Television series
Andy's Aquatic Adventures
- Treasure hunt
- Light-hearted
- Dip in and out
Andy Day takes a submersible across the world's waterways to encounter aquatic wildlife in their natural habitats. It's a fifteen-minute burst of pure discovery—vibrant, paced for restless minds, shot with real wonder. For kids who love animals, adventure, and learning without it feeling like a chore.
If you liked this
Blue Planet II2017
David Attenborough narrates extraordinary footage of ocean life from the Arctic to the tropics. Mesmerizing cinematography and genuine discovery make each episode feel like a privilege to witness.
But At nearly an hour per episode, it demands patience and sustained attention in a way that can be tough for younger viewers.
Our Planet2019
A sweeping natural history series that follows animals through their habitats, from rivers to reefs. Stunning visuals and strong storytelling make the interconnectedness of ecosystems feel urgent and alive.
But It carries a heavy environmental message that can feel sobering rather than purely adventurous for some kids.
Life2007
Attenborough again, this time exploring survival strategies across all environments. The animal behaviour is genuinely astonishing—you will see things you've never seen before, and neither will your kids.
But Some sequences involve predation and death, which can be intense for very young or sensitive viewers.
Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Andy's Aquatic Adventures
The wildcard
Something you would not have found on your own.
The Legend of Vox Machina2022
Both use episodic exploration as their core engine: a new place, a new creature or problem, discovery and wonder, rinse and repeat. The structure is identical; the register is completely different.
A fantasy adventure series built on the same foundation: a team ventures into unknown places, encounters strange creatures, and works together to solve problems. The writers understand how to make exploration feel genuinely exciting and consequential.
But It's animated and aimed at older teens/adults, with violence and profanity that makes it inappropriate for the CBeebies audience. The tone is entirely different—darker, funnier, more complex.
More like this (6)
Octonauts2010
A team explores the ocean in a submarine, meeting creatures and solving problems. It has the same spirit of adventure and discovery, delivered with charm and genuine educational content woven seamlessly into the story.
But It's animated rather than real, so it lacks the tactile wonder of watching actual creatures in their habitats.
Deadly 602009
Steve Backshall travels the world hunting down the planet's most dangerous animals. High energy, genuine peril, and the charisma of a presenter who is transparently thrilled by what he's doing.
But The focus on 'deadly' creatures might feel less warm and nurturing than Andy's approach, and some kids find it overstimulating.
The World About Us1967
A foundational nature documentary series that helped invent the form. If you're curious where this kind of show came from, it's surprisingly engaging and often more playful than modern equivalents.
But The production values are dated, and some of the narration now reads as patronising or contains outdated information.
Frozen Planet2011
Attenborough explores polar regions and the life that thrives there, including underwater sequences of stunning beauty. The cinematography is genuinely among the best ever shot for television.
But Fewer animals overall than other natural history series, and the cold-focused setting might feel less adventurous to kids who crave tropical excitement.
Africa2013
A well-made landmark series following animals through their habitats across a continent. Reliable, beautifully shot, and hits the beats of wonder and discovery that make nature feel important.
But It's land-based rather than aquatic, so if water is the specific draw, this is a sideways move rather than a continuation.
My Octopus Teacher2020
Both are about encountering an aquatic animal in the real world, but where Andy's Aquatic Adventures moves fast and covers ground, this one stays still and goes deep with a single creature. Same water, opposite approach.
A filmmaker spends a year visiting an octopus in a South African kelp forest, building a relationship and documenting extraordinary behaviour. It's intimate, meditative, and occasionally shocking. A film about patience and observation rather than collecting facts.
But The pacing is deliberately slow, and there's minimal narrative structure. It requires sustained focus and tolerance for uncertainty—some kids will find it boring, others transformative.
People
Cast
Andy DayPresenter