Went to the South Carolina Aquarium today, unfortunately my phone camera died before I could get any of the aquarium but I still wanted to review it. Located in the harbor area next to the Firt Summter National Monument the aquarium is primarily on one level with some exhibits found in the first floor. The aquarium has visitors start on the second floor where a Bald Eagle can be seen in a small exhibit. Following that you enter a forested area that is exposed to the elements due to large mesh walls. Exhibits include local freshwater fish in low level tanks such as trout and other pan type fish. The main exhibit is at the end where North American River Otters play beneath a waterfall. The next section is inside and features the piedmont region and the swamp/coastal areas. A disappointing American Kestral exhibit is first which appears too small and too exposed to visitors as only thin wire separates it from guests. There's also a large lake fish exhibit, a cottonmouth exhibit and a large Albino Alligator in an averaged size nocturnal exhibit. Around the corner are some sun fish, frogs, young alligators and some venomous snakes. Next you can head straight to the Ocean area or continue on the upper walkway to the salt marsh area. This is similar the the forest earlier but is a salt marsh with birds and some fish like carp and stingrays. It was quite breezy so most birds were grounded. Species included a Brown Pelican, a night heron, seagulls and others. Just outside is a decent touch Tank with the usual critters and a second shark touch Tank with chain dogfish sharks. The next room features a lion fish tank in the middle and smaller exhibits of flounders, sea horses, and schooling fish. The final area is the highlight of the aquarium, the open ocean exhibit. It is a large two story Tank featuring large ocean species including, tarpon, sea bass, puffer fish, nurse shark, sandbar sharks, sand tiger sharks and a large green sea turtle among others. There are several viewing points on both levels and the first floor has series of benches set up like a theater which gives nice views while relaxing. There are also other long ranks with smaller species from the ocean and coasts. Overall the Aquarium is nice but has some questionable exhibits (kestrel, eagle), it's a bit overpriced at $25 per adult for the amount of exhibits but is worth a stop at least once, possibly it will be worth the price when the future Turtle hospital opens.
