I haven't been here in 10 years and love seeing all the improvements. I should start off with the saying that each ticket is $50 a person now. We stayed for about 3 hours and watched the Dolphin and shark shows. There's a lot of things to see and love all the interactions! It was so cool to be up close and personal with the flamingos! The dolphin show was really cute! Parking was $7 and we went early to park in the lot. We had a great family visit! read more

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Our visit was ok, but not really like the typical aquarium experience. The shows are really mostly "talks" - they're informative and interesting. There's one huge tank with sharks - that's the biggest exhibit. Many exhibits (turtles, dophins) are outside. It poured while we were there so we missed the "shows" for those. Food is what you'd expect and is expensive. Tip for parking - If you pre-pay the $7 for parking, you're supposed to tell them when you check in and they'll give you a token to exit the parking lot when you're done. Didn't see this info anywhere. Thankfully, the girl at the exit was friendly (in her big raincoat!) and gave us a token. We had the receipt to prove we paid but didn't need it. Not sure it's worth the admission price, but I look at it like we're contributing the the care of these animals. read more

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My nephew wanted to come to this aquarium and we were able to get tickets for the family last minute. The staff were very nice and helpful. They had people that were well informed about the animals and even told stories about most of the animals and where they came from (some were rescued and also cared for by the vets). The place was very well kept and organized. It was easy to figure out where you were at and even where to find animals. They had different sections where you can take your kids to play outside(a mini water park area and a park for them to run around). I also did like how they had different times when they do shows to talk about the animals and some you could even pet like the sting rays. Their fish tanks were really cool to me, especially the one where you can walk through and see even sharks/fish swim above you. The area with the different birds were cool too and loved how they did each section different themes to fit where the animals are from. My family really enjoyed their time here and happy to have stopped by here. It really only took a few hours to see everything and was worth the stop. Definitely good place to visit if you have kids. read more

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It was our first time going to the TX State Aquarium with some friends who had been before. It was nice to go with pass holders as they gave us a wonderful tour. I'm not sure if the individuals working at the exhibits were employees or volunteers, but they were all lovely to interact with. The aquarium has an assortment of snack stands and restaurants; complete with adult beverages at select places. The eateries are scattered all around the aquarium, which made for quick service. We opted to eat at the restaurant behind the otter enclosure. We got the southwest cobb salad and it was delicious and light on a hot day. We bought our tickets online (military is $45 each!) and we attempted to buy a $7 parking pass, but the online system wouldn't allow us to add it to our cart. We then asked two different parking attendants how we pay for parking and they informed us that we pay up front. So we go up front & they didn't ask us to pay for parking when we showed our ticket. When we exited the young lady at the main parking lot was so rude when we tried to exit & explain what happened (this was Sunday 5/17 around 4:30). That last interaction with her left a bad taste in our mouth. Other than that, the aquarium was good, but the parking system could be greatly enhanced (online purchases & in-person purchases, and the signage for parking). There's also a new indoor playground and a huge splash pad for kids. I wish some of the enclosures for the animals were bigger, especially for it being Texas' largest aquarium. It's always hard seeing animals in small spaces. Enjoy our wonderful pictures! read more

Texas State Aquarium - Outdoor turtle enclosure - Aquariums Near Me - Corpus Christi, Texas

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Definitely not worth the $49.95 admission. My husband and I visited because we love aquariums and marine life, but unfortunately the experience was disappointing. We only saw one otter, a couple of turtles, an alligator, some fish, and a few sharks. In my opinion, the Texas State Aquarium is worth closer to $20 per person. Thankfully we received a military discount, because otherwise it would have felt like a complete waste. It was nice seeing a few different fish, but we will not be returning. read more

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Bought tickets in advance, this aquarium has so much to see, including a gift shop, casual restaurants and even a Starbucks! Very clean but staff is not very helpful regarding informing guests about parking, had to go back inside for a parking coin. Actual exhibits are nice, lots of stingrays to touch. read more

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You can purchase your tickets and onsite parking online prior to your arrival. That is their preference as there was only 1 person who you could purchase your tickets from onsite. We got there in time for the 11am dolphin show. It was fun to watch. We explored the gulf and Caribbean exhibits as well as the outside otter, stingray and turtle exhibits. It's not a large aquarium but the exhibits are nice and well done. I like that there is a wildlife rescue connected to the aquarium and they really try to heal and release when possible. I would definitely recommend stopping by and checking it out. The staff was great with answering questions. We also enjoyed lunch at the cafe downstairs and it was quite good. read more

