OdySea Aquarium: An Underwater Adventure in the Heart of Arizona
If you’re looking for an unforgettable family experience in Arizona, the OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale is a must-visit destination. The aquarium is home to more than 6,000 aquatic animals, including sharks, sea turtles, penguins, and rays, housed in more than 2 million gallons of water. With interactive exhibits, animal encounters, and educational programs, the OdySea Aquarium is an engaging and informative experience that is both fun and educational.
OdySea Aquarium: A World-Class Destination
The OdySea Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the Southwest, and one of the top-rated aquariums in the country. The aquarium features more than 50 exhibits, showcasing marine life from around the world, including the Caribbean, the Indo-Pacific, and the Sea of Cortez. From the moment you walk through the doors, you’ll be immersed in an underwater world that is both beautiful and fascinating.
Explore the Exhibits
The OdySea Aquarium offers a variety of exhibits that allow visitors to get up close and personal with some of the world’s most fascinating marine life. Here are some of the highlights:
- Shark Waters: This exhibit features more than 75 sharks, including blacktip reef sharks, sandbar sharks, and nurse sharks. Visitors can watch the sharks being fed and learn about their behavior and habitat.
- SeaTREK: Visitors can don a special helmet and walk on the bottom of the aquarium’s largest exhibit, the Deep Ocean, where they’ll come face-to-face with stingrays, sea turtles, and other marine life.
- Penguin Point: This exhibit features a colony of African penguins, one of the most endangered penguin species in the world. Visitors can watch as the penguins swim, play, and interact with each other.
- Rivers of the World: This exhibit showcases river ecosystems from around the world, including the Amazon, the Congo, and the Murray-Darling.
Photo Credit: © Dennis Jacobsen
Educational Programs
The OdySea Aquarium offers a variety of educational programs for visitors of all ages. These programs are designed to teach visitors about marine life and conservation and to inspire them to take action to protect the world’s oceans. Some of the programs include:
- Behind the Scenes Tours: Visitors can take a guided tour of the aquarium’s animal hospital and food prep areas, and learn about the care and feeding of the animals.
- SeaTREK: In addition to the exhibit experience, visitors can take a guided SeaTREK tour, where they’ll learn about the marine life in the exhibit and the importance of ocean conservation.
- Shark Feedings: Visitors can watch as the aquarium’s sharks are fed, and learn about their feeding habits and behavior.
The OdySea Aquarium is a world-class destination that offers visitors an immersive and educational experience. With its wide variety of exhibits, animal encounters, and educational programs, the aquarium is a great destination for families, school groups, and anyone interested in marine life and conservation. Located in the heart of Arizona, the OdySea Aquarium is a must-visit destination that is both fun and informative.
The Aquarium is open from 9 AM to about 6 PM every day. The last entry time is 60 minutes before closing. Buy tickets here.
