Galway Atlantaquaria

01/06/2026

Jump for JOY! June in the Aquarium 🩵
This month promises to be a lot of fun and we are excited to see you in the Aquarium and on the shore.
We are excited to launch our Clean Coasts funded experience with "Mindful Steps by the Sea" with MindSli We also hope to have some more World Ocean Day activities in the Aquarium,
We have plans to host two days of EMD from the 16th and 17th of June.
This means that there is a lot happening in June. Don't miss out and keep an eye on our events page for more details on bookings and events coming up.
EU Maritime & Fish Explore Your Shore

31/05/2026

Thank you Galway Advertiser for promoting our free upcoming experiences on the shore, this is a great opportunity to learn what the ocean teaches us. Book today, links on our website/events on the shore.

On behalf of Clean Coasts funding, Galway Atlantaquaria and MindSli are delighted to announce a brand new series of seashore experiences in Salthill for World Ocean Day, June 8.

31/05/2026

A wetlands for life inspired Biodiversity Report (full video on our YouTube Channel)
May was an incredible month for recording the biodiversity that can be found on Grattan Beach Salthill. Our Biodiversity tally so far is;
🐛1
🐤8
🦀100,000,00000 (Springtail Swarms)
🦋1
🌼22
What will you discover in June, why not join the Explore Your Shore or Clean Coasts Observer and help record Biodiversity too?
Have a happy June.

30/05/2026

LET'S GO - Visit The Aquarium 🩵
The Aquarium offers its visitors a really unique and authentic experience of the marine life found in our lakes, rivers, and Ocean. From Octopus, to Crustaceans, and the Fish that swim beneath us, you will have a great time learning about them. Enjoy your visit

29/05/2026

Springtail Swarms on Grattan Beach Salthill 🐛SUPER SLOW MOW 🐌
Probably the most captivating event and experience to record on Grattan Beach, and a mystery that still is unsolved. Since December of 2025 these swarms of Collembola have taken over the upper shore in the BILLIONS. Every morning they appear and feed on the drift seaweed, they jump and gather in swarms many thousands strong.
We have gathered so much footage, as in identifying the species you need some detailed imagery, yet even so we cannot ID with 100% clarity.

WHY are these important to record? This is a champion!
🐛It is a significant sign of biodiversity thriving and species distribution
🐛Collembola are a niche species and there is very little public information about them, this is why its a great Explore Your Shore citizen science project
🐛Collembola play a significant role in the nitrogen (N) cycle—specifically in N mineralization—by feeding on microorganisms and stimulating microbial activity. They act as intermediaries in the decomposition process, converting organic nitrogen into inorganic forms accessible to plants.
Without Collembola, soil becomes less biologically active, leading to lower rates of organic matter breakdown, lower nitrogen turnover, and less available nitrate for plants
These are one of the most hardworking and underappreciated species, so let's give them some love.

28/05/2026

See the Divers on pre-World Ocean Day -- Sunday the 7th of June🌊Competition Time
We are so grateful to UG ATUG SubAqua Club for their efforts on raising much needed funds for the RNLI.
We are giving away a family pass to see the divers and all you need to do is 'tell us who you would bring'.
Best of luck all, and its for 2 Adults and 2 Children.
RNLI, Galway Lifeboat Station
UG ATUG SubAqua Club

Reminder, we don't ask for credit card or direct you to spam sites.

28/05/2026

What will the Ocean Census of Explorers Education Programme 100th year anniversary hold?

With all the excitement of the Irish 1926 Census going online we wonder what will the 100th year anniversary hold for the Marine Institute - Foras na Mara Explorers Education Programme.
In the last 20 years we have been thrilled to be part of the programme as it went from a small trial with 10 schools, to a national programme reaching over 400, leading the way in Ocean Literacy, and celebrating Ocean Champions.

What are your hopes for the 100th year celebration?

27/05/2026

This is why we Explore The Shore! Explore Your Shore
(Scyliorhinus stellaris) Bull Huss found in the Rockpools of Grattan Beach, Salthill. A hardy species that will dig or burrow into the seaweed (even at low tide).

27/05/2026

HAPPY WORLD OTTER DAY 🩵
We are so happy to share this beautiful footage courtesy of Tom Cuffe.
One of our Actions for the Wetlands for life campaign was to select an animal champion!
We thought that the Otter (Lutra lutra) would be a brilliant choice.
As Ireland is a European hub of Otter protection and conservation, we would like to learn more about this fascinating species.


EAZA - the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria