Have you visited the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, SC? This spot is a fun, educational adventure your whole family will love. You’ll see everything from sea turtles to sharks — and yes, you can even feed stingrays by hand!
Whether it’s part of your Charleston getaway or a day trip from nearby, here’s what to expect when you visit the SC Aquarium — plus tips to make the most of your visit.
SC Aquarium Quick Facts
- Location: 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC 29401 (downtown Charleston)
- Hours: Open daily 9 am – 5 pm, last entry 3:30 pm (9 am – 4 pm, last entry 2:30 pm, on Aquarium Aglow dates)
- Closed: Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day; open 9 am – 1 pm on Christmas Eve (last entry noon)
- Tickets: Dated, timed entry with dynamic pricing that varies by date; toddlers under 3 are free. See the official ticket calendar.
- How long to plan: At least 90 minutes; many guests stay two or more hours
- Don’t miss: Feed the Rays ($5, daily 10:15 am – 4 pm, while supplies last), the touch tank, Zucker Family Sea Turtle Recovery and the Trading Post
- Food: Sea Turtle Café, 11 am – 3 pm daily; small snacks and personal water bottles are allowed
- Parking: City-operated garage at 24 Calhoun Street plus metered street parking (both pay-to-park; the garage takes credit cards only)
- Contact: 843.577.FISH (3474) · scaquarium.org
What to Expect at the SC Aquarium
Tickets: Admission is sold as dated, timed-entry tickets: you choose your visit date and entry time when you buy, so be sure to reserve your preferred time slot ahead of your visit. The aquarium says tickets can be rescheduled up to 24 hours before your entry time by calling (843) 577-3474.
Maps: Scan the QR code at the entrance to access a digital map.
Food: The Sea Turtle Café is open from 11 am – 3 pm daily (subject to change), and you’re just steps from endless dining choices in downtown Charleston. If you’re packing your own, the aquarium allows only small snacks and personal water bottles inside, and there’s space to enjoy a meal or snack in Liberty Square in front of the aquarium.
Things to Do at the SC Aquarium
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When you check in at the ticket counter, you’ll be asked if you want to feed the stingrays. YES, the answer is yes. It’s the best $5 extra per person you’ll spend and I’ll tell you why in a minute.
Take Photos
When you enter the building upstairs, one of the first things you’ll see is a huge circular tank of fish. If your children have cameras, this is a perfect chance to use them — or just enjoy the beautiful variety of fish!
Touch Tank
Don’t miss the touch tank on the second floor. It’s a great opportunity to learn fun facts about the animals in the tank, ask questions, and of course, find out what they feel like!
Scavenger Hunt
Consider bringing clipboards with a scavenger hunt activity to help the kids focus on details! For a really simple option, just right-click a scavenger hunt image and save it to your phone. Or save it to your computer and print it for your visit. You can leave it as is to fit a full-size clipboard, or cut the margins off to use a small-size clipboard.
Or, download a scavenger hunt activity from the aquarium’s website. You’ll find a variety of great options to pick from according to your child’s grade level.
Trading Post
I was really excited to see they have something called “The Trading Post.” This is a place where guests can bring up to two found natural items for trading. Bring them a rock, learn all about it, and leave with a pretty shell at the South Carolina Aquarium’s Trading Post!
Items that the trading post accepts include:
- sharks teeth
- fossils
- rocks
- shells
- plant parts
There are a few items that the Trading Post will not accept. This includes bird items (nests, eggs, feathers), live animals, sea turtle bones, or anything else from an endangered species.
A great opportunity to find shells and fossils can be found with the Sandlapper Water Tours that launch right around the corner at the maritime center. You can go on a morning eco-tour and then head to the aquarium.
Stingray Feeding Experience
When you check in at the ticket counter, you’ll be asked if you want to feed the stingrays. YES, the answer is yes. It’s the best $5 extra per person you’ll spend.
The aquarium calls it Feed the Rays: you can hand-feed the cownose rays in The Shallows daily from 10:15 am through 4 pm for $5, while supplies last.
This was by far our favorite part of the trip to the aquarium. I’m actually thinking about buying a membership so I can go visit my new little buddies every time we visit Charleston. I know, it sounds crazy…. I know. But oh my goodness, I can’t explain it, they stole our hearts.
The sensation of having them eat out of your hand is the strangest feeling! But they were like little puppies begging for treats, and it was adorable. When you pay to feed them, you’ll get a little bowl with headless bait fish.
Sea Turtle Hospital
At Zucker Family Sea Turtle Recovery, you have a chance to observe the real-life treatment and recovery of injured and sick sea turtles. View information on each sea turtle patient, observe the surgical suite, and even get involved by practicing your diagnostic skills on mock patients. Learn about how you can help protect sea turtles in the wild!
We enjoyed our time at the Aquarium and can’t wait to visit again!
South Carolina Aquarium Info
South Carolina Aquarium
100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston
843.577.FISH (3474)
Open daily beginning at 9 am. The last entry is at 3:30 pm, and the building closes at 5 pm. On Aquarium Aglow dates (select nights in November and December), the aquarium is open 9 am – 4 pm with last entry at 2:30 pm.
Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, it’s open 9 am – 1 pm, with last entry at noon.
Admission: The aquarium uses a dynamic ticket calendar, so prices change by date based on factors like weather, holidays, local events, school calendars and attendance. Prices are generally highest on peak dates and weekends and lower on off-peak dates. The aquarium says the price you see will never decrease but may increase closer to your date, so buying early gets the best price. Tickets are available up to 60 days in advance. Check today’s adult and child (3–12) rates on the official ticket calendar.
Toddlers under age 3: Free
South Carolina Aquarium FAQ
How long should we plan for the South Carolina Aquarium with kids?
Plan on at least 90 minutes to see all the exhibits. The aquarium says many guests spend two or more hours, and you’re welcome to stay until the building closes at 5 pm.
How much are tickets to the SC Aquarium?
Prices vary by date because the aquarium uses dynamic pricing. They’re generally lower on off-peak dates and higher on weekends and peak dates, and buying early locks in the best price. Toddlers under 3 are free. Check the official ticket calendar for your date.
Do I need to reserve a time to visit?
Yes. General admission tickets are dated and timed, so you’ll pick a visit date and entry time when you buy. Last entry is 3:30 pm on regular days.
Can you feed the stingrays at the SC Aquarium?
Yes! Feed the Rays lets you hand-feed the cownose rays in The Shallows daily from 10:15 am through 4 pm. It’s $5, while supplies last.
Is there food at the South Carolina Aquarium?
The Sea Turtle Café is open 11 am – 3 pm daily. You can also bring small snacks and personal water bottles, and there’s space to eat in Liberty Square out front.
Is the SC Aquarium a good rainy-day option?
Mostly, yes. The majority of exhibits are indoors. Three exhibits (Mountain Forest, Saltmarsh Aviary and The Shallows) are partially open to the elements and may close temporarily in bad weather.
Can we bring a stroller?
Yes. Strollers, diaper bags and backpacks are allowed, and the aquarium recommends smaller strollers. Stroller rentals aren’t offered.
What did your kids love most at the SC Aquarium? Tell us in the comments!
Looking for more Charleston fun?
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