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 "Being in an aquarium at night is a wonderful experience. The aquatic world comes alive and transforms every event into a uniquely memorable one."
- Kevin Mills, President and CEO
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When the South Carolina Aquarium closes for the day, a unique event site opens. As your guests arrive on our Riverside Terrace, they will experience Charleston from an entirely different perspective. With dolphins playing and great ships passing, guests will know this is a truly special event. The Great Hall is a soaring light-filled space anchored by a two-story stained glass window. The Carolina Seas Exhibit introduces them to our live exhibits and a 150-foot long glass wall looks toward Fort Sumter and the Battery. Gorgeous views abound at the South Carolina Aquarium - both inside and out. The exhibit areas take a guest "from the mountains to the sea" across our state and offer unique venues for groups of 15 to 1,500 people. Whether you favor an intimate dinner in front of our Deep Ocean Tank or a strolling reception throughout the building, we will help you create a truly memorable evening.
Special events are important to the South Carolina Aquarium, so our staff will make planning easy. We provide you with referrals from florists to performing artists, keep you organized in your planning stages and provide assistance on the night of the event. By providing your guests with an evening at the South Carolina Aquarium, you also will be helping us to realize our mission.
Your admission fee includes private use of the South Carolina Aquarium, event coordination, and on-site event staff. A "host" will greet your group and assist with any details during the course of the event.
Sunday - Thursday
Aquarium Evening Events - $2,750* |
Friday & Saturday
Aquarium Evening Events - $4,000* |
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| *There will be an additional $10.00 per person charge for each guest over 500. |
| *Please note: Because we are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, all fees over $1000 are tax-deductible. |
The South Carolina Aquarium is perfect for a group of 15-1,500 people. When you host an event with us, you are renting the entire Aquarium and your guests have private access to the entire building for the evening. The galleries are listed here individually to assist in personalizing your event to your group.
| Locations |
Recept. |
Seated * |
sq. ft. |
| Great Hall |
550 |
300 |
4,640 |
| Deep Ocean Gallery |
130 |
90 |
1,403 |
| Riverside Terrace |
320 |
- |
2,622 |
| First Floor |
1000 |
390 |
10,743 |
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| Tidal Gallery |
130 |
80 |
1,512 |
| Coastal Gallery |
200 |
128 |
1,920 |
| Ocean Gallery |
70 |
48 |
700 |
| Piedmont & Coastal Plain Galleries |
100 |
- |
1,010 |
| Harbor Overlook |
100 |
- |
1,440 |
| Second Floor |
500 |
256 |
6,752 |
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| Total Event Space |
1,500 |
- |
22,127 |
*seated dinner
Q: Can we use the park in front of the Aquarium for part of our event?
A: Liberty Park is owned by the National Park Service. There is an application fee and permitting process for any activities that occur within the park. The Special Events Department of the South Carolina Aquarium can assist you in beginning the application process but has no authority to issue permits for park events.
Q: What time can my event start?
A: Evening events begin at 7:00pm so that your caterer, bartender and other vendors have ample time to set-up your function. We do allow set-up while general admission guests are in the building and we will work with your vendors to make sure that set-up is organized so that the needs of our general admission guests and special event clients are met. In the off season, there is a possibility of an event beginning at 6:30pm. Please discuss any time changes with the Special Events office before times are set and invitations are sent.
Q: How late can our guests stay?
A: We ask that your guests leave by 11:00 pm. It is important that our animals have a nighttime. The interior tank lights go off at 10:30pm and the accent lighting within the aquarium will go off at 11:00 when the utility lights come on for event clean-up and break-down. All lights in the South Carolina Aquarium turn off at 1:00am and all service staff should be gone from the building.
Q: Can I rent a portion of the Aquarium for my event?
A: When you rent the South Carolina Aquarium, you are renting the entire facility and have access to all of the exhibits and galleries. We can cordon sections of our exhibits and galleries for a portion of your evening for an intimate feel and to ensure that the focus and attention is on you and your festivities! Our costs are the same whether you are in one gallery or all galleries so we are unable to discount the fee for a smaller group.