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I enjoyed myself at this aquarium, but my kids (3 and 6) were bored. I wish they had more interactive exhibits throughout because my kids kept running off to find the next one. With that being said, the tickets are overpriced, as is the gift shop. read more

So we came here on the hottest day, which we should had went home when we seen the shape of your staff at the front my kids were so scared I had to lie why was that man blood red? When we went inside the exhibits were very over crowded but my kids enjoyed them. We went to watch the dolphins you need a covering for that my kids got so hot they almost had a heat stroke. The show was really fun loved the dolphins the music we was front and center. Music was awesome and staff was nice and accommodating my kids kept saying they wanted to get wet then changed their minds. Starbucks was limited for things to get them since we was in the heat. The gift shop you can't leave without going inside there we all loved it. They have a splash pad outside my kids wanted to do that but by the time we got done with the dolphins we was too hot read more

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Hailing from Houston (home to one of the worst "aquariums" in Texas), my family thoroughly enjoyed Texas State Aquarium in Corpus! It was one of the best parts of our trip. The Aquarium has plenty to see and was not very busy when we went. There was so much to explore -- Islands of Steel, Coral Reef, Jungle, Caribbean Sea, and the Tentacles exhibits were some of our favorites. The real highlight of our visit was the Dolphin show. The dolphins are so talented and seem to be well-cared for. Tip - if you're going to the dolphin show, make sure to get a seat 30 minutes early if you want shade. Thankfully, there's a very convenient Starbucks right inside by the dolphin area where I was able to keep cool until it was time to rejoin my family for the show. My only regret was not bringing swimwear to enjoy the H-E-B splash park, which looks brand new and is free with paid admission to the Aquarium. It looked like a lot of fun for smaller kids. Highly recommend adding Texas State Aquarium to your itinerary if you're visiting Corpus Christi! read more

So worth visiting this museum! They have a dolphin show and several different animals besides sea life to see! Way better than the Houston aquarium. Would definitely go again to see various sea life and try out the splash pad. read more

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I went back to the aquarium with friends. We ate there. I loved the animals there though it is a bit pricey. I love looking at the turtles. read more

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First time at the Texas State Aquarium and I would love to return and explore more. From what I was able to view during a private event was beautiful and entertaining. The staff is lovely and I even got to pet a sting ray! read more

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For the price of admission, I was hoping for a lot more. We still enjoyed our visit nonetheless. Directions to and parking at the Aquarium wasn't that bad. Once inside, we were well on our way to enjoying the exhibits offered. The only drawback was all the schools with the kids in attendance. Oh well! At least they are getting exposed to some culture and education. read more

Texas State Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Corpus Christi, Texas

A great experience for a family outing, with children! The location is perfectly air conditioned, which is a plus in the area's hot weather. The family will enjoy all the different sea species, with many fun spots to take memorable photos! As a plus, we got there just in time to see the show read more

Texas State Aquarium - Impressive shark sighting - Aquariums Near Me - Corpus Christi, Texas

Over the years I have loved coming to the Aquarium. I've probably visited dozens of times from 2008 - 2025, first with my husband and then with our 3 kids. My favorite room is the big Gulf Coast underwater room. I could stay in there all day. All of my kids have enjoyed the Aquarium too, and the addition of the splash pad made it that much more fun. The dolphin show is nice, the stingray tank is always popular. Membership and tickets have gotten really expensive (along with everything else)- I think it happened during covid (also along with everything else) but it sort of makes you want more from the experience. The Caribbean area is a great new addition. Their outreach programs are fantastic. The staff and educators have always been wonderful. Highly recommend! It does get very crowded on weekends and holidays. A visit to the Aquarium is perfectly paired with a trip to the Lex if you're into history. Lunch at Elizabeth's or dinner at the Mariner and you have yourself a great CCTX day trip. read more

Very well knowing staff. Disappointmented they had no octopus. Took our time. Dolphin show was good lots of room. Turtles were great to watch. read more

