Pay a visit to Marine Discovery Centre in Whitby, North Yorkshire. This superb educational attraction will help you to learn all about our fascinating seas.

Whitbys Marine Discovery Centre

See the wonderful conservation work that the team at the Lobster Hatchery do, and discover the rich fishing heritage that puts Whitby on the map.

The attraction features over 30 species of native marine life spread over 5 tanks along with the chance to interact with some of the marine family in the touchpool. Grab your tickets and prepare to discover all about our fascinating seas.

Whitby Lobster Hatchery

An unused fish auction shed on Whitby’s Pier Road has been transformed into the Marine Discovery Centre and Lobster Hatchery. The charity who run the new attraction aim to release 100k juvenile lobsters back into the sea each year. This action will help to offset the number of lobsters caught by the fishermen in Whitby. The hatchery is critical to the lobsters’ survival at the most delicate stage of their lives. Where only 1% typically survive in the wild.

Helping Preserve the Fishing Industry

Using modern technology, the hatchery simulates the natural environment of the juvenile lobsters until they are fully matured. Increasing their chances of survival to 40% once they are released back into the sea.

The charities main objectives are to preserve the fishing industry and to advance education and research on the local marine life.

Travelling to The Marine Discovery Centre

The Marine Discovery Centre is located on Pier Road on Whitby’s harbourside. There are plenty of car parking spaces on the West Cliff and in the adjacent Pay and Display Car Park. Travelling from the North, follow the A171 across the North Yorkshire Moors and you will be greeted by a panoramic view of Whitby and the sea. Continue to follow the A171 towards the town where you will pick up the signposts for The West Cliff.

From the South, West and South West, take the A169 from Malton, heading through Pickering and then across the North Yorkshire Moors. Continue on the A169 as it passes through Sleights, and up the other side of the valley to a roundabout connecting you with the A171. Turn right, and follow the road towards the town where you will pick up the signposts for The West Cliff.

From the South East follow the A171 Coast Road heading North from Scarborough. Stay on the road all the way into Whitby where you will pick up the signposts for The West Cliff.

Travelling by Train

Most trains to Whitby come via Middlesbrough. The railway follows the Esk Valley through some stunning countryside. It is only a short walk along the harbourside from Whitby Railway station to The Marine Discovery Centre.

See the Raileasy website for details.

A fun alternative way to get to Whitby is to catch a steam train from Pickering. The line travels across the North Yorkshire Moors into the centre of the town. The journey across the moors is stunning. Grosmont and Pickering stations were used as locations for the production of some of the Harry Potter movies. The carefully restored steam trains add to the magic of this Hogwart’s Express type experience.

See schedules and booking information here:
North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Nearby Accommodation

There are some lovely self-catering cottages in Whitby and the surrounding area, we recommend Snaptrip who offer a wide range of options.