Reviews of South Carolina Aquarium (Zoo)

Yolanda Lipscomb

Simply amazing! Well worth the money. They had shows inside. It was thrilling to watch the divers in the water interacting with the fish. The tour guides were knowledgeable and friendly. The aquarium had lots of inhabitants not just sea creatures.

Jennifer Ruggiero

The aquarium is over-priced for what it has to offer. Not as large as we thought it would be. The gift shop was great, lots of various merchandise, but not a lot of bang for your buck with the actual attractions. Also, zero information on the website or voice mail regarding what food they provided. Made it very difficult to plan ahead with diabetes and a very picky child.

Big Fudge

Not a bad place to spend time. There isn't as many species as I thought, but at least you can lightly pet some of them. It was somewhat linear so you can't get lost that easy.

Manny

I got the annual membership for kids and it's worth every single penny. My kids love this place and specially the mermaids show. This place has volunteers program to come in and help with the aquarium and do exhibits too. It's a unique place and love the ocean view in the back of the aquarium. If you are visiting Charleston, then I would highly recommend this place to come and visit because its next to a couple historic sites next door.

Zen Riley23

I expected more. I enjoyed the turtle rescue section. They had an assortment of beautiful, large fish. The Lego displays were quite interesting. The staff members were very friendly. Still the experience felt lacking.

Tina Johnson

My family visited the aquarium for the first time and had a great time! The staff is very friendly and attentive. The mixture of wild life was awesome to see at one facility. We attended the 'Behind The Scenes' Tour, which was amazing! I would highly recommend a visit...there is something for all ages...

John Morey

Perfect place to visit to have fun and learn about the water that surround charleston and South Carolina. The turtle rescue center is a must see.

Melanie Majors

I don't know why I expected so much more. There wasn't as many varieties as I was thinking there would be on ocean wildlife. The best part was the turtles. Definitely more geared towards kids and was also very crowded with families and school field trip groups.

Kickin.it. Retro

Was honestly taken back at how small this aquarium is. Definitely not as big as I would’ve expected. But they definitely pack everything they can in a small place. The sea turtle side is really nice.

Carla Hamilton

The staff is awesome! The aquarium is well kept and has interesting and beautiful species. There are activities for the youngsters. I have been to other aquariums where there are more variety of species.

Juliet

The Aquarium is a lovely spot for day trips to Charleston, especially for those with children. The have a nice variety of animals, a snack bar with pizza, sandwiches, etc., a large gift shop, and also a stingray touch tanm. I only deduct a star because the price is pretty expensive and the facility itself doesn't take very long to go through.

Elisha G

I love the outdoor area where you can feed stingrays and touch them, it's a wonderful addition the aquarium! We were just there for Shark Week and the staff was amazing, educational, and friendly. The only thing that detracts from the aquarium is its size. It's one of the smallest aquariums I've ever been to, it's extremely hard to navigate the exhibits with so little space to walk. It would be awesome if they could expand the aquarium! Other than that, it's a great experience!

Harley Turner

It was extremely busy, missed a lot of things because there were so many people. I've been to a lot of different aquariums around America and this is on the bottom of my list. We did enjoy the legos everywhere, thought that was a cool way to use them! We also enjoyed the turtle exhibit. It was expensive at $60 for 2 people. I will say that if you have kids, they have a very cool looking kid section. It was packed full when we were there, so they had kids waiting in a line.

Patty Giannone

Aquarium was awesome, well maintained, and interactive. I visited the aquarium with my family and had a great time! The fishes were amazing! The staff has also been very knowledgeable.

Ryan Passarelli

This is more than an aquarium. They have an exhibit that represents each of the basic ecosystems in SC. They would have got five stars but there were only a few small sharks. My kids love sharks and we were a little dissapointed to only see one lemon shark and a few tiny nurse sharks.

Crystal Gentry

We had a great time here! The aquarium is beautiful, very clean, organized and has a lot of marine life to learn about. The sting ray tank is nice too!

James Voortman

The people caring for the place were knowledgeable and willing to talk to me about the birds, animals, and fish.

A. Watkins

It was such an experience to see the many animals that were rescued and housed at this location. The aquarium offers a nice view of the Atlantic and other great historical sites from it outside deck. The staff is mostly kind and very helpful in providing information on the animals in the various exhibits.

Madi Hankinson

This place is amazing for anyone. All ages will find something they like here. The stingray touch tank is amazing and there's a place to sit right outside to watch for dolphins with plenty of shade. The kids area with the touch tanks, see holes, and Lego area are perfect when you've got little ones who may need a break. The diver show is awesome to see and they do free kids face paintings on Saturday.

Chris Desjardins

Had a great time my 3 boys loved it from the 7 year old to my 15 year old. We spent 4 hours there! At the beginning when you take your picture on the second one make sure you do a good scream!

