The Gentoo Penguins
The penguins at Sea Life London Aquarium are Gentoo penguins, the third-largest penguin species in the world. In the wild, Gentoos are found across sub-Antarctic islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, where they breed in large colonies on rocky, ice-free shorelines. They are recognised by the white stripe that sweeps across the top of their heads and their bright orange-red bills.
Gentoos are the fastest underwater swimmers of all penguin species, capable of reaching speeds of up to 22 miles per hour. At Sea Life London, this speed is visible when the penguins launch themselves off rocks and shoot through the water with rapid, powerful strokes of their flippers. The contrast between their clumsy waddle on land and their streamlined agility underwater is one of the most entertaining things to watch at the aquarium.
Penguin Point
The Gentoo colony lives in Penguin Point, a purpose-built habitat designed to replicate conditions similar to their natural environment. The enclosure includes both a dry rocky area where the penguins rest, socialise and nest, and a deep pool where they swim and hunt for fish.
Large viewing windows at water level allow visitors to watch the penguins underwater, where their swimming ability is on full display. From above, you can observe them interacting on the rocks, preening their feathers and jostling for position on the most desirable perching spots. The combination of above-water and below-water viewing gives a complete picture of Gentoo behaviour.
Daily Feeding Talks
The penguin feeding sessions are among the most attended events at the aquarium. At scheduled times throughout the day, aquarists enter the enclosure with buckets of fish and hand-feed each penguin individually. This individual feeding approach ensures that every bird receives its proper diet and allows the keepers to monitor each penguin's health and appetite.
During the feeds, the aquarists talk to the audience about Gentoo biology, conservation and the individual personalities within the colony. Each penguin is identified by coloured wing bands, and the keepers know every bird by name. Visitors learn that penguins have distinct temperaments, with some being bold and pushy at feeding time and others hanging back until the crowd thins out.
Why Gentoo Penguins
Sea Life London chose Gentoo penguins partly because they adapt well to aquarium environments and partly because they are charismatic, active birds that engage visitors naturally. Unlike some penguin species that require extremely cold conditions, Gentoos tolerate a wider range of temperatures, though their enclosure is still carefully climate-controlled to keep them comfortable.
Gentoo populations in the wild are currently considered stable compared to some other penguin species, but they still face threats from climate change, overfishing of their prey species and habitat disturbance. The colony at Sea Life London serves as an educational tool, helping visitors understand the pressures facing Antarctic wildlife and the importance of marine conservation. The penguins are just one part of the aquarium's collection of over 600 species.
Visiting the Penguins
The penguin exhibit is located towards the end of the aquarium's visitor route, which means it works well as a finale to your visit. If seeing the feeding talk is a priority, check the daily schedule when you arrive and plan your visit pace accordingly. The talks last around 15 minutes, and arriving a few minutes early secures a good viewing position at the glass.
On busy days, particularly weekends and school holidays, the penguin area can become crowded during feeding times. Visiting on a weekday gives you more space and a clearer view. Outside feeding times, the penguins are still active and entertaining to watch, and you can often spend as long as you like at the viewing windows without the pressure of a large audience around you.