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Came here for the first time with my kiddies. The admissions fee is pretty expensive. This aquarium is supposed to be the largest in all of Texas, but it honestly felt a lot smaller than I expected. They have a little water play area for the kids. They have 3 floors of adventure, but not all the floors aren't as big as you think. It does get pretty crowded. A lot of hands on activities for the kids which is pretty cool. Overall, it is an awesome aquarium, but I feel that the admission fee is too steep to be worth going to a place that takes approximately an hour to walk. The staff are friendly and helpful. The parking lot is large and you have to pay. I didn't use their parking since we stayed in a hotel nearby. read more

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Maybe if I was kid this would be a cool place to go but as an adult I've been to better aquariums across the US but it is a way to amuse kids and get out of the Texas heat. There is a decent size splash park outside and a dolphin show on the backside of the building read more

Texas State Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Corpus Christi, Texas

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Very expensive place, not worth the money, will not comeback, it has more shops than actual things to see, I don't recommend it.

If I could give our review 10 stars, I would! The facility is extremely well maintained. The cost is a little pricey for a family of five but we easily stayed 6 hours here exploring all the exhibits & shows so it was definitely worth it. We got there right around opening time & saw the first dolphin show. I loved how the trainers explained everything from the anatomy of a dolphin to how they rescue them. It was awesome to watch, and a good learning opportunity for our kiddos. My daughter was mesmerized by the dolphins. You can even go down to the ground level to see the dolphins swimming underwater. They provide maps which is super helpful. We started at the top level and worked our way down. There's elevators for those who have strollers or are wheelchair bound. It would be too long to list off all the exhibits they have, but I'll touch on our favorite parts. The underwater tank where you can see sharks, eels and other fish swimming around the sunken ship was amazing. My son was excited to pet the sting rays, jellyfish & sharks. He especially loved the baby sting ray named Ravioli. The 4D theater was a really fun break from the heat to watch a movie about turtles & their journey. My daughter was excited to see the flamingos, we missed the opportunity to feed them but still awesome to see! For lunch, we ate at the Canopy up on the top level. Food was expensive, but the convenience of it made it worth it. They had some healthier options up there VS the grill downstairs. The view is amazing. You can watch dolphins swimming, boats passing by etc. We didn't get the chance to goto the splash pad (after 6 hours of exploring the exhibits, we were all exhausted) but it looks so fun! A great way to beat the heat. Overall, we had a wonderful time and learned some ways we can better care for the ocean. Would definitely recommend a trip to the Texas State Aquarium if you're ever in town! read more

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I've been to quite a few of these on the coast. This was well beyond what I expected for Corpus--scale wise. Overall, it's a clean, well-kept, family center--definitely the best in Texas. I was impressed by all array of species presented and I enjoyed how they hi-lighted our local fauna. How it is situated on the bay gives it a seamless feel. It's also near to all that downtown offers. The dolphins win 1st place. It was a joy to watch the trainers work but the dolphins were made them rise to new heights--pun intended. We have a season membership and I can't wait to take my grandson when he is in town! read more

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Great aquarium. A bit pricey but I was on vacation so I didn't worry about it. Only one negative. The jellyfish exhibit. It's my favorite part of aquariums and this one didn't have much. But the rest of the museum made up for it. They have great shark exhibits including a large one with sharks swimming around a sunken sailing ship. I enjoyed watching their two river otters. At the tank with the rays, the docent was very friendly and kindly answered all my questions. All the docents I talked to were friendly and informative. Lots to see and learn. I'm glad I visited. read more

A visit to the Texas State Aquarium has almost become a mandatory stop each time we are in Corpus. The aquarium has changed so much since the early visits of my youth and the addition of Caribbean Sea Shark Exhibit elevates this aquarium to world-class. One of my favorite aspects of the Texas State Aquarium is the diversity and the scope, as the aquarium boasts 15 diverse exhibits. There are multiple levels with different exhibits as well as exhibits featured inside and outside. Frankly, there's just so much to do. Level 1 you have the Gulf of Mexico exhibits, Dolphin Bay (outside), and Caribbean journey. Level 2 you have the jungle exhibits (with overlooks onto level 1) and level 3 there's the jungle overlook. I love the different levels as they give you different views of the exhibits you just walked through. The sea shark exhibit is a must see - over 60 feet long and modelled after a ship wreck - its really nice to see these creatures swim in such a large enclosure. We also really enjoy the Tentacles, Dolphin Bay, and Coral Reef exhibits. Finally, there is the boardwalk area outside that not only features the otters and sea turtles, but also great views of the bay and a few lounge areas as well. Reading the reviews, it seems like there is some sticker shock on the admission price, but given the diversity and the expanse of the exhibits, I think it is well worth it. read more