Cassie Tisdall

This aquarium is well worth the price. You can spend hours inside. We packed a few snacks and my kids were entertained for hours! We ended up purchasing the family membership for the year and we plan on going tons over the winter!

Sims Adams

A very nice tourist destination for Charleston. My child loves it. But, its beginning to show its age and feel a little static. And compared to other aquariums around the Country i would rate it in the bottom half. Parking has gotten to be a chore, as the closest parking garage is often full, and finding a place on the street often means circling for 15 or 20 minutes. They used to have a 4D theater that was fun, but has been gone for a while. Needs another attraction like that.

Jason Selley

All animals found here are all found in South Carolina. Their conservation work is truly inspiring.

Adrienne Urich

Spent the afternoon here after getting off a cruise and it was perfect. Everyone working there is so nice and helpful. With a 12, 10, 8 and 7 year old it’s hard to keep them entertained but this place did the job. We are big aquarium fans and this one exceeded expectations.

Lisa Heinrich - Estabrook

Clean but small. They give you a hands on experience with some animals. Cafe for lunch could be improved. Admission a bit pricey for the experience.

Joshua Rasmussen

Really awesome place. I was a big fan of the albino alligator, the big fish tank, and assortment of cool sea life. My son was a big fan of petting the stingrays and the toddler play area. We ended up becoming members since we live in the area and it pays for itself in just two visits.

Ivy Rongo

The Lego exhibit was fanominal!! All the fish and other exhibits were so wonderful. My family had the best time.

Shadi Zahed

It was my first time here and I loved it. We spent $58 for 2 adults (1 military) including $5 to feed some little stingrays. They have fish, birds of prey, snakes, some insects, an albino alligator, crabs, sharks, turtles and lots of exhibits where you can touch the contained fishies. I had a chance to feed the stingrays..they give you 5 little fishies to feed them and they eat the fish from your hand. It was memorable

James Wentz

Small for the price compared to other aquariums, not a good value in my opinion. It's a neat aquarium for kids but not so much of it for adults. I understand most aquariums are focused on kids but others certainly a better mixture of both. When it's busy the place is quite cramped as well since it's pretty small.

Josh Parsons

This place is a lot of fun for everyone in the family.. It's located right on the water with great views of the harbor and the Ravenel Bridge. As far as the exhibits and the Sea animals, it's awesome!

Mitchel Fox

Great place for kids and adults. Main problem is no toddler toliets for boys. But over all my kids are 2,3,8,13,13, and 15 and they love this place worth the year pass. If you have a water loving family. They have a active animal hospital, multiple aquariums. Petting water tanks. On bottom and top floor. But really miss the theater they had.

Michael Wood

Nice aquarium. Clean and well maintained. Something to see and do for all ages. Not the biggest aquarium but does have the deepest tank in the USA at 42 feet deep. Saw a few fish I had not seen before. Only takes maybe a couple of hours to see most everything.

Denise Wilkerson

There aren't a lot of things to see here but the layout is charming and lego creations entertain the eyes. This place is probably in a building thst is a little grandiose for its purpose but tries to justify the cost of admission which is too much for what you get to see. The highlight of the experience was being able to pet the stingrays and there is a very nice gift shop. Suggest expanding the otter exhibit; otters are playful and fun to watch but the enclosure was rather small and there were only two of them. More otters and more space=more fun.

L Percy

My kids absolutely loved this place! Great aquarium.

Kevin Krasnansky

Stars could be just for the sea turtle hospital. There are interactive exhibits with rays, starfish, and tiny sharks. There are plentiful employees and volunteers around to answer questions. We easily spent 5 hours there, and I could have spent longer. I highly recommend eating first or bringing a bag lunch. There is a small area to purchase food by the gift shop, but it is way overpriced. EDIT: Thanks for responding! I think my review may have been unclear. The sea turtle hospital would be worth giving the aquarium 5 stars, but the aquarium is worth the 5 stars independent of the hospital, as well. The food was the only drawback, and that is something a well planned visitor could easily work around. I'm glad you guys already recognized the issue, and I think food trucks would be great!

InhumaneJEKyLL

Nice place to take a family. Nothing blew me away, but decent size and a good setup. Not seeing sharks bummed my kids out a bit.

Alissa Herbert

Amazing exhibits! We loved the touch tanks. The kids we able to hold a starfish and sea urchin as well as touch a sting ray and shark!!

Brent Huff

This place is pretty awesome! They have a bunch of interactive experiences and our kids loved it! From feeding or petting the stingrays to holding starfish and petting small sharks to being able to watch feedings and more! Such a great place to visit for locals or for vacationers! Definitely the place to come to bring your kids!

