South Carolina Aquarium is an aquarium in Charleston, Charleston County, in South Carolina's Lowcountry. Admission: varies by date. Hours: Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; last entry time is 3:30 p.m; Closed Thanksgiving Day and December 25; open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. December 24; On Aquarium Aglow dates: open 9 a.m.-4 p.m., last entry 2:30 p.m. Facts read from the official site on October 25, 2026.
- Hours9 a.m.–5 p.m.official hours below
- AdmissionVaries by date
- WhereCharlestonCharleston County, Lowcountry
- DogsNot allowed
About South Carolina Aquarium
The South Carolina Aquarium is an indoor aquarium on the Charleston harbor waterfront. Its Great Ocean Tank is billed as the deepest tank in North America.
- Great Ocean Tank, more than 550 animals
- Touch and feed cownose rays in The Shallows ($5 feeding, 10:15 a.m.-4 p.m.)
- Daily animal encounters and Turtle Talk programs
- Undersea Explorer virtual reality experience
- Aquarium Aglow holiday event on select nights November-December
Plan It In Three Lines
Getting In
Admission: varies by date. Parking: City-operated Aquarium Garage at 24 Calhoun Street plus metered street parking.
9 a.m.–5 p.m.Bring The Dog?
Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed. Service animals (dogs or miniature horses individually trained for a person with a disability) are
Full rule belowMake It A Day
International African American Museum is about 0 miles away (straight line).
6 places within 30 miles
South Carolina Aquarium Hours
Hours in a day
- OpenEvery day9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- On Aquarium Aglow datesEvery day9 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Closed Thanksgiving Day and December 25
- open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. December 24
- Closed Tuesday, October 27 (2026) for exhibit installation work
Bars that fade start at sunrise or end at sunset or dark, which move with the season. The full hours, word for word, are in the list below.
- Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; last entry time is 3:30 p.m.
- Closed Thanksgiving Day and December 25; open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. December 24
- On Aquarium Aglow dates: open 9 a.m.-4 p.m., last entry 2:30 p.m.
- Closed Tuesday, October 27 (2026) for exhibit installation work
Hours source: official site, read October 25, 2026.
Admission And Parking
- Dynamic ticket calendar: daily admission prices vary by date (weather, holidays, local events, school calendars, attendance)
- Choose visit date and entry time when buying
Parking: City-operated Aquarium Garage at 24 Calhoun Street plus metered street parking; both pay-to-park, not operated by the Aquarium; garage accepts credit cards only. Use the garage address for navigation.
Directions And Contact
- Address: 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC 29401
- Phone: 843-577-3474
- Map point: 32.79107,-79.92548, from OpenStreetMap. Directions in Google Maps
- Official site: scaquarium.org
Dogs And Accessibility
- Dogs: Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed. Service animals (dogs or miniature horses individually trained for a person with a disability) are welcome.
- Accessibility: Free wheelchair checkout at Admissions and the Information Desk (photo ID deposit); two elevators; exhibits wheelchair accessible; accessible parking on all garage levels.
Near South Carolina Aquarium
- 1International African American MuseumHistory Museumunder 1 mi
- 2The Charleston MuseumHistory Museumunder 1 mi
- 3Gibbes Museum of ArtArt Museumunder 1 mi
- 4Patriots Point Naval and Maritime MuseumMaritime Museumabout 1 mi
- 5West Ashley GreenwayRail Trailabout 3 mi
- 6May Forest State ParkState Parkabout 3 mi
Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.
Coming Up Near South Carolina Aquarium
- Through Nov 21Charleston Farmers Market (Marion Square, Saturdays)On nowCharleston · about 4 mi
- Oct 30Halloween Night Climb (Palmetto Peaks Climbing, James Island County Park)Charleston · about 4 mi
- Oct 30McClellanville Fall FestivalMcClellanville · about 33 mi
- Oct 31Charleston Southern football vs. Western Illinois (Homecoming)Charleston · about 4 mi
- Nov 1Scooby Doo Day / Family Sunday (SC Stingrays vs. Savannah)North Charleston · about 12 mi
- Nov 7Airing of the Quilts at MagnoliaCharleston · about 4 mi
62 more on the full events calendar.
Events within 40 miles, measured in a straight line to the centre of the event's town. Dates come from our checked events list; confirm with the organizer.
FAQ
How much does South Carolina Aquarium cost?
Varies by date. Dynamic ticket calendar: daily admission prices vary by date (weather, holidays, local events, school calendars, attendance); Choose visit date and entry time when buying
What are the hours at South Carolina Aquarium?
Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; last entry time is 3:30 p.m.; Closed Thanksgiving Day and December 25; open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. December 24.
Can I bring a dog to South Carolina Aquarium?
Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed. Service animals (dogs or miniature horses individually trained for a person with a disability) are welcome.
What We Could Not Verify
- Ticket prices: dynamic, no fixed price list published
- Hours and prices change; check the official site the day you go.
Sources
- South Carolina Aquarium: hours (read 2026-10-25)
- South Carolina Aquarium: admission (read 2026-10-25)
- South Carolina Aquarium: official site (read 2026-10-25)
- OpenStreetMap (map point)
Last checked October 25, 2026 by the It’s South Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “South Carolina Aquarium”, itssouthcarolina.com/places-to-go-in-south-carolina/south-carolina-aquarium/ (updated ). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.