Texas State Aquarium: an underwater journey

By Todd Moning
FMCA.com editor

I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus's garden in the shade
— from "Octopus's Garden" by The Beatles

The Beatles probably would like the Texas State Aquarium In Corpus Christi, Texas. It's a place where you can see an octopus and also experience the sensation of being under the sea.

The facility, which opened in 1990, takes guests on an aquatic journey, underwater and aboveground, providing a unique look at the animals and habitats of the Gulf of Mexico.

The aquarium complex is on 7.3 acres on Corpus Christi Beach, not far from the downtown district. The aquarium's mission is to inspire appreciation of and wise stewardship of the Gulf. It does so with interactive exhibits that promote environmental conservation and wildlife rehabilitation.

Gators, birds, fish and more
Visitors enter the three-level aquarium by walking under a "waterfall," which adds to the feeling of submersion.

Otters, alligators, seahorses, sea turtles, schooling fish, shore birds and underwater gardens are displayed in various galleries and habitats.

The Islands of Steel habitat is a 132,000-gallon exhibit that has a 35-foot viewing window. It contains more than 150 animals, including a sand tiger shark and a 350-pound grouper.

A giant octopus and a frogfish inhabit the Oddysea exhibit.

Volunteer guides, stationed throughout the Aquarium, explain exhibits and answer questions such as, Which jellyfish are toxic and which are harmless?

Guided tours or behind-the-scenes tours of the aquarium are available with advance reservations.

The aquarium also offers a host of special programs. For instance, visitors can observe dive shows and feeding demonstrations, and have "hands-on" experiences with sharks, stingrays and hermit crabs.

A new exhibit, "Amazon," will open at the aquarium in March 2005. It will feature animals of the Amazon River and rainforests and will examine environmental issues regarding Amazonia.

Dolphin Bay
Dolphin Bay is the aquarium's latest addition. It covers 30,800 square feet and contains about 400,000 gallons of saltwater. In an underwater viewing room, visitors can come nose to nose with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Above the water level, observe the dolphins frolicking in their habitat. Listen to aquarium staff talk about dolphins' strength and intelligence.

The aquarium presents dolphin shows three or four times a day, depending on the time of year.

The dolphins in Dolphin Bay are non-releasable dolphins, meaning they lack skills necessary to survive in the wild. They come to Texas from other aquariums, zoos and marine parks.

You don't need diving gear, a boat or an amphibious motorhome (such as the Terra Wind featured in the September 2004 issue of Family Motor Coaching magazine) to experience an aquatic adventure. Just head to 2710 North Shoreline, Corpus Christi.

Details
The two parking lots in front of the aquarium can accommodate plenty of motorhomes. Parking costs $3.

Admission (as of November 2004), is $12.50 for adults 13 and older; $10.50 for seniors 65 and older; $7.50 for kids 4 to 12; and free for ages 3 and younger. Groups of 10 or more with reservations qualify for a discount. Call (361) 881-1307 or e-mail Reserve@txstateaq.org.

For operating hours, driving directions and program information, contact the aquarium at (800) 477-4853 or visit the aquarium's Web site, below.

Texas State Aquarium
www.texasstateaquarium.org