Arrie Bagwell

Awesome as always. But today seeing the surgery being done on the sea turtle Ed was awesome I pray that it went very well, ironically hes having the GI sugary today and I'm having GI surgery tomorrow at musc. I love the sea turtles !❤❤❤❤

catwerle

Great sea turtle exhibit but a very small aquarium otherwise for the price. Some closed exhibits. The best part was watching dolphins in the bay next to the aquarium for free. Prepare for lots of kids on field trips, some even threw their trash into the water! What a shame!

Joyce Polk

The Aquarium was absolutely beautiful!! I was lucky enough to be able to spend a wonderful day with my beautiful daughter and my most precious 2 grandchildren!! I had a fabulous and very informative experience at the aquarium. The staff are all great. It was a wonderful experience!! I will be coming more often with my babies!!

Devon Campbell

I came here again this year after not having been as a child. I was blown away by their care, their volunteers and how knowledgeable their staff was. The gift shop is crazy GREEN too. I am so happy to see a facility still doing so well for the environment and have localized education. great job you guys

Lisa Melba

One of the best aquariums I have been to. Fun for kids and adults! Highly recommend for so many reasons! Spend time outside as well on the harbor!

Heather Freeland

I volunteered here. Best place to visit and get educated. Beautiful and relaxing.

nathaniel sundholm

Small. Good to do in 2hrs or so. Touch tanks were welcoming and interactive. Emphasis on local fish, which was interesting. Their turtle hospital was also very special.

Clev Starr

Good place to take the family. Very engaging to see the diversity of wild life. Fish, turtles, snakes, sharks, starfish, you name it and they good it. The stingray hands one exhibit is great. Allow children to touch the stingrays is a great experience. It's a memory they'll never forget.

Greg Aument

Great visit. We were able to watch the divers go into the big tank. It was the highlight of her day. The volunteer diver waved to her and gave her a fist pound from the opposite side of the glass. It is super kid friendly. So many activities for little hands to test out and experience. It is a great tool for hands on learning. My favorite part was seeing the bald eagle. Such an impressive bird. If you are a teacher, make sure you show your ID so you can get in for free.

Gina Rothwell

This is a beautiful aquarium. My kids (8, 5, and 3) really enjoy it, and it is clean, well maintained, and interactive. The staff has also been very knowledgable. I have a precocious 8 year old, and they've taught him something each time we've visited. Of course their most favorite are the touch tanks - rays, dogfish sharks, and starfish - but there is a lot more to learn and see. We have always been lucky enough to pet some animal ambassadors as well. The current Lego additions are also fun for them. They also really enjoy "meeting" the sea turtles who are being rehabilitated and playing the interactive game in that area. All in all, lots to see and do; the whole time we are there, everyone is having fun. The only downside is that it is somewhat expensive. We have a membership to the Riverbanks Zoo, which they offer a discount for. There are other organizations that, if you have a membership, the aquarium will give you a discount, it is on their website. To see everything takes us 2-2.5 hours.

dave hilyard

It was enjoyable, but small. The exhibits are limited due to state law. Recommend the combo ticket of maritime museum and aquarium.

Candy Phillips

Awesome place! Lots to see and do. Plenty of benches to rest on. An enjoyable way to spend several hours.

Bryan Brendley

A fantastic attraction for the whole family. The sea turtle rescue exhibit was very informative and interactive. The great ocean tank programs with the interactive use of website was unique. All of the staff was courteous and helpful. The entire aquarium is clean and cool (a must for the summer)! The price is a little high, but always well worth it.

CJ Roy

Beautiful and varied ocean life. Exhibits are very interactive and stimulating for young children and anyone that yearns to see the wonders of nature and the ocean.

James Blount

Good downtown aquarium. Pricier than expected. Liked they a had live sea turtles in recovery center. Also got to feed rays.

Rouleen Williams

Great morning spent here. I recommend the option to feed the stingrays.

bestof thebakery

I usually love aquariums, but this one was a little underwhelming. The cost to get in was a little high for what we saw in the exhibits. I thought the exhibits were so small and unimaginary, with the exception of the larger fish tank, made me feel sorry for the animals in them. The staff; however, I thought was very friendly and took a lot of pride in their work. I wish we could have seen more turtles, but there were only 2, but it was great to see what they do to rescue them, that makes the entry cost a little easier to take.

Shawn Hughes

Nice aquarium with lots too do. Good for young kids or a day too hot or raining outside

Janet Frisco

It's a great place to get to know our environment and local wildlife

Lenna Smith

This was great! Loved petting the dogfish. And the American bald eagle was beautiful. Most people never see one that close. Very worth the price of the ticket.