Q: What time does the Aquarium Shop close?
A: The Aquarium Shop closes one hour after the last general admission ticket is sold. For large events where appropriate demand is expected, our Aquarium Shop may be kept open during the first hour of your event.
Q: Where are the otters at night?
A: Our otters have a very plush home behind-the-scenes where they stay when they are not playing in their exhibit during general admission hours. Animal care is an extremely important focus of the South Carolina Aquarium staff and the otters have a full-time trainer present when they are on exhibit. It is possible to have a special otter appearance at your event when the trainer is available.
Q: Can cars pull up to the front door?
A: The bluestone material leading up to the Aquarium front door is extremely sensitive to weight and cannot be driven on. For guests with difficulty walking, the Fort Sumter turnaround adjacent to the Aquarium may be used.
Q: Are tables and chairs included in the rental fee?
A: Tables and chairs are not included in the rental of the Aquarium. Stephen Duvall Catering & Events will be able to assist you with all of your rental needs.
CATERING AND BARTENDING SERVICE
The South Carolina Aquarium is proud to partner with Stephen Duvall Catering & Events as its exclusive caterer.
For more than 27 years and 10,000 unforgettable occasions Stephen Duvall Catering & Events has specialized in just one thing: creating memorable occasions with food. They provide complete event planning and coordination, from intimate weddings and private parties to extravagant theme parties and corporate events. Their event expertise coupled with an extraordinary setting will create an unforgettable evening for you and your guests!
To contact Stephen Duvall Catering & Events, please call (843) 763.9222 or visit their web site at www.eventsbyduvall.com.
INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS ~ We offer a variety of opportunities for your guests to interact with the animals and guides at the South Carolina Aquarium. Please ask about our Discovery Lab Experience, Great Ocean Tank Dive and Feeding, Education Programs and Special Otter Appearance.
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Discovery Lab Experience ~ The Discovery Lab is an education center where guests are encouraged to touch animals, models and interactive displays. Two of our educators are on hand to answer questions and can conduct special demonstrations.
COST: $350.00 (Maximum of 3 hours).
Great Ocean Tank Dive ~ The Great Ocean Tank holds 385,000 gallons of water, contains hundreds of animals and features the tallest window on an aquarium in North America. Two of our divers will interact with the animals in the tank while one of our educators interprets from the Deep Ocean Gallery. This presentation includes interesting facts and a question-and-answer session.
COST: $525.00 (Maximum of 1 hour).
Education Programs ~ Our educators are available to customize a program to suit the individual needs of your group. Number needed depends on program.
COST: $175.00 / Per Educator (Maximum of 3 hours).
Special Otter Experience ~ Our otters are on exhibit each day during regular business hours. When they are not on exhibit, the otters reside in a plush, behind-the-scenes “apartment”. In order for the otters to be on exhibit in the evening an otter trainer must be present.
COST: $175.00 (Maximum of 2 hours). |
COAT CHECK SERVICES ~ We offer coat check services for your evening events. There is a per host charge of $175.00. We require one host for every 300 guests.
AQUARIUM SHOP ~ We will be happy to keep our gift shop open during your event if demand is anticipated.
BOAT DOCKING ~ We can provide you with information on docking your boat at nearby facilities.
Please ask for additional information on any service that interests you.
 The Executive Boardroom is a soaring, light-filled space that looks toward Fort Sumter and the Yorktown Battleship. The view is spectacular, with dolphins playing in the surf and the moon dancing off the water. Whether you favor an intimate meeting inside or a cocktail reception in the open breeze, this space will create a memorable event.
The Executive Boardroom is available for meetings Monday-Friday and for evening functions daily from 6:00pm until 10:00pm. For more details, prices and availability, please contact the Special Events office.
Event space capacity:
| Meetings: |
32 |
| Seated Dinner: |
48 |
| Reception: |
100 |
For more information, please contact the Special Events Office at 843-579-8656 or specialevents@scaquarium.org
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