We had a good time at the aquarium. About 30% is outside on the Waterfront side. Great views. Surprised at all the birds on the 2nd floor. It was worth it for a one-time stop. They also have a military discount. See a full video o. YouTube at Coolest Life. read more

Texas State Aquarium - YouTube - Aquariums Near Me - Corpus Christi, Texas

The aquarium has been on my list for quite some time. I'd heard nothing but good things and seen nothing but cool pictures on Instagram. So, when my wife surprised me with a quick getaway to Corpus ...she made sure to include tickets to the aquarium (which were surprisingly moderately priced). On our honeymoon, we visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is built up as one of the most renowned aquariums in the country. This one's better. I was impressed with everything. The pathways throughout the aquarium are well spaced and open...which was nice for someone still practicing some COVID precautions. The exhibits were full. There was no shortage of staff willing to answer questions and interact with kiddos. It was clean and bright. Fun little aviary. They do a great job informing the public about the rescue work they do. Impressive gift store. The dolphin exhibit and show is worth your time. I was a little disappointed the dolphins aren't rescues / former patients unable to return to the wild. But, hey, you can't win them all. read more

Texas State Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Corpus Christi, Texas

This aquarium is more than worth the price tag. My only complaint is that it's a little smaller than I think it should be. Don't let that discourage you though, it's a great place to take both yourself and your family all day to. read more

Celebrating aquatic life during this "Earth Day" month. First time coming to this aquarium. Loved my experience today. Friendly welcoming staff. Paid about $75 with a military discount for two people. This aquarium has a lot more interactive spaces, loved being able to touch the small sharks, sting rays, and hermit crabs. Feeding the sting rays was fun too! Much bigger then the one in San Antonio. Loved the sharks and dolphin area. Theres a nice spot outside where you can feed the stingrays and enjoy the shoreline. read more

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$30/adult. Easy parking. They give you a token to exit the lot. I'm not sure if I paid for it while buying the tickets. ‍ it wasn't overly packed but busy enough. There's Starbucks inside and quite a few snack and food places inside and outside. Bring bathing suit and towel if the kids want to enjoy the splash pad. We ate at the grill (pizza/ burgers) and tried popcorn and hatch chili sausage at the back porch area. Beautiful outdoors area with sting rays, sea turtles, otters , cute dolphins show. So many things to see inside and outside! Some stations to touch jellyfish and sting rays. We had a great time. read more

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Biggest aquarium I've ever seen literally has every fish i can think of theres sharks, dolphins ,jelly fish,ETC I got to pet a stingray and star fish There is a dolphin show at 3 and they were very talented You can look at everything below or go up and see everything from above there is 4 levels with each level being completely different wich is nice there is also a little snack bar were you can eat and watch the fish has a bunch of big aquariums to look at THE BEST PLACE EVER I WILL BE COMING BACK!!! read more

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We went to the Aquarium in June for my mom's birthday. We had a blast with the dolphins! The show was incredible. We loved all of the exhibits - especially the rainforest area. It was gorgeous! read more

This has to be one of the best aquariums in Texas. Easily, you and your family can spend 3+ hours here. Parking is ample. When you purchase your tickets, you get a coin to get you out of the parking lot. Tickets are affordable for families as well. The aquarium has 3 levels and they have interactive exhibits where you can touch some of the fish and animals. They not only have fish but also animals and birds just roaming free on the 2nd floor. They even have flamingos, sloths, bald eagles, sea turtles; it is amazing! Every hour, there are scheduled shows you and your family can participate in. I highly recommend the dolphin show which is quite spectacular. Overall this is an amazing aquarium. I will definitely come back in the future when I'm in the area! read more

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IT WAS AWESOME!! $94 for two people with paid parking but it was worth every penny also has a theater inside and a bunch of restaurants and shops read more

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3.5 stars We came here last Friday at opening and it was packed. Even with a military discount, we still paid over $70-comparable to most large-city aquariums. You can pay $5 for a parking token. We spent close to 3-3.5 hours, so there's plenty to see on the multiple levels. We enjoyed the dolphin show and the close proximity to the ocean. The sharks are also a favorite, as well as the touch pools for the kids that go. The shows get packed, so get there early. It was a nice place, but not worth the price we paid. read more