Myrtle Vaughn

I'm giving it a 5 stars because they really do work very hard to keep attractions well maintained and interesting. They also offer a lot of intern and volunteer experience for interested locals and college students. I maintain a membership because it is relaxing to walk through during lunch hour.

tristan rundle

We have a 3 year old daughter and she loved the aquarium. There are birds, fish, snakes and turtles. There are also blocks to play with and attractions for all ages. The staff were friendly and helpful. Some of the displays were a little small and I felt bad for the animals in them. It is great experience for kids though.

Deanne Adams

This aquarium has a nice variety of fish and sea creatures to enjoy. My family especially likes the big two story ocean tank where you can watch larger fish, sharks, and a sea turtle.

John Stevenson

Pretty awesome place for kids and adults. Fun activities, exhibits, and a variety of wildlife. A standard stop for us when in Charleston with kids. Highly recommend!

Allie Moreland

Great staff and beautiful exhibits. Pretty small and lacking in main attractions like sharks or dolphins considering the high price-though I understand it must be expensive to preserve the animals. The sea turtles are awesome! Sad the otters were sleeping.

Andrea Pucc

It's been 15 years since I've been here! I cant believe how much has changed and how much hasn't...! Its lovely to see the condition of the aquarium so well maintained. Unfortunately the care of some of the turtles and tortoises could be better suited for them as they need much larger enclosures and better diets. Hopefully that will be something taken into consideration!

Lilly

Genuinely feel like we got our money's worth, especially with the addition of feeding and petting different animals. Honestly this was so much fun as a young adult as the staff trusts you more and is willing to let you do things they can't let kids do.

Shawna Lashbrook

Very disappointed. We had a party of 7 youngest being 13. Spent over $200 to see some fish and pet a sting ray. There were some dog sharks to pet but not worth the money if you have older children. Probably would've been better if our kids were younger.

Adriana Felder

Small enough for a quick visit , educational If you are looking for some entertainment for your little ones it’s a good spot to check out especially if you get a rainy day during your Charleston visit . Beware closes at 4pm. Would not recommend to go too late as you might not get your money’s worth . Great gift shop ! Was actually impressed with the selection of toys and small gifts .

Jennifer Brown

Wonderful experience! So much to see, and do and my kids loved feeding the stingrays!

Bridget Blackburn

I love this aquarium! It is $29.50 per adult and the aquarium isn't the largest but there is still plenty to see, like the turtle rehabilitation center and the albino alligator. A must visit if your visiting Charleston.

Cassondra Swaffield

Absolutely stunning! Beautiful views, friendly and knowledgable staff. Well worth the price of admission! Loads of activities for children! We were able to stay a little after closing to watch boats come in. Such a great choice for a Saturday activity!

Eric Mahala

5 stars wouldve been the rating had it had a little cheaper price to get in

Brad Billings

Enjoyed the aquarium. Very nice exhibits and educational! Loved how kid friendly everything was. Felt like the price was a bit high for 3 adults and 3 kids, considering the overall size of the aquarium. Would have been nice if we could have used our zoo membership from NC Zoo.

Sean

I was very impressed by the exhibits, technology incorporated and the live turtle trauma center bringing the individual much closer to the impacts of people. The large aquarium in the center is very tranquil, parking was meh. 1$ per half hour was reasonable for me but families driving there spending much more time and trying to watch the aquarium shows I find it unreasonable. The aquarium itself though was nice and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Erin Robinson

Cute aquarium. It is based on local south Carolina ecosystems, which a lot of aquariums don't do. It does have a huge deep ocean tank, which you could watch all day. I would definitely recommend it as a part of your day.

Brendan Balken

Love this place. It's expensive considering it's really only a half day thing but the money goes to a good cause. These people do a lot of great things.

B Braun

Cute rather small aquarium. Nice displays and fish tanks but over-priced for the limited experience.

NRB Brown

I REALLY enjoyed my visit to the aquarium. We touched the stingrays and experienced strong winds in the "hurricane simulator" machine. I was in awe when the scuba diver that was swimming in the tank waved at me. There were 2 scuba divers in the tank. It was really nice.

Stephen Hunt

Lots of fun for kids and adults. Sometimes soothing even. Definitely worth a membership.

Emily Miller Faulkner

My husband and I visited here today! Although a smaller venue, we spent a couple of hours walking around to see all of the exhibits. We especially enjoyed the education talks that are scheduled every 30min in various areas of the aquarium (sea turtle chat is awesome!). Would highly recommend this for a visit, especially if you visit Charleston during the warmer months, as it's a good spot to beat the heat.

Mary Kossan

Small but nice. Kids liked it a lot.

