All the animals are native to South Carolina!
South Carolina Aquarium
There’ so much to see and learn at the South Carolina Aquarium. Set your sights on a school of fish, an albino alligator “Alabaster,” or even the oh so cute owl “Pippen!” Be entertained by an intimate look at many of South Carolina’s native animals and plants as your journey through the Aquarium takes you from the mountains to the sea!
Mountain Forest
After venturing past the bald eagle, look low and you’ll see fish in a stream. Look up to gaze at waterfalls spilling over a rocky gorge. Somewhere in the middle, you can find river otters swimming, snacking or snoozing.
Piedmont
The Piedmont region (piedmont is French for foothills) gives you an eye-to-eye look at bass, crappies, and suckers swimming in exhibits that showcase their natural habitats.
Coastal Plain
You’ll experience what it’s like to be in a swamp at twilight. See if you can spot cypress trees downed by Hurricane Hugo, American alligators, rattlesnakes, or a Venus flytrap.
Saltmarsh Aviary
The Saltmarsh Aviary is home to the 6,000-gallon stingray tank. The exhibit is also home to herons, diamondback terrapins and puffer fish.
Touch Tank
Touch and feel several species of invertebrates, like hermit crabs, whelk, sea urchins, horseshoe crabs, and Atlantic stingrays. Aquarium staff and volunteers answer questions while you explore.
Coast
You’ll be amazed by the variety of fish living right off the coast of Charleston. You can test your knowledge of shells and try to hold your breath as long as a sea turtle.
Ocean
It’s impossible to miss the two-story, 385,000-gallon Great Ocean Tank. You’ll practically rub noses with sharks and can wave a flipper hello to our 220-pound loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta. Divers interact with visitors during daily dive shows.
Zucker Family Sea Turtle Recovery
Both a hospital and a guest experience, Zucker Family Sea Turtle Recovery makes the real-life rehabilitation of sick and injured sea turtles visible to every guest. Experience each patient’s remarkable journey from rescue, to rehabilitation, to release.
BricksALIVE
It’s more than 250,000 colorful LEGO bricks. BricksALIVE features a collection of more than a dozen animal sculptures throughout the Aquarium’s second floor. These amazing and complex figures represent species that call South Carolina home.
Carolina Seas
Located just inside the entrance, the 15,000-gallon Carolina Seas tank houses our collection of colorful fish found around reef habitats off the coast.
Backyard Habitat
Visit the “backyard” and take home ideas for your own yard. Featuring native plants and animal shelters, this educational garden presents ideas that you can replicate in your backyard to attract native birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
The Shallows
Feed by hand the cownose rays and southern stingrays in The Shallows! At the newest interactive experience, give the rays a fishy treat between 9:30 am and noon each day, while supplies last. To try it yourself, purchase a stingray feeding voucher for $5 at the admission gate or information desk during your next visit.
Plan Your Trip
100 Aquarium Wharf
Charleston, SC 29401
Text provided from the official South Carolina Aquarium | Video created in partnership with our friends Charleston Locals
