Booking choice: The SEA LIFE Orlando ticket, timed entry with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Book this Compare the options below
The names overlap, and in Orlando both brands are present, which makes the mix-up easy. A SEA LIFE ticket does not get you into SeaWorld, and the reverse is also true.
This guide sets out who runs SEA LIFE, who runs SeaWorld, and which other similarly named aquariums are separate businesses, so you book the place you actually mean.
The quick answer
SEA LIFE and SeaWorld are different companies. SEA LIFE is a chain of indoor aquariums owned by Merlin Entertainments; SeaWorld is a set of marine parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio run by United Parks & Resorts. Sea Life Park Hawaii, The Deep in Hull and OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale are unrelated to both.
Who owns SEA LIFE?
Merlin Entertainments. SEA LIFE is its aquarium brand, with about fifty aquariums.
Merlin's 2023 release describes 50 aquariums and six sanctuaries, more than 20 million guests a year and the BREED, RESCUE, PROTECT conservation programme. Merlin itself is owned by KIRKBI, Blackstone and CPPIB. The first Sea Life Centre opened in Oban, Scotland, in 1979.
Several SEA LIFE aquariums began under other names and were rebranded after Merlin bought them: London opened in 1997 as the London Aquarium, Minnesota in 1996 as UnderWater World, and Bangkok in 2005 as Siam Ocean World. Older guidebooks and maps may still use those names, which adds to the confusion.
Who owns SeaWorld?
SeaWorld parks are run by United Parks & Resorts, a separate company from Merlin.
SeaWorld operates marine parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio. These are parks, not single aquarium buildings, so they are planned and ticketed differently. A SEA LIFE ticket is for one aquarium building.
Is SEA LIFE Orlando part of SeaWorld Orlando?
No. SEA LIFE Orlando is a Merlin aquarium at ICON Park on International Drive, and is separate from SeaWorld Orlando.
SEA LIFE Orlando has more than 5,000 creatures, Florida's only 360-degree ocean tunnel according to the operator, a Jelly Wall and the Coastal Rockpool touch pool. The Orlando listing gives a visit of one to two hours.
On the day checked it opened from 10am to 6pm, with last admission at 5pm. A behind-the-scenes tour and a VR experience are offered as extras.
SEA LIFE Orlando at ICON Park: the ocean tunnel, Jelly Wall and touch pool in one to two hours.
Book thisIs Sea Life Park Hawaii a SEA LIFE aquarium?
No. Sea Life Park Hawaii, on Oahu, is unrelated to the Merlin SEA LIFE chain despite the similar name.
The spelling is close enough that searches return both. If you are booking in Hawaii, check the operator name on the ticket: a Merlin SEA LIFE ticket will not be valid there.
Is The Deep in Hull a SEA LIFE?
No. The Deep in Hull is an independent charity aquarium, opened in 2002, and not part of Merlin.
Visitors to the north of England sometimes assume that any large UK aquarium is a SEA LIFE. The Deep is not, and its tickets are sold separately.
Is SEA LIFE Arizona the same as OdySea Aquarium?
No. SEA LIFE Arizona is in Arizona Mills mall in Tempe; OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale is independent, opened in 2016 and is much larger.
SEA LIFE Arizona covers 26,000 square feet, with Arizona's only 360-degree ocean tunnel according to the operator, and a 161,000-gallon green sea turtle display that is home to the rescued turtles Ziva and Donna. It suits a shorter visit, and LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona is next door.
SEA LIFE Arizona at Arizona Mills: a 360-degree tunnel and the rescued turtles Ziva and Donna.
Book thisAre LEGOLAND Discovery Center and Madame Tussauds related to SEA LIFE?
Yes. Both are Merlin brands, which is why they are often sold in combo tickets with a nearby SEA LIFE.
- Orlando: SEA LIFE with Madame Tussauds in ICON Park.
- Arizona: SEA LIFE with LEGOLAND Discovery Center next door.
- London: SEA LIFE with the London Eye beside County Hall.
How these combos fit into the price picture is covered in our SEA LIFE discounts guide.
Which should I choose, SEA LIFE or SeaWorld?
They suit different trips. SEA LIFE is an indoor aquarium visit of roughly one to two hours; SeaWorld is a marine park planned as a longer outing.
If you want a shorter indoor activity that fits around other plans, SEA LIFE is the better fit. In Orlando, SEA LIFE sits in ICON Park, where the Madame Tussauds combo is valid for 15 days from first visit according to the operator, so it can slot into a day with other plans on International Drive. In London, the flagship SEA LIFE sits next to the London Eye, and the operator estimates one and a half to two hours.
SEA LIFE London, the flagship: 14 zones over 3 floors in County Hall, on a timed e-ticket.
Book thisFrequently asked questions
Is SEA LIFE owned by SeaWorld?
No. SEA LIFE is owned by Merlin Entertainments. SeaWorld parks are run by United Parks & Resorts.
Can I use a SEA LIFE ticket at SeaWorld Orlando?
No. They are different companies and different venues, so tickets are not interchangeable.
Is Sea Life Park Hawaii part of SEA LIFE?
No. Sea Life Park Hawaii on Oahu is unrelated to the Merlin SEA LIFE chain.
Is OdySea Aquarium bigger than SEA LIFE Arizona?
Yes. OdySea in Scottsdale is independent and much larger than SEA LIFE Arizona in Tempe.
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Choose your aquarium
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Timed e-tickets on GetYourGuide.
SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium in ICON Park
- Entry to SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium
- The 360-degree ocean tunnel, Jelly Wall and Coastal Rockpool touch pool
- Daily feed talks, as described by the operator
SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium General Admission
Arizona's 360-degree tunnel and two rescued sea turtles
SEA LIFE London Entry Ticket
- Entry to SEA LIFE London Aquarium at your booked time slot
- Mobile e-ticket: scan it at the timed-entry door
- Infants under 2 free, but they still need a ticket; under-16s with an adult aged 18 or over
