South Carolina Zoos and Aquariums: Complete Wildlife Guide

Explore South Carolina's premier wildlife attractions featuring 5 AZA-accredited facilities, award-winning botanical gardens, interactive aquariums, and drive-through safari experiences. Discover over 10,000 animals across diverse species from coastal marine life to African savanna residents.

5

AZA-Accredited Facilities

170

Acres at Riverbanks Zoo

2,000+

Animals at Riverbanks

10,000+

Creatures at Ripley's Aquarium

Major Zoos in South Carolina

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden (Columbia) Most Outstanding Attraction

Address: 500 Wildlife Pkwy, Columbia, SC 29214
Website: riverbanks.org
Phone: (803) 779-8717

Hours

Daily 9 AM - 5 PM (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)

Admission

  • Save $3 per ticket when buying online
  • Free parking with online tickets
  • Skip ticket window lines
  • Group discounts for 15+ people available

Highlights

  • Size: 170 acres along Saluda River
  • Animals: 2,000+ animals representing 350+ species
  • Botanical Garden: 70 acres showcasing 4,300+ native and exotic plant species
  • Annual Visitors: Over 1 million
  • Awards: 2024 COLAtoday Best Award, South Carolina's "Most Outstanding Attraction"
  • AZA Recognition: Birdhouse received Significant Achievement Award as one of best new zoo exhibits in U.S.

Featured Exhibits

  • African Plains: Giraffes, zebras, ostriches
  • Ndoki Forest: Gorillas, elephants, meerkats
  • Koala Knockabout: Australian species
  • Birdhouse at Riverbanks: Award-winning bird exhibit
  • Riverbanks Farm: Agricultural experience

Attractions

  • Saluda Skyride: Aerial transport across Saluda River with 19 modern cabins (8 passengers each), wheelchair and stroller accessible
  • Sky-High Safari: Interactive adventure
  • Spots & Stripes Railroad: Train ride
  • Endangered Species Carousel: Family-friendly ride
  • Animal feeding opportunities

Greenville Zoo AZA

Address: 150 Cleveland Park Dr, Greenville, SC
Accredited: Through September 2029

Size: 14 acres in Cleveland Park (founded 1960)

Hours: Spring/Summer (Mar-Nov): 9 AM - 5 PM; Fall/Winter: 10 AM - 5 PM. Last ticket 4 PM. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Day, January-February maintenance closure.

Admission: $6-10 depending on age. Free parking.

Animals: Orangutans, red pandas, lions, giraffes, leopards, primates, African painted dogs, reptiles, tortoises, crocodiles

Features: Primate Row with behind-scenes views, giraffe and alligator feeding encounters (select days weekly)

Hollywild Animal Park/Preserve (Wellford)

Address: 2325 Hampton Rd, Wellford, SC 29385
Phone: 864-472-2038

Size: 100 acres total, 70+ acres outback safari

Animals: 500+ animals including fallow deer, sika deer, white tail deer, zebras, bison, Watusi cattle, Scottish Highlanders, donkeys, emus

Experience: Animals roam freely; hand-feed from Safari Bus; walking park area with animals from 5 continents; Creature Feature Educational Program

History: Started by Meeks family; opened as M&M Zoo in 1970; animals appeared in 65+ feature films

Current: Operating as preserve with limited public access; hosts "The Magic of Lights" annual benefit event

Aquariums in South Carolina

South Carolina Aquarium (Charleston) AZA

Address: 100 Aquarium Wharf St, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 577-3474
Accredited: Through March 2028

Hours: Daily 9 AM - 5 PM (last entry 3:30 PM). Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas.

