The Aquarium is open daily from 9 a.m.—5 p.m, with the last entry at 3:30 p.m. The Aquarium is open until noon on Christmas Eve (12/24), with the last entry time at 11 a.m. The Aquarium is closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas day (12/25). Please note, on Aquarium Aglow dates, the Aquarium is open from 9 a.m.–4 p.m., with the last entry time at 2:30 p.m.

The South Carolina Aquarium utilizes a dynamic ticket calendar to determine daily admission prices. This model allows guests to plan their visit on a date that fits both their schedule and budget. Ticket prices fluctuate based on a number of factors including weather, holidays, local events, school calendars and attendance patterns.To view the ticket calendar and buy tickets, click here.

Information on directions and parking can be found by clicking here.

The Aquarium is committed to providing engaging and full experiences for all! Click here to learn more about all accessibility measures in place.

Many guests enjoy the Aquarium for two or more hours. We suggest allowing at least 90 minutes to visit all the exhibits the Aquarium offers. All guests are permitted to stay until our building closes at 5 p.m. daily.

The majority of our exhibits are indoors. Three exhibits, Mountain Forest, Saltmarsh Aviary and The Shallows, are partially exposed to the elements and may be temporarily closed during inclement weather.

We are constructing a brand new accessible touch tank in the Coast gallery, as well as adding a family restroom and a nursing room on the second floor! This new exhibit, complete with low walls and viewing windows, will allow all guests, including those in wheelchairs or with varying mobility levels, the opportunity to truly connect with the wildlife found within. Portions of this gallery are not in view during this project, but every guest will still have a full Aquarium experience when they visit!

The best way to save on admission is by purchasing a year-long Aquarium membership. For example, a Family membership pays for itself in just two visits!

• We do offer free admission to South Carolina certified K-12 teachers with proof of eligibility shown upon entry. Please note, if you wish to visit with paying guests, they must reserve a dated and timed entry here.
• We also offer $40 Angelfish Family memberships to South Carolina residents who qualify via SNAP/EBT (a copy of your card), digital WIC card (screenshot that includes your name), SC Voucher Program letter and photo ID. P-EBT not accepted for eligibility. Please email [email protected] with proof of eligibility.

There are no refunds available for purchased tickets.

Weekends and school holidays tend to have the highest volume of guests, so if you would prefer experiencing the Aquarium with smaller crowds, we suggest visiting on a weekday. We can have large groups at any time, but school groups typically visit on Thursday and Friday mornings.

Click here for more information on group visits.

Tickets may be exchanged if you contact the Aquarium prior to your scheduled visit and capacity is available. Additional charges may apply. Please contact us by calling our Customer Service Center at (843) 577-FISH (3474) x 3 or by emailing [email protected]. We will need the order number along with the name and phone number under which your tickets were purchased. A new ticket confirmation with an updated time will be sent to your e-mail.

Please double-check your spam/junk folder in case the email was filtered there. If you still do not see your tickets, please call us at (843) 577-FISH (3474).

Complimentary wheelchairs are available to rent for the duration of your visit with a picture ID at any of our ticket windows. Please note that these are handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis. Due to the limited quantity, we are unable to accept reservations for these.

Yes. We recommend smaller strollers for ease of navigation throughout the Aquarium. Diaper bags and backpacks are also allowed. Please note, we do not offer stroller rentals at this time.

Only small snacks and personal water bottles are allowed into the Aquarium. There is seating throughout the Aquarium, indoors and outdoors, as well as space to enjoy a meal or snack in Liberty Square in front of the Aquarium. Please dispose of all garbage in properly marked bins.

Yes! Our Sea Turtle Café is open from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. daily.

If you would like a private location within the Aquarium to change or nurse your child, feel free to take advantage of our secure area, the Nursing Station. This is located on our first floor across from the Gift Shop.

We do! Please email [email protected] with a description of your lost item and your contact information. Our team will review any found items from the day of your visit and contact you if it is with our security team and ready to pick up. If your item has not yet been turned in, we will keep your description on file and contact you if it is turned in at a later date.

