Independent Visitor Guide · Liberty Square, Charleston

Everything below the waterline at Charleston’s aquarium.

From mountain streams to the open ocean, the South Carolina Aquarium traces the state’s waters through nine galleries and more than 60 exhibits. Here’s how to plan your visit, what to see first, and how the Sea Turtle Care Center works.

Plan Your Visit See the Exhibits
Today’s hours · open daily, gates close at 5:00 PM
9:00 AM open 3:30 PM last entry 5:00 PM close
Address
100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone
(843) 577-3474
Parking
City garage, 24 Calhoun St, next to Liberty Square
Closed
Thanksgiving & Dec 25 · half-day Dec 24
The Nine Galleries

A journey from the mountains to the sea, one tank at a time.

01

Mountain Forest

River otters, owls, and the headwaters of South Carolina’s watersheds — the aquarium’s journey starts inland, not at the coast.

River Otters
02

Coastal Plain & Salt Marsh

Alligators, great blue herons, and the tidal marshes that make up most of the Lowcountry shoreline.

Alligators
03

Great Ocean Tank

A 385,000-gallon centerpiece with sharks, rays, and divers doing live feeds — the tank most guests remember longest.

Sharks & Rays
04

Touch Tank Pool

Hands-on encounters with horseshoe crabs, whelks, and other tide-pool residents — a favorite for younger visitors.

Hands-On
05

Bald Eagle Aviary

A resident bald eagle overlooks the harbor from an open-air enclosure near the Great Ocean Tank.

Birds of Prey
06

Sea Turtle Care Center™

A working rehabilitation hospital for injured and stranded sea turtles, visible to guests from an observation window.

Conservation
Behind the Glass

The Sea Turtle Care Center is a real hospital, not an exhibit.

Injured and cold-stunned sea turtles are treated on-site, then released back into the ocean once they recover. Guests can watch the rehabilitation work through a viewing window — patients change throughout the year, so no two visits look the same.

5,000+
Animals across the building
60+
Exhibits in nine galleries
90 min
Recommended visit length
Plan Ahead

Tickets move like the tide — here’s how to time it.

Ticket Pricing
Admission uses a dynamic calendar — prices shift by day, season, and demand, so booking earlier for a specific date usually costs less.
Best Time to Go
Weekday mornings before 11 AM or after 2 PM tend to be quieter than weekends and summer midday hours.
Membership
Frequent visitors can offset the cost with an annual membership, which includes unlimited admission and gift shop discounts.
Getting There
Most exhibits are indoors. The closest parking is the city garage on Calhoun Street, a short walk to Liberty Square.
Frequently Asked

Questions first-time visitors usually ask.

Most guests spend two or more hours exploring; the aquarium recommends setting aside at least 90 minutes to see all nine galleries without rushing. Guests may stay until closing regardless of entry time.

Last entry is 3:30 PM daily, an hour and a half before the building closes at 5:00 PM, so there's still time to see the full route if you arrive by mid-afternoon.

Yes — the majority of galleries are indoors, so it's a solid option on a rainy Charleston afternoon. A few outdoor spaces, like the bald eagle aviary, connect between the indoor halls.

No — this is an independent visitor guide. For official tickets, current pricing, and any schedule changes, visit the aquarium's own site directly before you go.