Billed as "the world's only submarium",[4] the exhibits contain thousands of sea creatures (including seven species of shark), 2,500,000 litres (550,000 imp gal) of water and 87 tonnes (86 long tons) of salt housed in a building designed by Terry Farrell and built as part of the UK National Lottery's Millennium Commission project.

[5] Situated at the confluence of two rivers, Sammy's Point has a history going back at least to the 16th century, when Hull Castle was built on part of the site.

[12] The aquarium uses a combination of hands-on interactive displays, audiovisual presentations, and living exhibits to tell the story of the world's oceans.

Aquaria exhibits include the Tropical Lagoon of Light, teeming with brightly coloured tropical fish and rays, a 10-metre-deep (33 ft) Endless Oceans exhibit containing 2,500,000 litres (550,000 imp gal) of water, Europe's deepest viewing tunnel at 9 metres (30 ft), and a glass lift through the tank.

Other marine life on display include fish that glow in the dark, coral, turtles, jellyfish, frogs, penguins, an Amazon flooded forest and many species of insects.

Some of the themes covered in these programmes include food chains, caring for the marine environment, predator-prey relationships, adaptations, and habitats.

[17] The menu was inspired by locally sourced and sustainable ingredients and diners could watch fish swim past in the tank next to them.