Yes. Your ticket is valid for the entire day of your visit. If you leave the building with plans to return, be sure to notify admissions before you leave.

Due to its location inside of the Aquarium, we are unable to offer free visits to go into our Gift Shop only. If you have a question about our Gift Shop, you may call (843) 805-8465 or email [email protected], or click here to shop a selection of gifts online.

Cameras and video cameras are permitted in the Aquarium for your personal use. No tripods or monopods are allowed. Please contact our Public Relations department for written permission to take commercial footage. Please note there are certain exhibits where flash photography is not allowed. All Aquarium guests must follow the rules posted on signage throughout our exhibits. Please review our Code of Conduct for more information.

To ensure the safety and health of the animals at the South Carolina Aquarium, pets and emotional support animals are not allowed. Service animals are welcome at the Aquarium. They are defined as dogs or miniature horses that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Please review our Code of Conduct for more information.

At this time, the Aquarium is not offering private birthday parties or overnight programs. Click here for information on different options for your group, and keep an eye on our calendar of events to see any upcoming overnight programs.

Click here to find the Aquarium’s guidelines for ticket donations to be used at special events.

Yes, we are both accredited by and a member of AZA. We have been accredited since September 2001 and continue to meet and exceed the rigorous standards of animal care set forth by the organization.

We do not currently offer reciprocal admission or discounts with any other zoos or aquariums. If you are a professional member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), you qualify for complimentary admission with your AZA card and photo ID. Please call our Customer Service Center at (843) 577-FISH (3474) for details.

The Aquarium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We rely on the support of our paying guests, members, foundations and the generosity of our donors.

In addition to visiting the Aquarium or becoming a member, we have several ways to contribute! Through this page, you can find many different options on how to get involved, no matter your contribution size. All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Our tax ID number (EIN) is available upon request.

We accept cash, all major credit cards, ApplePay and Visa Checkout throughout the Aquarium. Checks are accepted only for the purchase/renewal of memberships and for scheduled group reservations. Any transaction completed online or via the Customer Service Center will require a credit card. Please note, at this time, all ticket purchases must be made online.

We do not have an ATM on property. The closest ATM is the TD Bank, located on the corner of East Bay Street and Charlotte Street.

The South Carolina Aquarium is a tobacco-free, smoke-free facility. This includes all types of electronic cigarettes/vapes as well. There is no smoking allowed on any Aquarium property, including locations that are beyond our admissions area, all outdoor ramps and terraces. Please review our Code of Conduct for more information.

The South Carolina Aquarium has established – and strictly enforces – a “No Weapons” policy. This includes concealable firearms, knives and other weapons. This policy is created to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all of our guests, staff and animals. Please be advised that Aquarium staff will not be responsible for safeguarding any weapons for our guests. Signage has been placed on our property stating that firearms are not permitted. Please review our Code of Conduct for more information.

Once determined fit for release, our sea turtle patients have a very quick turnaround from the Sea Turtle Care Center™ to life back in the ocean. Each turtle’s journey is unpredictable, so we are unable to anticipate release dates. You can find out more about the Sea Turtle Care Center by clicking here.

As a result of the Marine Resources Act of 2000, which was adopted by the state of South Carolina, marine mammals cannot be used “for any exploratory, experimental, scientific, educational, or commercial display purposes,” thus making it against the law in our state to have them on exhibit. South Carolina and North Carolina are the only states in the country that do not allow marine mammals to be displayed in their aquariums.

The Aquarium does not accept surrendered animals of any kind.

Click here to view open staff positions and apply online. We respectfully ask that all applicants use our online system. Please do not call with inquiries or follow-ups.

Because our volunteers play such a major role in the work we do here at the Aquarium, we have a dedicated Volunteer Services Department set up to work with our current and future volunteers. If you would like to be a part of this special group, click here.

Click here to apply for a high school internship.