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If there's an aquarium in a city we're visiting, we will go. The Texas State aquarium is very impressive with well done exhibits. We wore masks the whole time. There are 2 major areas - Gulf of Mexico and the Carribian. The Gulf has some great fish, but the Carribian portion really shines. We went upstairs once we were told that the dolphin show was starting. The seats were full when we got there, but we could still stand behind to enjoy. It's very rare that you see 6 dolphins performing with different trainers at once, but the trainers pulled it off. We were mesmerized as the dolphins waved to us with their tails, played catch and jumped in the air. Definately don't miss the show when you are there. I loved that the Carribian portion had an aviary with lots of large birds and an area where you could see the tanks from above. We then went downstairs and there was an amazing shark exhibit you can walk around on both sides. Definately worth the money to visit this local attraction, especially if you have young kids. read more

Texas State Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Corpus Christi, Texas

This was a beautiful aquarium! Went to see the dolphin show, it was only 15 minutes but it was educating and entertaining. Friendly staff and many huge underwater displays. A little higher in price than most aquariums but it was worth it! read more

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I visited this aquarium last week while in CC on vacation and was pleased with everything I saw. This is an above average facility that you would expect in cities larger than CC. Adult tickets purchased on line last week were $29 when I bought mine but as of this writing I noticed that the same ticket is now over $32. Not sure why. They also have a paid parking lot for $5 or there is cheaper metered street parking if available. There were many exhibits to view with plenty of glass walled underground tanks to view the aquatic life along with a large bird atrium sanctuary. A few of the features are located outside with the USS Lexington providing for an attractive backdrop but most things to see are in air conditioned comfort inside. Unfortunately, Covid closed some special things to see like the outdoor dolphin show for example. But other attractions like the feeding of the sting rays, like I participated in, were still open. This event is free to watch or you can donate $5 for 3 small fish that allows you to hand feed the rays in their outdoor pool. As an add on, there is a large outdoor splash pad area for kids to have fun getting wet. They do have an on-premise outdoor casual restaurant but it was closed due to Covid. I recommend coming here while visiting in the area and would budget 3 hours to see everything. Possibly even more time if you bring the kiddos. read more

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When I'm Corpus Christi do what the locals do... visit the aquarium. Things have much improved since our last visit. The displays were full and great to observe. Watching kiddos have faces of awe is always a good time. My favorite is always the otters, and they were out and adorable. The kids had a great time at all the indoor and outdoor exhibits. Taking a break on the porch swings after taking in all the animals was wonderful, a breeze off the gulf and talking about sea turtles is tops. The splash pad is a great way to end the visit. So if you're coming bring a change of clothes. And it opens around 11am. Also if you are a member of the SA ZOO there is reciprocity, who doesn't love saving money? We basically BOGO'd the adult admissions, and if your kiddo is under 3 they are free. Great adventure for any age but definitely a great family day trip adventure stop. read more

Texas State Aquarium - Shark tank exhibit, and a lecture was being held in the background - Aquariums Near Me - Corpus Christi, Texas

Fun way to spend the afternoon in corpus! This aquarium is really nice. I've been to aquariums all over the world and I have to say, this one is one of the best. The animals aren't shoved in tight spaces or over crowded. It could seem like they don't have a lot, but they do, they just provide decent space. I do think that the price was a little hefty, especially since it's smaller in comparison to a bunch of other aquariums. I'm sad I didn't stay for the dolphin show but it was just too cold outside, so be prepared for that in the winter time. I personally thought they were taking covid precautions well, but I also went during a winter storm time so I'm sure not many people are going out this weekend. The gift shop though, lord those prices. That's all I'm going to say about that though. read more

Texas State Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Corpus Christi, Texas

This is a great aquarium. I went here on a date with my boyfriend and I do have to say it is a great aquarium for adults and kids. I liked how I got to pet the jellyfish and other various creatures. This aquarium is beautiful. My only complaint is it's expensive which is not surprising. It was $40 per adult. Military discount was $2 off each ticket. They really could offer a bit of a better discount for military members. I also don't like having to pay $5 to park on top of expensive tickets. I got nachos for $6.99 + 75 cent upgrade for pico. It was not great food but I wasn't expecting much from an aquarium. read more

Texas State Aquarium - Nachos (added pico for an additional charge) - Aquariums Near Me - Corpus Christi, Texas

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