Advertisement Feature and Review for Coral Island Blackpool
Visiting Coral Island Blackpool? Everything families need to know about what to see and do.
Coral Island Blackpool
We spent a fun-packed day at Coral Island Blackpool to explore the best activities and attractions for families. Coral Island is a true Blackpool icon — as familiar to visitors as Blackpool Tower and the Pleasure Beach. It’s a bright, lively amusement arcade located right on the promenade and it’s free to enter, making it a great stop for families visiting the seaside.
Having played here as a child, I now bring my own children each time we visit Blackpool. The combination of traditional seaside arcade games, family rides and casual dining makes it ideal for a few hours of indoor fun, especially when the weather is unpredictable.
What is there to do at Coral Island Blackpool?
Coral Island offers a wide variety of family-friendly entertainment. Inside you’ll find classic 2p penny drop machines, prize grabbers, fruit machines, racing and driving games, virtual reality experiences, ticket-based prize games and prize bingo. Children love collecting the prize tickets and trading them in at the Prize Shop for vouchers and toys.
There’s also the memorable Zoltar fortune-telling machine — a fun nod to the classic film Big — and plenty of opportunities to try your luck or win a soft toy to take home.
Arcade fans will be pleased with the variety of games, and children especially enjoy the teddy grabbers and other ticket-winning machines. Prize collection and voucher redemption add an extra layer of excitement to the visit.
Family Rides at Coral Island Blackpool
Among the arcade fun are family rides such as the Pirate Flyer, which carries riders around overhead in little pirate boats and provides a bird’s-eye view of the arcade — a favourite with children. The Ghost Train offers a mini rollercoaster experience with themed scenes, friendly scares and plenty of thrills suitable for younger kids.
These rides complement the arcade atmosphere and help make Coral Island a full day out for families seeking entertainment beyond the usual seaside attractions.
Virtual Reality Rides at Coral Island Blackpool
Virtual Reality experiences are a highlight for older children. Pop on the headset and step into a short virtual adventure — immersive, exciting and excellent value at about £3 per ride. Many children asked to go again straight away, which speaks to how entertaining the VR attractions are.
Places to eat at Coral Island Blackpool
Coral Island offers several family-friendly dining options, and best of all, kids eat free under the usual venue terms (typically one child meal per adult meal for children under 10). Choices include:
- The Buccaneer Family Bar — pirate-themed family dining with favourites like lasagne and chicken tikka, plus a Sunday carvery.
- Captain Jack’s — a bar & grill offering burgers, ribs, steaks and sharing desserts.
- Fish & Chips — traditional seaside fish and chips with classic sides such as mushy peas.
- Peggy’s Snack Bar — a quick snack option serving breakfast and lighter fare.
We sampled the Fish & Chips and found them freshly cooked, well staffed and served quickly — ideal when visiting with children. The dining areas are clean and set up for families, making mealtimes stress-free.
Note: Kids under 10 typically eat free — check in-venue for full terms and conditions.
Coral Island Camel Derby
The Camel Derby is a must-try — lively, competitive and guaranteed to make children giggle. It’s one of those simple, classic arcade games that families remember long after the visit.
Things to do in Blackpool in the rain
Coral Island is the perfect rainy-day attraction in Blackpool. You can easily spend three to four hours enjoying games, rides, bingo and food without stepping back into the rain. Admission is free, and the indoor layout makes it a welcoming shelter from bad weather while still providing classic seaside entertainment.
Win a Mini at Coral Island Blackpool
Occasionally Coral Island runs promotions and competitions, including larger prize draws such as car giveaways. Check details in-venue for current competitions and terms.
Coral Island Review
We loved our visit to Coral Island. It’s bright, noisy and full of activities that children adore. Across arcade games, family rides, VR experiences and casual dining, our family spent around four hours inside and had a fantastic time. The venue is easy to reach, with parking within a short walk of the main attractions.
Opening hours tend to be from the morning until late — typically around 9:30am weekdays and earlier on weekends — but check in-venue for exact times before you travel. Overall, Coral Island delivers traditional British seaside fun and is an excellent choice for families seeking entertainment that will wear the kids out in the best way.
Keep up with what’s on at Coral Island
To stay informed about promotions, events and special offers, look out for announcements and in-venue information. Coral Island regularly updates visitors about seasonal events, family promotions and new attractions.
Disclosure: this visit to Coral Island was provided free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own and based on personal experience visiting the venue with my children.