As you splash around in the surf of the Atlantic Ocean this vacation, you may look out at the vast expanse of seawater and wonder about all of the living creatures and secrets it holds. Wonder no more and come see for yourself at Ripley’s Aquarium Myrtle Beach, South Carolina at Broadway at the Beach. One of the Grand Strand’s finest and most wondrous attractions, this eighty-five thousand square foot Ripley’s Aquarium Myrtle Beach houses some of the most fascinating and exciting inhabitants of the ocean. No need to go searching for marine life at the beach when you can come face to face with stingrays, sea turtles, sharks and much more!
You will be amazed at how much there is to see and do at the Ripley’s Aquarium. The biggest and most popular area is the awe-inspiring Dangerous Reef. Visitors will travel along a moving path that takes them through a tunnel that is completely surrounded by water and tons of sea life. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for a sea turtle or two, some snappers, and of course, sharks! You will have the opportunity to see predators native to the coast of the Atlantic, such as nurse sharks and sandbar sharks, and may even catch a glimpse of the fierce sand tiger shark. This exhibit will make you feel as though you are truly under the sea and up close and personal with those that call it home.
Rio Amazon
The Rio Amazon exhibit will introduce you to some of the more exotic fish that can be found in the fresh waters of the Amazon River. See the seemingly small, but deadly and carnivorous red-bellied piranha or the arawana fish that is able to jump six feet out of the water to catch its dinner. Stingrays, armored catfish, and more unusual species abound in this exhibit that gives you a peek at the marine life of South America. Change geography a bit and head to the Rainbow Rock exhibit which will let viewers have a glimpse of the colorful aquatic life of the Pacific Ocean. You will see many fish that are native to the Indo-Pacific region of the world including the polka-dotted clown triggerfish, the schooling raccoon butterfly fish and even the mystical looking blue spine unicorn fish…complete with a unicorn-looking horn!
Discovery Center and Ray Bay
Two other popular exhibits at the Ripley’s Aquarium are the Discovery Center and Ray Bay. The Discovery Center is an interactive and educational playground that is especially fun for younger visitors but will also be appealing to adults. Educators are on hand to answer all questions and give important information regarding the marine life in the aquarium and you can even have an opportunity to learn about and experience the excitement of holding a real live horseshoe crab! At Ray Bay, you will learn about and see several different kinds of stingrays which are perceived to be scary but are actually gentle and affectionate creatures. You can experience this for yourself at the shallow waters of Touch a Ray Bay where you will have the chance to reach out and touch stingrays as they glide past.
