A Day at the South Carolina Aquarium

Story and Photography by Mark A. Leon

In the coastal town of Charleston, South Carolina where charm and warm Southern etiquette are part of our DNA, it is fitting that we have an aquarium pitted right on the Charleston Harbor that deems the same beauty and respect as the rest of our colony.  Charleston is a place passionate about history, knowledge and marine biology.  From the sharks to the gators, stingrays to starfish, the interest for aquatic life is one that fuels us with ambition, intrigue and desire.  Even for those that have Southern blood through and through, the sighting of a dolphin or sea turtle is one filled with wonder.

As I walked through the floors of the South Carolina Aquarium with a spectacular view of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and passing sailboats in the back, I was taken to a time of innocence when I was a little boy and all I wanted to do was see all the colors of the fish, touch them as they swam beneath the water and talk to them hoping through some miracle they would talk back and with the addition of new Lego displays, that feeling of childhood was intensified.

Whether you are five years old or eighty, there is a place for you at the aquarium.  With wide open spaces, a staff that truly loves to teach and awe inspiring moments including an eight foot albino alligator and majestic bald eagle, you will not regret a day of escape and learning.

Come with me as we share a photo expose of a day at the South Carolina Aquarium.

Welcome to Liberty Square

 

 

Stingray

Stingray

 

Spectacular view of the harbor

Spectacular view of the harbor

 

Proud bald eagle loves to pose

Proud bald eagle loves to pose

 

Otters have a soothing waterfall to put them to sleep

Otters have a soothing waterfall to put them to sleep

 

Lego otter

Lego otter

 

Lego frog

Lego frog

 

Alligator

Alligator

 

Gator up close

Gator up close

 

A view poisonous snakes are lurking

A view poisonous snakes are lurking

 

Turtles just trotting along

Turtles just trotting along

 

Lego shark - Great photo opportunity

Lego shark – Great photo opportunity

 

Need information? Go to the Shrimp Shack

Go to the Shrimp Shack to purchase food to feed the outdoor water creatures

 

Bricks Alive - Where Lego and fish co-exist

Bricks Alive – Where Lego and fish co-exist

 

Nemo and Dory playing in their Lego home

Nemo and Dory playing in their Lego home

 

Love to pet the baby sharks

Love to pet the baby sharks

 

Starfish

Starfish

 

The rich colors and style of the ocean life

The rich colors and style of the ocean life

 

We are all in school to learn

We are all in school to learn

 

Just getting along

Just getting along

 

Lego dolphin - Sorry, no real ones

Lego dolphin – Sorry, no real ones

 

Belly flopping shark

Belly flopping shark

 

Rich blues of the ocean floor

Rich blues of the ocean floor

 

Just Flounering Around

Just Flounering Around

 

You Lookin' At Me?

You Lookin’ At Me?

 

Look Out! Its a Shark

Look Out! Its a Shark

 

Ollie’s Trading Post

 

Sea Turtle Love

If you have not visited, it is time to make your way, so round up the family and enjoy a day with the wonders of the water.  If you have already walked the hallowed halls, why not remember why you loved it in the first place.

For locals, the SC Aquarium offers wonderful annual passes/memberships.  Their new membership cards are now being produced with biodegradable material and make for a wonderful gift.

Learn more about the aquarium

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