Claire Crawford

We went first thing on a Monday morning. It was not terribly crowded. The aquarium is laid out very well and you can spend as much as little time as you like in each area. I especially enjoyed the turtle hospital where you could see the current patients and learn their stories. Touch and feeding tanks were available (especially nice for children). The staff was knowledgeable and helpful. This would be great for a really hot afternoon or rainy day.

daniel prochnow

We feed the Skates. It was an awesome visit. Just make sure you get there early!

N Elias

Definitely a place to go if you are in the area. In addition to the fish, reptiles and sea turtles they have a bald eagle that was rescued. They have a very large tank to feed and touch stingrays. There are many activities for the family. If you are in the military they offer military discounts. Parking is near by and is reasonably priced. It is located within walking distance to shopping and dining.

medic875

Here for evening event. Great food. Very relaxing.

Lee Wright

This is a great regional aquarium. The staff were super friendly and fun with the kids. The exhibits are nicely laid out with some great animals to see. Really nice way to spend a few hours.

Diana Warren

Walked down to this attraction from downtown Charleston. After paying our tickets, we immediately checked out the Stingray tank as there was a showing going on. After touching the stingrays, we went inside. First thing we see after going up the escalator was Liberty, a beautiful Bald Eagle. The exhibits are small but considering the size of the building & the amount of animals, they make the most out of it. One of the coolest things is the huge water tank they have inside called the Great Ocean Tank. That thing is massive. They also have an Albino Alligator living indoors which is a rare thing to see. The last exhibit we saw was the most important part, the focus on sea turtles and their survival. They have tanks and medical equipment to care for the sea turtles that are found all over the east coast. Overall, this place is small but with so many animals to see, its worth the fee to walk in and enjoy to see them.

Joe LaNunziata

Very friendly and courteous atmosphere. Very educational. Convenient parking nearby.

Alyssa Beard

Loved the lego exhibits. Staff was helpful and informative about animals. Kids enjoyed their time there

Brian Whitson

This was a cool place to visit. A bit more expensive than other aquariums but they do a AAA discount so that helped. It is well laid out and they have an albino alligator. It was cool to see him stand under water. The aquarium shows some of the aquatic life in each of the regions of SC which is cool. There is a turtle rescue station in the aquarium that provides some of the details of the turtles as well. I would recommend it. It takes about 2 hours.

Dillon Forte

I enjoyed this place a lot actually. There was so much to see inside, like the ocean exhibit with the sharks and big fish and the sea turtle rehab area with the beautiful massive sea turtles. The real star in my opinion though was the albino alligator. Something as rare as that is really amazing and special to see, as well as beautiful. Kids would probably enjoy this place a lot, but I went there as an adult and had a great time.

Philip Calfina

Beautiful aquarium. Upkeep is phenomenal. Was very impressed.

Mac McCormick III

A wonderful aquarium highlighting South Carolina's aquatic wildlife from the coast to the Piedmont, now with a Sea Turtle Rescue Facility added. The staff is friendly and informative. Sitting at the tanks at watching the fish swim around is amazingly relaxing.

Terrie Wood

Great staff. Very helpful and informative. Had lots of fun. Thanks so much

cody herman

It was a nice aquarium. Has more than just fish! I would recommend going if you’re in the area.

Jade Lebeau

This place is fantastic. Had a great time. You can even touch sting Ray's, they are silly soft

Brendon Thomas

My family and I had a great here! The layout is pretty nice and there is a great view of the river. We also got to touch stingrays, starfish, hermit crabs, whelk, sea urchins, and horseshoe crabs. The only downside is it's a small aquarium.

Madeleine Pearce

We visited yesterday and immediately purchased a membership! I have a 15 month old and she loved the sea otters, touch tanks, toddler play area, and seeing the fishies. I loved those same things plus the gorgeous views of Charleston and our Ravenel Bridge. Wonderful, thoughtful exhibits exhibits! Great emphasis on wildlife and conservation. The trading posts are very cool and will be fun as she gets older (if you are planning a visit, bring some cool seashells or other items found in nature). Looking forward to many visits as a family! The AC felt GREAT and truly an awesome new activity that beats playing outside during these hot summer months.

Essa Scott

For $30 a person we weren't impressed. The exhibits were pretty cool just felt small for two stories. Also it was so super packed it was hard to enjoy.

jk22222sd

Very, very small aquarium. It is so tiny, you can easily see everything in about 10 minutes. Admission was too high considering how small it is. Not impressed.

monty ridenhour

Took our 4 1/2 yo and 21 mo grandchildren and they thoroughly enjoyed it. Staff is great . Very informative and patient with children. A little pricey, but the exhibits were terrific. Parking a short walk away. Can catch the free shuttle in front of the aquarium and with a transfer or two you can go to most places o interest in Charleston.

