South Carolina Aquarium
Begin your day with a highly anticipated trip to one of the top aquariums in the country, the South Carolina Aquarium. This celebrated marine life center opened in May of 2000 within the historic Charleston Harbor, a massive and impressive 92,990 square foot complex celebrating the native and exotic sea creatures of the world. This massive aquarium holds many interactive exhibits and hundreds of exciting animals, providing a truly intimate look at native South Carolina animals and plants. See the different habitats covered here, from the mountain to the sea, as you choose between seeing daily dive shows, hands-on animal care demonstrations, or perhaps explore an island recreation of Madagascar. There are special tours and treat for groups coming here as a part of a field trip, so be sure you inform the aquarium ahead of time if you are bringing your student group.
The exhibits within the South Carolina Aquarium include Secrets of the Amazon, Camp Carolina, Salt Marsh, Piedmont, Coastal Plains, and Shark Shallows, the interactive shark and ray touch tank that holds exotic sharks such as the Bonnethead. Head over to the Mountain forest exhibit to glimpse waterfalls and eagles overhead, or maybe spend some time gazing at the 385,000-gallon Great Ocean Tank. There is also a 15,000 gallon Carolina Sea Tank! You will see many different animals within these exhibits, from American Alligators to Venus Fly Traps. Your group will have the option of perhaps taking a Sea Turtle Hospital Tour, learning all about the conservation of these creatures and their ocean habitat, or heading to the 4D Theater to immerse yourselves into marine education. Before you go head over to the gift shop to pick up your own souvenir, books, apparel, home decor, toy or games, or perhaps grab a delicious bite to eat at the Sea Turtle Cafe.
