The marine species here are numerous and unusual. The national sea centre promises a genuine immersive journey into the depths of the ocean. During your visit, you'll be able to admire:

Have you ever touched the belly of a ray, or the back of a small dogfish? Around the touch pool, an iconic spot in the complex, children, adults (and big kids!) all gather. Yes, really! For years now, discovering these naturally curious creatures has remained a genuine hit. So, ready to dip your hand into the touch pool?

• tropical fish such as the humphead wrasse and the lyretail hogfish;
• reptiles and amphibians (gecko, chameleon, caiman, etc.);
• cold-water, freshwater and temperate-water fish;

The exhibitions and events run by the national sea centre

Nausicaá is more than just an aquarium: it's a key player in the fight for the environment.

Planning your visit to the largest aquarium in Europe

How do you prepare your visit to the national sea centre? How long does a visit to Nausicaá take? What are the opening hours? In this article, Wimereux-Tourisme sums up the essential practical information you need to know!