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.
What to Expect at the SC Aquarium
Tickets: All tickets must be purchased in advance online. The aquarium uses timed entry, so be sure to reserve your preferred time slot ahead of your visit.
Maps: Scan the QR code at the entrance to access a digital map, or print a copy from the aquarium’s website before you go.
Food: The Sea Turtle Snack Bar is open from 11 am – 3 pm (subject to change), and you’re just steps from endless dining choices in downtown Charleston.
Things to Do at the SC Aquarium
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 or recyclable items for trading. You can walk in with a soda cap and walk out with a pretty shell at the South Carolina Aquarium’s Trading Post!
Items that the trading post accepts include:
- plastic bottle caps
- wine corks
- cell phones
- sharks teeth
- fossils
- rocks
- shells
- ink cartridges
- paper towel rolls
- glass items
- markers
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.
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 ticket is sold at 3:30 pm, and the building closes at 5 pm.
Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, and closes at noon on Christmas Eve.
Admission (subject to change due to dynamic pricing):
Guests 13+ years of age: $34.95–$37.95
Children 3–12 years of age: $27.95–$29.95
Toddlers under age 3: Free
What did your kids love most at the SC Aquarium? Tell us in the comments!
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