There's something brewing at Exploris
28th May 2009

An exciting new development at Exploris Aquarium means that from May you will be able to enjoy a fabulous creamy cappuccino with the crustaceans.  The aptly named Tides café in N Ireland's only aquarium and seal sanctuary is proud to brew Starbucks coffee as part of its menu.  Indeed (aside from the 18 stores) it is one of only a couple of places in the Province to offer the world's favourite coffee.   

Exploris is committed to trying to maintain our fragile eco-systems and was set up in 1987 to let the public see the amazingly diverse marine life around our shores.

22 years later it is among our most popular visitor attractions in N Ireland and is one of  only 3 designated marine nature reserves in the UK.  You can see all sorts of native fish and invertebrates that normally only serious divers can hope to spot.  The exhibits are exciting and interactive, such as the discovery pool where you can stroke a stingray and hold a clam!  The Seal Sanctuary provides a temporary home for sick or orphaned seals, where they can build up their strength before being returned to the wild.

Starbucks is proud to ally itself with the aquarium, as the company conducts its business in an environmentally aware way.  Towards the end of last year Starbucks launched Shared Planet and made a commitment to do business in a way that won't damage the planet.  It encompasses the ethical purchasing of all coffee (Starbucks is the biggest purchaser of Fairtrade coffee in the world), minimizing its carbon footprint and doing good in the communities in which it works.  The coffee giant has had a partnership with the charity Conservation International since 1998 and has just signed a pledge to support them for another 5 years.  Around 20% of carbon dioxide emissions come from the burning of forests so the coffee company is now concentrating on getting coffee farmers to grow beans under the forest canopy – indeed the shade grown coffee beans produce a beautiful taste with a complexity of flavour due to the fact that the plant matures more slowly. “It's possible to do business ethically” is the company's abiding principle.

A visit to Exploris is a seriously enjoyable day out for all ages and it is right on our doorstep.  This summer make sure the whole family enjoys a visit as well as some seriously great coffee! 

Opening times April – August: Monday to Friday 10.00am until 6.00pm, Saturday 11.00 – 6.00pm, Sunday 12 noon – 6.00pm.

                                        . 

Back to News and Press