Hunley Pants

This is a great place to take kids. Feeding the stingrays is worth the extra $2. My daughter really enjoyed that and the woman at the exhibit was very nice to her. There are some things for toddlers and young children to do. The main reason I give the aquarium for stars instead of 5 is because it's expensive for what you get. You can do everything in an hour even if you take your time.

Weeb Weeb

I have been to many aquariums (Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco, among others) This was one of my favorite ones. The variety of marine life surprised me. They have a 12 meter deep tank with over 500 fish which is incredible to watch. The aquarium also has other rooms which are differentiated by ecosystem. One section is home to their sea turtle rehabilitation center which is an awesome educational experience and great for the turtles. I highly recommend this aquarium!

Paul Leonardo

Absolutely wonderful experience. My wife and I enjoyed the whole aquarium from petting the sting rays, to watching the otters play in their area and petting baby sharks. A great place to stop by and explore. Also took some great pics of a bald eagle. Pay a visit, you wont regret it.

klatoo14

Always love going to this place. Very much enjoyed them having a Bald Eagle exhibit. Outstanding attractions and a white alligator!

Stephanie Robertson

Rather expensive for the size of the aquarium. Great Sea Turtle display and rescue! Amazing view of the Ravenel Bridge. We saw dolphins swimming in the wild from the overlook as well! There was a sign posted explaining it is illegal for the aquarium to hold dolphins or whales in captivity. Manta Ray feeding petting area was really cool!

MD D

If you are an animal lover do not visit. I don't know who designed, implemented, or approved the Charleston Aquarium BUT the animals were not in the forefront of their plans. The majority of the animals are enclosed in spaces that are too small. The most disheartening is the American Eagle. The bird is listed as wounded but she actually looks depressed. Her cage is small, and her foot is tethered to a rope. Eagles are the rulers of the air. This poor bird was continuously looking upward seemingly longing to soar away. The small living enclosures continued for the various fish, snakes, albino alligator, & one smaller bird. The small tree frogs fared the best in regards to living space. Basically this aquarium is few steps above a circus. The animals are displayed for the amusement of people.

Keith Wood

Great aquarium! Sea Turtle hospital is a must see.

Joanna Gable

A good place to take out of town people. It can get a little loud but you can usually find somewhere quiet of its too much. The education programs are great for all ages

Erin Smith

We loved this place, especially the kids! It was nice to see the sea turtle rehabilitation area & how they release them back after they are better. Be sure to catch the river otter feeding time! That was our highlight. The only reason we gave it 4 stars is because it is a bit pricey for a family of 4 to go.

Daniel Griffiths

It was quite expensive and smaller then expected but we had a great time. The exhibits around sea turtles and the outreach they do for them are amazing. That portion of the aquarium made up for the steep admission charge.

Caroline Faircloth

This aquarium had it all! From a giant tank with sharks, to stingrays you can pet, to a turtle rehab center and a great waterfront view. I just wish that it was bigger. I will definitely be back if I am ever in the area.

Michelle Schnurr

Either new or recently refurbished well-appointed aquarium with a thoughtfully designed floor plan (their map shows the suggested route to maximize the exhibits). Rehabilitation and conservation of the animals and wildlife are emphasized throughout, and one of their best exhibits is the sea turtle rescue center. While $30 per adult is on the steeper side of ticket prices, at least you can feel comfortable they are using it for a good cause. Went on a weekday afternoon and it was wonderfully quiet.

Angellica Wildflower

Really fun. On the small side, but it was great. The sea turtle rescue and vet was absolutely amazing. Getting to see and learn about these amazing creatures was a highlight of our honeymoon!

Ambar Jackson

Expensive but plenty to explore and learn about. Great place for toddlers up to tourists. Stroller and double stroller friendly and staff is helpful and informative!

John Wenner

Expensive, but good aquarium. To clarify, I wouldn't say it is too expensive, but on par with most other aquariums. My kids actually had a great time there with the touch pools and the interaction with animals (they had a snake to touch and an owl out to see). Compared to other aquariums, this one was pretty good.

Reinaldo Rementeria

A bit small but great exhibits. They have something for everyone. Great location. I was surprised that they had more than just aquatic animals in display.

MVF

This a very nice place to visit, there is a interaction for kids, check the programs, the staff is so kind and helpful.

Sean Graves

Many different species of fish, snakes, alligator, and others located inside. It has a wonderful view of a river and a deck to walk out on to enjoy fresh air. I reccommend visiting. Grrat for families!

Anthony White

All staff are extremely friendly and very informative. We were approached at various sections, on a busy day, and given neat information. Stroller friendly, and easy to get around. Great location to bring the family for a fun and great learning experience!

