Everything Your Family Will Discover When You Dive Beneath the Waves at The Deep This February Half-Term

The February half-term is just around the corner, and finding something to keep the whole family entertained can be a bit of a challenge. But Hull's iconic aquarium, The Deep, has something special planned. This year, visitors are invited to explore the theme of love in the animal kingdom with a brand new event. From the 14th to the 22nd of February, the ‘Love Beneath the Waves’ event will be taking over the aquarium, offering a unique look into how marine creatures find their mates and raise their families. It’s a chance to see a different side of nature, filled with weird, wonderful, and genuinely sweet behaviours. It promises to be a fantastic school holiday activity that’s both fun and packed with brilliant facts.

What's all the fuss about beneath the waves?

So, what exactly is happening during this special event? Timed perfectly around Valentine's Day, ‘Love Beneath the Waves’ connects the human idea of love with the amazing world of nature. It’s not about hearts and flowers, but about the real-life courtship rituals that happen deep in our oceans. Think of it as a nature documentary, but you get to see the stars of the show right in front of you. This event is designed to be a brilliant experience for visitors of all ages.

There will be live presentations happening twice a day, at 12pm and 2pm. These aren't boring lectures; they are packed with interactive games and fun facts that will get everyone involved. Imagine playing a game that shows how a male pufferfish builds an incredible sandcastle on the seabed just to impress a female. It’s this kind of amazing detail from the natural world that makes the event so special. Alongside the games, there are also colouring activities to keep younger visitors happy and engaged. The whole experience is about making education fun and memorable. The presentations are a core part of the week, offering a chance to learn directly from the experts at The Deep and see the animal kingdom in a completely new light. This unique event is a fantastic way to spend a day during the school holiday.

A lovely pebble gift, inspired by penguins

One of the sweetest activities planned is the pebble painting. For just £2 per pebble, visitors can get creative and decorate their own special stone. But why a pebble? Well, it’s inspired by one of the most charming courtship rituals in the animal kingdom, courtesy of the Gentoo penguins. When a male penguin wants to impress a female, he searches for the smoothest, most perfect pebble he can find and presents it to her as a gift. If she accepts, they become a couple. It’s a truly lovely gesture, and now visitors can share a bit of that penguin magic.

The pebble painting station gives families a chance to get hands-on and make a unique souvenir to take home. They can choose the perfect pebble and decorate it for a loved one – a friend, a parent, or a grandparent. It’s a simple but meaningful activity that connects back to the theme of the event and the amazing animals at The Deep. Of course, visitors can also see the colony of Gentoo penguins and watch their antics for themselves. Seeing them waddle about with their own pebbles makes the pebble painting activity even more special. It's a fantastic way to link a fun craft with a real behaviour from nature.

An underwater adventure and scavenger hunt

To make sure visitors explore every corner of the aquarium, there’s also a dedicated scavenger hunt. This isn’t just about finding clues; it’s a journey of discovery. The scavenger hunt is designed to teach people about the specific breeding behaviours of four particularly interesting species at The Deep. These animals have been chosen because their methods for finding a partner or raising their offspring are especially unique. It's a great way to guide people through the exhibits and encourage them to look closer.

The hunt will reveal some of the most surprising secrets of the deep. Participants will learn about funny and flirtatious dances, colourful displays used to attract a mate, and clever tricks that animals use during their courtship rituals. It’s a bit like being a detective on an underwater adventure, piecing together the story of life beneath the waves. The scavenger hunt is perfect for curious minds, turning a walk around the aquarium into an interactive mission. It’s all about learning how creatures care for their offspring and the incredible lengths they go to for love. The entire ‘Love Beneath the Waves’ event is a celebration of the diversity of life in our oceans.

A visit that makes a real difference

The team at The Deep is excited to welcome families for what promises to be a great week. John Andrews, Head of Operations & Guides at The Deep, shared his enthusiasm for the event.

“Love Beneath the Waves is gearing up to be an exciting week for families to enjoy at The Deep this February half-term.”

“Alongside our daily talks, there’s plenty for visitors of all ages to get involved in and we hope to see many of you with us!”

What makes a trip to The Deep even better is knowing that a visit provides amazing value and supports a brilliant cause. Every standard ticket automatically becomes an Annual Pass. This means visitors can pay once and come back for free as many times as they like for a whole year. With a new event on during every school holiday, there's always a reason to return for another underwater adventure.

More importantly, The Deep is an education and conservation charity. It operates for conservation, not for profit. This means that the money from every ticket goes directly towards funding vital research and conservation projects aimed at protecting the world's oceans. So, while enjoying a fantastic day out, visitors are also helping to safeguard marine life for the future. It’s a visit that feels good in every sense, combining fun, education, and the knowledge that every entry fee supports an important mission. The aquarium is more than an attraction; it’s a charity making a real difference.