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Marine Lovers Rejoice at Ripley's Aquarium

Ripley's Aquarium is part of the Ripley Entertainment family of worldwide entertainment facilities including Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, a second world class aquarium in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. More than 13 million people visit Ripley's 73 attractions in 12 countries each year. Ripley Entertainment Inc. is a division of the Jim Pattison Group, the third largest privately held company in Canada.

Imagine you are on an expedition with Robert Ripley exploring an equatorial rainforest that receives over 400 inches of rain per year; that is about an inch of rain each day! The Amazon River, which moves over 4 million cubic feet of water per second, is filled with piranhas, stingrays, armored catfish and lots of other exotic freshwater species. See them for yourself at Ripley's Aquarium!

Filled with thousands of fish of every shape and size, Dangerous Reef, is the largest and most popular exhibit. Leisurely travel on a moving 340-foot long glide path, as you wind your way through the acrylic tunnel and come face to face with snappers, tarpons, grunts, squirrelfish, a green sea turtle, giant stingrays, sawfish and...very large SHARKS! The eel's exhibit at the end of the Dangerous Reef tank is now remodeled. It is full of beautiful colors added by the artificial coral. They are a great way to end the Dangerous Reef tunnel because moray eels are unique ocean creatures.

A collection of delicate undersea life such as the Pacific Giant Octopus, sea anemones, living corals, jellies and weedy sea dragons are featured as art in The Living Gallery. Coral reefs are vibrant underwater oasis which provides protection to all types of marine life.

Guests experience the thrill of holding horseshoe crabs at The Sea-For-Yourself Discovery Center, an interactive, multimedia playground and educational resource center that fascinates children and adults of all ages. The best way to learn about nature is to experience it first hand. The Discovery Center is filled with interactive displays inviting you to learn by participation. 

Gliding through the water like majestic birds in the air, the rays on display in Ray Bay are gentle, affectionate creatures. Watch as divers enter the tank and hand feed these large but gentle animals. At the shallow end of the tank visitors may take the opportunity to touch and get up close and personal with one of these beautiful animals. Touch a Ray Bay is a shallow lagoon where patrons can reach out and touch the rays as they glide by. Aquarists are on hand to assure the safety of both our guests and rays and to answer any questions regarding these unusual creatures.

You and your family will marvel at the clarity of the water and the totally immersive environment. You will feel as if you were exploring the deep oceans and could almost touch the amazing sea life! While you're visiting the area, make sure you stay at Myrtle Beach's Sea Mist Oceanfront Resort, only 10 minutes from Ripley's Aquarium.

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