Experience South Carolina
From the mountains to the ocean, sea the difference in all of South Carolina’s habitats as you take a journey through the Aquarium and encounter thousands of native animals and plants!
Mountain Forest
After venturing past our bald eagle, Liberty, 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 our river otters, Charlie and Beau, swimming, snacking or snoozing.
Piedmont
Step into the Piedmont region (piedmont is French for foothills) where you’ll find yourself eye-to-eye with bass and discover crappies and suckers swimming in exhibits that showcase their natural habitats.
The Trading Post
Visit The Trading Post to trade in your nature finds and earn points. Our education interpreters will answer questions about your finds, and you’ll accumulate points to trade for other cool natural artifacts!
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, longnose gar, rattlesnakes or a gopher tortoise.
Kids Coast
Learn nature-based concepts through play and guided discovery. Operate hands-on schematics focusing on water filtration for Aquarium animals, participate in collaborative activities with your peers and learn about the Aquarium workers who keep our water clean.
Saltmarsh Aviary
Step outside and into the Saltmarsh Aviary. Overlooking the Charleston Harbor, this exhibit houses roseate spoonbills, gulls and our 6,000-gallon tank, home to diamondback terrapins, burrfish and more.
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. See if you can spot the camouflaging southern flounder and be sure to wave to our goliath grouper, Mel!
Please note: A portion of the Coast gallery is closed for renovations. We look forward to opening a brand new touch experience in mid-2025!
Ocean
Explore North America’s deepest tank! It’s impossible to miss our 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.
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 and release.
Carolina Seas
Located just inside the entrance, gaze into the 15,000-gallon Carolina Seas tank that houses our collection of colorful fish found around reef habitats off the coast.
The Shallows
Stop by The Shallows to observe and pet our cownose stingrays! Or give the rays a fishy treat between 10:15 a.m. and 4 p.m. 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.
Backyard Habitat
Visit our “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.
Aquarium Aglow
Aquarium Aglow is back and brighter than ever! Holiday fun begins at the Aquarium, where you can experience this immersive light spectacular select nights this November–December. Visit us this holiday season for a dazzling light spectacular, complete with larger-than-life installations, festive photo ops and the most unique Santa encounter in Charleston! Grab your friends, the family, a date or treat yourself to an unforgettable holiday celebration this year.