The Texas State Aquarium is located in Corpus Christi, TX, and offers experiences like no other!
These VIP experiences give you a unique view of our exhibits and an inside look at aquarium operations. Interact with our staff and get to know our animals in a way that few others can.
Experience the thrill of getting up close to our six resident sandbar sharks in our Caribbean Sea exhibit while learning about their biology and how we can protect them in the wild. Enjoy a snorkel-like adventure alongside multiple species of fish, including stingrays, barracudas, eels, and of course, our sandbar sharks! This experience gives guests a unique VIP aquatic adventure that they will never forget!
*Members receive 10% off Exclusive Encounters and enjoy free aquarium admission! To apply your discount, log in with your Membership ID before purchasing your encounter tickets.
Are you curious about how our Animal Care staff cares for over 1-million-gallons-worth of exhibits and our aquatic animal collection? Let our team take you behind the scenes! You will learn about, interact with, and feed some of our many amazing animal ambassadors during this immersive one-hour experience.
*Members receive 10% off Exclusive Encounters and enjoy free aquarium admission! To apply your discount, log in with your Membership ID before purchasing your encounter tickets.
General admission to the Aquarium is not included in the purchase of an Exclusive Encounter and is required for entry into the facility.
Encounters can be booked online or in-person here at the Aquarium. Availability is limited, so advanced reservations are encouraged. Click here to book your spot today!
Availability is limited and subject to change. Click here to view our current availability for each program.
A signed waiver is required from all participants before the tour begins. When booking online, you will receive a copy of the waiver to your email that you may print and bring with you, or you can stop by the front desk in our main lobby to get a copy.
For guests participating in the Snorkel with a Shark program, a towel, and a change of clothes for after your snorkel are also recommended. All snorkel gear and water shoes will be provided to you.
Our Exclusive Encounters will take you behind the scenes into working areas, so closed-toe shoes are recommended. Please note that for the safety of the animals, loose items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, watches, earrings, and any other jewelry need to be removed. For additional information regarding this policy, please review the waiver here.
For the in-water portion of the Snorkel with a Shark program, a modest one-piece swimsuit, wetsuit, or a rash guard and swim shorts should be worn.
Photography may be prohibited during the program, and/or may be conducted by a TSA employee where applicable. Underwater cameras, tripods, and ‘selfie-sticks’ are not permitted
Our Feed the Fish program is 1 hour long.
Our Snorkel with a Shark program lasts about 1 hour, and 15-20 minutes of this time will be in-water (please note that the water temperature in this exhibit is 72 degrees F).
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time, and check in at the Information Desk in the main lobby. Your tour guide will meet you in the lobby and will begin the tour promptly at the scheduled program start time.
Our Feed the Fish program will take you throughout the Aquarium to view and feed multiple exhibits, and behind-the-scenes areas.
Our Snorkel with a Shark program takes place at our H-E-B Caribbean Sea exhibit. For the in-water portion of the program, you will be in a contained area and may not leave the designated area at any time. Please note that the water temperature in this exhibit is 72 degrees F.
Children may participate if they meet the minimum age requirement for the Exclusive Encounter program, as seen below:
Additionally, guests that are under the age of 13 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian that is also participating in the Exclusive Encounter.
For safety reasons, children that do not meet the minimum age requirements cannot be in attendance during an Exclusive Encounter program.
For any other questions, please contact us!