Animals: 7,000+ aquatic animals across 60+ exhibits in 9 galleries

Featured Species: River otters, loggerhead sea turtles, alligators, great blue herons, owls, lined seahorses, jellyfish, pufferfish, green moray eels, horseshoe crabs, sea stars, pythons, sharks

Great Ocean Tank: Two-story, 385,000 gallon exhibit

Sea Turtle Recovery Center: Touch pool and rehabilitation facility

Discounts: Charleston County Library cardholders (free weekly family passes), veterans/active military ($25 off membership), SC K-12 teachers (free entry + $25 off membership)

Important: NO dolphins, whales, or manatees per Marine Resources Act of 2000

Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach AZA

Address: 1110 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Accredited: Through March 2027

Hours: Open 365 days. Mon-Thu 9 AM - 9 PM, Fri-Sat 9 AM - 10 PM, Sun 9 AM - 9 PM (hours vary seasonally, check website)

Parking: Free

Time: Most guests spend approximately 2 hours

Animals: 10,000+ sea creatures including sharks, green sea turtle, giant stingrays, colorful fish, nurse sharks, eels, sandtiger sharks

Dangerous Reef: 340-foot moving path through acrylic tunnel

Special Experiences: Penguin encounters, shark diving, stingray swims

Penguin Playhouse: Interactive exhibit with playful residents

Gardens & Wildlife Sanctuaries

Brookgreen Gardens & Lowcountry Zoo (Murrells Inlet) AZA

Address: 1931 Brookgreen Garden Dr, Murrells Inlet, SC
Accredited: Through September 2029 (AZA + American Alliance of Museums)

Overview

  • Founded: America's first public sculpture garden
  • Location: Waccamaw Neck, Georgetown County between Waccamaw River and Atlantic Ocean
  • Features: World's largest collection of figurative sculpture by American artists in outdoor setting
  • Nature Preserve: Small zoo, nature exhibition center, historical preserve

Lowcountry Zoo

  • Hours: Daily 9:30 AM - 5 PM
  • Animals: Red wolves, birds of prey, reptiles, bald eagles, grey foxes, white-tailed deer, alligators, river otters, ducks, wild turkeys
  • Farm Animals: Marsh Tacky horses, Spanish goats, ducks, chickens
  • Conservation: All animals either bred in captivity or sustained major disability; cannot survive in wild
  • Mother Nature's Cafe Tours: 11 AM & 1 PM; complimentary 50-minute tours observing animal feeding

Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers

Carolina Wildlife Center (Columbia)

Status: 501(c)(3) non-profit

Dedicated to rehabilitation and release of injured and orphaned wildlife. Features ambassador animals including Penelope the opossum for education programs.

Website: carolinawildlife.org

Carolina Waterfowl Rescue

Annual Care: 7,000 animals

Focus on avian and reptile wildlife rehabilitation. Operated almost entirely by passionate volunteers. Places animals back in suitable wild environments.

Website: cwrescue.org

Carolina Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

Service Areas: Myrtle Beach, Charlotte, Charleston

Treats birds, squirrels, bunnies, turtles, opossums, frogs, lizards, mink, bats, chipmunks. Professional medical treatment, education, scientific research to mitigate human impacts on native wildlife.

Website: cwrcwildlife.org

Emergency Contacts

SCDNR: 803-734-3886 (Mon-Fri 8:30 AM - 5 PM)

After Hours RadioRoom: 803-955-4000

SCDNR does not recommend public attempting wildlife rehabilitation. Only experienced professional rehabilitators should handle native wildlife.

Frequently Asked Questions

South Carolina has 5 AZA-accredited facilities: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden (Columbia, accredited through September 2026), Greenville Zoo (accredited through September 2029), South Carolina Aquarium (Charleston, accredited through March 2028), Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach (accredited through March 2027), and Brookgreen Gardens (Murrells Inlet, accredited through September 2029). Additionally, the Turtle Survival Center in Charleston is an Accredited Related Facility. AZA accreditation requires facilities to meet rigorous standards for animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety, with re-accreditation every five years.

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia is consistently ranked as one of America's best zoos and was named South Carolina's "Most Outstanding Attraction" with the 2024 COLAtoday Best Award. Spanning 170 acres along the Saluda River, it houses over 2,000 animals representing 350+ species plus a 70-acre botanical garden with 4,300+ plant species. The zoo draws over 1 million visitors annually and features award-winning exhibits including the Birdhouse (recognized by AZA for Significant Achievement), Ndoki Forest with gorillas and elephants, African Plains, Koala Knockabout, and the accessible Saluda Skyride aerial transport system.

