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Riverwatch Aquarium

PLEASE NOTE THE RIVERWATCH AQUARIUM & VISITOR CENTRE IS CURRENTLY CLOSED. 

THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WHEN IT RE-OPENS.


 

The Riverwatch Aquarium and Visitor Centre at Loughs Agency’s headquarters in Derry~Londonderry, offers visitors a window on the exciting underwater worlds of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. A visit to the centre shows how our waters are teeming with life and waiting to be explored.

The aquarium creates a wondrous, even spectacular, environment. Its dramatically lit tanks and their intriguing residents are undoubtedly the star attraction for visitors. The aquarium has seven different tanks, each showcasing a distinct sea or freshwater habitat and containing a variety of native species. The tanks house creatures from the deep sea, loughs and rock pools, as well as freshwater species from our rivers, lakes, canals, streams and ponds.

Live lobsters, crabs, starfish, coalfish and blennies can be viewed in the lough, deep sea and seashore tanks. In our inland waterways tanks, see roach, sticklebacks, minnows and other freshwater fish. We never cease to be thrilled by the delight on people’s faces, especially children’s, when they find themselves up close, often for the first time, with live fish and crustaceans.

The Riverwatch centre uses film and interpretive displays to bring the story of our waters to life. In the centre’s grounds, on the banks of the River Foyle, a bird-hide and short woodland walk give visitors a fuller appreciation of our environment in all its wonderful diversity.

We want the public to understand the impact of life today on our environment and on the creatures living in our seas and rivers, loughs and streams. We also place a heavy emphasis on fun. Our activity packs help children engage with and understand these habitats and their inhabitants.

We hope visitors will enjoy the Riverwatch Aquarium and fall in love with, and respect, the natural environment.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

21 April 1926 to 8 September 2022