JimmyCee2 c

It's a very accessible addition to the Charlston water front. A great place for everyone

James Smith

The South Carolina Aquarium is a must for family's with small children. It wasn't too busy on a Monday morning. It isn't a huge aquarium, you should expect to get through it and experience it in about an hour and a half. The staff was great and informative. Aside from the great exhibits, there are a lot of interactive things to do. There are a lot of smaller animals being walked around by staff for everyone to see and touch. There is also a touch tank which is very neat and your child will definitely like it.

Brianna Mayfield

The SC Aquarium was top notch both in view and in hospitality. We saw dolphins out in the harbor before even going inside. Drew, one of the employees, was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly and honestly made our time that much more memorable. We also had the opportunity to do a backstage tour which I highly recommend! Overall fantastic experience.

Evan Guthrie

I really enjoy the South Carolina Aquarium as an aquarium and an event space venue. In most recent years I have attended the aquarium mostly for events and it is awesome to be there at night among all of the fish, sharks, and other sea and wildlife. Sometimes it feels a little off eating seafood in front of the fish, but I keep doing it anyway. This place really captures the imagination and does it in an educational way that is really great. The staff here allows you to run around and have fun in a responsible way that does not stop the good time. I am happy that this venue exists and I have always had a really great time at the South Carolina Aquarium and look forward to coming back many times in the future.

roger frazier

The entire family enjoyed our visit. Interacting with the scuba divers in the ocean exhibit was fun! A lot of the displays lacked information. There is a log near the eagle exhibit with a snake inside with absolutely no info. No sign, nothing. Otherwise, it was a nice experience. Just don't go there with Ga aquarium expectations!

Erik Neff

A very good aquarium! Their pro-active role in sea turtle conservation and rescue/rehabilitation makes it especially interesting and significant.

Jeffrey Smithers

Excellent aquarium! Not huge but packed with amazing fish and information. The sea turtle rehab area is top notch. It is a real rehab area with sea turtles they are preparing to eventually release. You can see the turtles in their tanks, read about each turtles story, and see turtle Xrays. They have a CT scanner for the turtles and and exercise tank as a last step before they release them. So worth the trip. Amazing!

Renee Edwards

Our family loved the entire aquarium especially the sea turtles. Very educational as well.

Shelly Daisy D

Great place for the entire family. Kids of all ages will enjoy and have a blast. Beautiful setting, and on the trolley route for convenience. Hop on and off as you tour the city.

Matthew Emory

Lots of fun and educational activities for kids! Hourly shows and demonstrations involving all sorts of local wildlife.

Ben Lannigan

Perfect aquarium for our coast. Always clean and well maintained, my favorites are the salt marsh and the Upstate galleries. And of course the turtle re-hab.

Patricia Chriss

Really enjoyed going to the aquarium I wish the prices wasn't so high

Stuart Simmons

It’s very nice. I enjoyed feeding the Rays and getting to touch them.

Lindsay Sutton

My husband and I had a great time at the aquarium! All of the animals and fish were out and about, and there were many staff members all around displaying animals (like the barn owl) and willing and ready to explain and answer any question. We felt very welcomed and enjoyed our time. We went on a Monday morning, too, so we got to avoid a lot of crowds. Perfect date for us!

Abinash Patra

It’s average aquarium. I have been to a few aquariums and in comparison to them it’s pretty average not many shows infact no shows. But this is definitely a good addition to Charleston. The water front is awesome.

Brandon Givens

I love this place! An albino alligator, a bald eagle, and some of the largest venomous snakes I've ever seen! The sea turtle rehab is open and gives great insight on sea turtle life. That's just an added bonus on top of all the other marine and reptile exhibits. Definitely make this a stop on your agenda!

Andy Davidson

Very nice aquarium with several additions and improvements since our last visit a couple of years ago. Love the work they do for rescuing/saving turtles and educating the public! Keep up the good work!! Kids will love it too!

Dondella Gibson

I love the aquarium and all of the fish that is shown that lives off of the coast of South Carolina. I went there when they first opened up and they have come a long way since then. I thought the grouper fish they have is really cute. Beautiful place.

Sarah Gray

Would definitely recommend this place on the summer. We only went because it was to hot outside and needed an indoor activity. We were pleasantly surprised, there were a variety of well done exhibits and some interactive ones as well.

supermom42 champs4him

As a Native Charlestonian, I have supported the South Carolina Aquarium since its beginning, despite the high admission. It's hard to put a price on indigenous, educational fun. My children, along with their closest friends, practically grew up at the Aquarium. The Aquarium has always been the go-to stop for us to take our guests from out-of-town as well. From time to time, we might experience an unsatisfactory visit due to a disappointing exhibit, disorganized event, or the occasional employee whom didn't seem to fit within the confines of the "Aquarium Family". Hospitable. Friendly. Helpful. Respectful. Kind. My interaction today with Brandon, the Aquarium's "Customer Service Specialist" was disappointing. The experience was so negative, that we will NOT return to the Aquarium. Unfortunately after presenting a simple and reasonable request to Brandon, he was rude, disrespectful, inhospitable, and condescending. There are too many other sites to see and places to go in our beautiful city whether you're entertaining friends from out-of-town, or playing a tourist in your own town. What a shame!

