Is everything outdoors?
Living Coasts has indoor exhibits and underwater viewing areas, indoor play areas, and also outdoor habitats and exhibits. There's plenty to do at Living Coasts whatever the weather!

Is there a cafe?
Yes, Living Coasts has a large cafe and terrace where you can enjoy a light breakfast, traditional lunch or afternoon tea. Outside, near the Ice Cream Station, there is a small picnic area where you can enjoy your own lunch or one of our delicious organic ice creams.

Is Living Coasts accessible for wheelchairs?
Yes. Living Coasts supports access for all and is open to everyone. Please check the page on accessibility for full details. If you have any questions please call us and we'll be happy to help.

Does Living Coasts have an impact on local wildlife?
We hope that we will raise awareness of local species and their conservation. There is no substitute for seeing wildlife in the wild, but it is far easier to see some species close-up here rather than at natural sites. Living Coasts is developing close links with local and national marine conservation groups such as Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust, the Marine Conservation Society and the Shark Trust.

Where have the animals at Living Coasts come from?
They have all come from captive breeding and/or rescue programmes in Europe, South Africa or North America.

Isn’t it cruel to keep seabirds beside the sea?
No. The excellent facilities at Living Coasts enable species to exhibit their natural behaviours. Going out to sea is about food, and as food is provided there is no need for them to go great distances to forage. There is no evidence for wanderlust – the theory that birds desire to fly long distances. Sea birds neither recognise nor pine for the oceans. All seabirds benefit from sea breezes and cool seawater – they help prevent a lung disease called aspergillosis.

How do the species cope with urban noise?
They are sociable and noisy themselves! They have witnessed the Red Arrows and firework displays without any bother – firework displays have been moved away from Living Coasts to avoid hot debris falling on the net.

Do they create a noise problem themselves?
No more than cars, boats and people…

Which Living Coasts species are migratory?
Many of the species at Living Coasts disperse out to sea in winter but are not truly migratory. ‘Nomadic’ is probably a better term. They go where the food is and to sheltered places where they can avoid bad weather.

Do you clip the birds’ wings?
The majority of birds at Living Coasts do not have clipped wings and are free to fly anywhere they like, but most choose to stay in their preferred habitat zone. Some of the waterfowl were pinioned (the tip of one wing was snipped off just after hatching) before they came here. This is helpful because large ducks like eiders, although fast and powerful fliers, are not very agile and might crash into objects (or visitors) or land in the seal pool.

Why can’t the ducks fly? Will any ducklings born here be able to fly?
See previous answer. It is likely that the chicks of heavy seabirds would be pinioned at hatching but this would be judged on a ‘case-by-case’ basis.

What happens if you get a hole in the net?
We have a remarkable ‘flying carpet’ net that, using ropes and pulleys, can be placed underneath a breach in the net to effect a temporary repair.

Is our feed fish sustainably caught?
It is bought through local agents and is thought to be from sustainable sources.