Secrets beneath the sea

Did you know sharks, dolphins and exotic-looking sea slugs can all be found along the coast of Sussex? The waters just off Brighton Beach are teeming with life, but most of us walk along the shore without any idea what lies beneath the surface.

This summer, Sussex Wildlife Trust is inviting you to find out. Secrets Beneath the Sea is a bold new open-air exhibition on Brighton seafront, celebrating the extraordinary marine life found just off our coast. Running from Monday 15 June to Sunday 19 July 2026 at the Brighton Seafront Gallery - right on the beach, close to the i360 - it’s free to visit and open to everyone.

Created in collaboration with Wayforward Brighton and Locate Productions, the exhibition moves beyond traditional nature photography to present nine curated cultural themes, each offering a different perspective on the rich underwater world of Sussex. From mermaid’s purses and sea anemones to the underwater kelp forests, it brings the hidden world of our seas to the surface in ways you might not expect.

Designed by Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Kai Hilton, the exhibition features stunning underwater photography from Paul Parsons, Paul Naylor, Piers Fearick, Claire Andrews, Alexander Mustard, Caroline Weir, Scott Rico and Paul Boniface.

Sarah Ward, Marine Officer at Sussex Wildlife Trust, said: 

“Sussex seas are full of life that most people will never see. We want to change that. From mermaid’s purses to passing whales, there’s a whole hidden world out there and it starts right here on Brighton Beach.”

Secrets Beneath the Sea is free to visit. Come and discover what’s been there all along.