Open house at aquarium adventure

By MARCIA LANE

SAINT AUGUSTINE – Northeast Florida’s newest marine attraction is holding its official grand opening Memorial Day weekend.

St Augustine Aquarium and Snorkel Adventure is at 2045 State Road 16, next to the Courtyard Marriott.

The kid-friendly attraction features open air exhibits including a shark and ray cove, 80,000 gallon Florida Reef Habitat tank, seahorse exhibit, hands-on invertebrate touch habitat and a shark tooth dig area. Knowledgeable guides talk about the inhabitants including Bruce, Bruiser and Helen, the nurse sharks

For the adventurous the facility offers the opportunity to feed sharks or go for a snorkel dive with fish and stingrays. A zipline offers a unique view of the facility.

On Sunday (May 28) free giveaways, crafts, face painting and shark tooth fossil craft are scheduled during the day. On Monday the attraction features a flag ceremony at 12:30 p.m.  Military service personnel with ID can get in at a 25 percent discount. From 11:30-22:30, a scavenger hunt is planned. Face painting and free giveaways are scheduled.

Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children 3 to 12.