Ripley’s Aquarium Brings the Ocean to Dry Land in Myrtle Beach

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You don’t have to go scuba diving to discover the wonders of the ocean in Myrtle Beach. A short trip to Broadway at the Beach will do for a day of fun at Ripley’s Aquarium. See sharks, stingrays, jellyfish, eels and rare species of fish – all on dry land.

Rated as Myrtle Beach’s No. 1 attraction in recent years, Ripley’s Aquarium offers the unique experience of getting up close and personal with some of the most interesting creatures in the sea. Exhibits canvas the waters from the four corners of the earth to bring their inhabitants to light and give guests a first-hand view of their beauty.

More than 1.5 million gallons of water are pumped through the facility each day to recreate the natural environments of the animals. The crystal-clear walls allow visitors to peer inside their worlds and gain a new perspective on the world’s oceans, rivers and estuaries, along with the diversity of life that lives within them.

The highlight of Ripley’s Aquarium comes in the form of a 330-foot moving walkway that carries guests through shark-infested waters. Ride on a people-mover for more than the length of a football field through Danger Reef, where hundreds of sharks swarm around and give visitors a close look at the teeth that strikes fear in the hearts of humans.

Be sure to check the schedule for feeding time and watch the prehistoric creatures do what they do best. See hammerheads, tiger sharks, nurse sharks and a wide range of species in the only environment you would feel comfortable getting this close. It’s among the many fascinating displays that the whole family can enjoy.

The Rio Amazon exhibit features sea life from the tropical rainforest, including the deadly piranha and other rare species. Rainbow Rock displays a large collection of fish from the Great Barrier Reef, where countless colorful creatures put on their own shows for spectators. Ray Bay takes guests to the mysterious underwater world of the stingray. Visitors can pet them and, for an additional fee, go swimming with the playful and harmless creatures.

Ripley’s Aquarium offers lots of interactive experiences, like the hands-on learning at the Discovery Center and the personal interaction at Friendship Flats. Regular shows are held to highlight various aspects life under water, which occupies three-fourths of the earth’s surface. Amazing facts and fun activities come together for an educational and entertaining experience.

Ripley’s Aquarium also offers some not-so-factual displays, like the live mermaid shows that feature costumed characters swimming in the makeshift sea. A large mascot shark, aptly nicknamed Sharky, patrols the aquarium to greet visitors and pose for photos. A full-service snack bar and gift shop are among the many things to see and do at this award-winning attraction.

In the works for the new year is a new penguin exhibit, which will bring the cute and cuddly creatures of Antarctica to a climate-controlled playroom enclosed in glass. Guests can observe these awe-inspiring birds in action as they swim, play, eat and hop from rock to rock. The exhibit is scheduled to open in the summer of 2015.

Best of all, guests at Bayview Resort receive one free ticket good for admission to Ripley’s Aquarium, as well as other popular attractions. Take advantage of your Sun Fun Bonus to visit Ripley’s Aquarium at no cost. The doors open at 9 a.m. daily, closing at 6:30 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and at 7:30 on Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets may be purchased at the Ripley’s Aquarium window or by visiting www.ripleysaquariums.com/myrtlebeach.

 

(Posted: 1/23/15)