No, the South Carolina Aquarium does not have any dolphins, whales, or manatees. The Marine Resources Act of 2000 prohibits facilities in South and North Carolina from displaying marine mammals. The aquarium instead features 7,000+ aquatic animals across 60+ exhibits including river otters, loggerhead sea turtles, alligators, seahorses, jellyfish, moray eels, sharks, and a two-story 385,000 gallon Great Ocean Tank. The facility also operates a Sea Turtle Recovery Center with touch pool and rehabilitation programs for injured sea turtles.

Hollywild Animal Park in Wellford offers a drive-through outback safari experience spanning 70+ acres where 500+ animals roam freely. Visitors can hand-feed fallow deer, sika deer, white tail deer, zebras, bison, Watusi cattle, Scottish Highlanders, donkeys, and emus from the comfort of a Safari Bus. The 100-acre non-profit preserve also includes a walking park area with animals from 5 continents and Creature Feature Educational Programs. Founded by the Meeks family and opened in 1970, the facility has provided animals for over 65 feature films. Currently operating as a preserve with limited public access and hosting "The Magic of Lights" annual benefit event.

Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet is America's first public sculpture garden and holds the world's largest collection of figurative sculpture by American artists in an outdoor setting. The facility is accredited by both AZA and the American Alliance of Museums. It combines art, nature, history, and wildlife with the Lowcountry Zoo featuring rescued animals that cannot survive in the wild including red wolves, bald eagles, grey foxes, white-tailed deer, alligators, river otters, and native farm animals like Marsh Tacky horses. Mother Nature's Cafe tours at 11 AM and 1 PM offer complimentary 50-minute walking experiences observing animals during feeding, included with garden admission.

South Carolina has numerous wildlife rehabilitation centers providing professional care for injured and orphaned wildlife. Carolina Wildlife Center in Columbia operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit with ambassador animals for education. Carolina Waterfowl Rescue treats 7,000 animals annually focusing on avian and reptile species, operated largely by volunteers. Carolina Wildlife Rehabilitation Center serves Myrtle Beach, Charlotte, and Charleston areas treating birds, mammals, and reptiles with professional medical care, education, and research. For wildlife emergencies, contact SCDNR at 803-734-3886 (weekdays 8:30 AM - 5 PM) or after-hours RadioRoom at 803-955-4000. SCDNR recommends only experienced professional rehabilitators handle native wildlife.

South Carolina zoos offer diverse interactive experiences. Riverbanks Zoo features the Saluda Skyride aerial transport across the Saluda River with wheelchair-accessible cabins, plus Sky-High Safari, Spots & Stripes Railroad, and Endangered Species Carousel. Greenville Zoo provides giraffe and alligator feeding encounters on select days with behind-scenes views at Primate Row. Ripley's Aquarium offers penguin encounters, shark diving, and stingray swims with a 340-foot acrylic tunnel through the Dangerous Reef exhibit. Hollywild Animal Park allows hand-feeding animals from Safari Buses during drive-through experiences. Brookgreen Gardens provides complimentary Mother Nature's Cafe tours at 11 AM and 1 PM to observe animal feeding behaviors.

Greenville Zoo is ideal for young children with its compact 14-acre size in Cleveland Park, making it easy to navigate in a few hours without overwhelming little ones. The zoo features accessible exhibits with giraffes, red pandas, lions, orangutans, and friendly farm animals. Located adjacent to playgrounds, picnic tables, and the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail for biking and walking, families can combine zoo visits with park activities. Admission is affordable at $6-10 depending on age with free parking. For a larger experience, Riverbanks Zoo offers Riverbanks Farm, Endangered Species Carousel, and Spots & Stripes Railroad specifically designed for families with young children, plus stroller-accessible Saluda Skyride cabins.

Last updated on November 27, 2025