Iceblue Eyes

Nice aquarium. Needs enlargement. Not enough to do to fill up a nice part of your day. Decent gift shop. I absolutely love the penny crushing machine. They are hard to find now days and they had 3 machines with 4 choices each. Nice selection. Prices were a little expensive in the gift shop. Didn't find anything I had to have or couldn't live without. Especially enjoyed touching the dog shark I think it was. I spent at least 30 minutes there. They were so sociable.

Peyton Wergin

My husband and I just got back from a cruise that was suppose to stop in Bermuda, but due to the hurricane we only stopped in Charleston. We decided obviously last minute to stop by the aquarium and see what it was like. We were honestly shocked at how nice of an aquarium this place was, how friendly everyone was, how clean everything was and all of the care of the animals. Not going to Bermuda clearly sucked but thanks to this aquarium it wasn’t a trip completely lost, because we have great memories now from this place. We have been to a good amount of aquariums and this is one of the top if not the top so far. Thank you everyone at the aquarium especially Dennis who gave us a little behind the scenes tour and taught us a lot about the aquarium.

Caroline Staley

We love this aquarium! So much to do and see for all ages. The touch tanks are great and the otters are so cute and entertaining! They've added some cool interactive features, as well. A must see when in Charleston!

Romine Visual Arts

The exhibits are beautiful! But what made this the best aquarium experience we have ever had was the amazing staff. Molly took us through the back and showed us the top of the shark tank, the kitchen where all the fish's food is prepared and played games with our 3 year old about which animals ate which foods.

Curtis Teixeira

One of the best in the country! So many things to do for kids and adults. Great views from the observation decks as well.

Tiffany Blackwell

A fantastic place to spend the day in Charleston! We bought season passes for 2018 and loved going there and taking guests. They were surprised by how big the aquarium was and how many animals are there to see and touch! Highlights are definitely the stingray touch tank and sea turtle hospital. I also loved the trading post were you can bring in items you find out on the coast and trade it for an item they have there. Really fun idea.

Ronald Burruss

Liked it not loved it the saving grace was the detective show at the big tank. Detective sher-lock was fun

Michelle Dennis

Nice little aquarium tucked into a tight space. Lots of kid-friendly exhibits

Scott Vollweiler

Always a fun time for. Kids of all. Ages. Came during Shark Week. Always come back for fun events.

Sierra Grande

Totally cool but omg expensive. Family of four was just over $100. All the exhibits and aquariums were in excellent condition. There is also a good size area where kids can pet baby sharks and play with educational toys. Could use a better cafeteria. Just have your wallet ready.

Katie Jenkins

Fun for the whole family! Friendly staff. Beautiful views.

Eric Mallam

There is the main tank which is glorious but they need another for that price....

Ronald Conant

A memorable experience even 4 years later, combine with trip to the Fort.

Jesse Nix

I loved the outdoor dolphin "exhibit". The aquarium itself was gorgeous, but it felt a bit small and didn't take long to get through. There were a lot things centered towards children!! :)

Michael Teramano

The SC Aquarium was really impressive. There are staff everywhere and they're all courteous. There were several traveling live exhibits - a staff member was standing there holding a snake for people to pet and then someone else had a turtle. You walk up, pet the thing, and carry on. This place is also cool because it's set up to mimic the ecosystems of the state of South Carolina - you start at the mountains and experience the wildlife and work your way to the coastal areas and experience the wildlife. There are two places to touch animals (touch tanks) and then several educational things scheduled throughout the day (Turtle Talk, Feed the Otters, etc). And the views of Charleston Harbor are really nice - aircraft carrier, sea port, the rivers that all meet at the harbor, Fort Sumter, etc

Kerry Cosgrove

Nice aquarium with stingrays to pet and a touch pool. We got to see the otters at feeding time so they were active. There are many fish to see for a smallish aquarium.

Kay Taylor

Absolutely love this place! My bf took me here for my birthday and it was incredible. They took me behind the scenes and let me see the top of the their 42 deep tank. Tip: parking at the meter is free. Otherwise it’s cheaper to go to the parking garage.

Geoff Samuelson

It's ok. I wasn't that impressed much. Not bad it just could be better

Payton Stock

This place is amazing! It has a very strong emphasis on ocean protection and cleanup. Very cool section with live sea turtles in rehab from injuries. Lots of close up and touch encounters. Great for all ages.