Myrtle Beach is filled with tons of things to do, whether it be the water slides, amusement park, or the beach itself. But what happens when the sun goes away and the clouds move in? Well, rain or shine, Ripley’s Aquarium is sure to please kids and adults alike. Located at the edge of Broadway at the Beach, the aquatic museum features some of the most exotic creatures on the planet. I’ve been to many aquariums in my day, but I can only count on one hand how many times I have seen rare sea horses and dangerous blowfish.
Besides a large collection of stingrays and jellyfish, Ripley’s Aquarium is also home to the shark tunnel. That’s right, a shark tunnel. This highlight of the day is a covered, winding path that runs the length of almost the entire building. Inside, the marine life swims around you on all sides. Mesmerized visitors can step off the moving walkway and take all the pictures they want. And there will be a lot of pictures worth taking.
A variety of 6 – 8 foot menacing sharks will be gliding just feet away with their beady eyes darting about just inches above their mouths lined with rows of razor sharp teeth. Giant sea turtles float past the swordfish lounging in the sand at the bottom of the massive tank while smaller fish mill about in search of food. There is no extra admission for this attraction, allowing the visitor to reenter the tunnel as many times as they please.
Other displays include a jellyfish room where children are welcome to touch live ones if they dare. The ground floor houses a large pool for stingrays and a smaller area for horseshoe crabs which also have supervised “touch” stations.
Ripley’s Aquarium also has a snack bar on the top floor and a room to host parties, making it a very versatile location. Its proximity to Broadway at the Beach makes it easy to park close and enjoy the shops in the afternoon after your visit. So be sure to mark a day on your calendar to visit Ripley’s Aquarium on your next trip to Myrtle Beach.
John Sera's Myrtle Beach 