SEA LIFE Comes to Great Lakes
Five-thousand new fish flood Great Lakes Crossing
Lots of space for families to spread out and view the fish at the Sea Life Aquarium – photo by Michael Dwyer
The new attraction at the mall is the SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium. Media had a chance to preview the 35,000-square-feet indoor aquarium before it opens to the public on Thursday, January 29. When the doors open at noon, visitors will be welcomed into a water wonderland of 250 diverse species with more than 5,000 sea creatures altogether.
SEA LIFE Michigan is part of the U.K. based Merlin Entertainments. These are the folks who brought the world Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, London Eye, and 41 other SEA LIFE Centers around the globe. This one at Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills is just the seventh in America.
Many different vantage points to view the 5,000 sea creatures at the new Sea Life Aquarium – photo by Michael Dwyer
Local Fish First
The first exhibit at all the SEA LIFE centers display the aquatic life of the region. This is a freshwater exhibit highlighting fish from Michigan’s lakes and streams. However, for those who already know about Bluegills and Catfish, they may move deeper into the aquarium. Digital touchpads at each exhibit will pump out educational information for those willing to soak it up.
Daily educational talks and feed shows will take place once they are open. Attendees may come and go all day. So, if visitors want to break for lunch but return for an afternoon talk, they may do so. SEA LIFE Michigan wants “to inspire and educate children to fall in love with the sea and its creatures,” states part of their mission. The conservation theme is a wave of understanding throughout all its locations to “Breed, Rescue, and Protect.”
The Interactive Touch Pool is a hit with children of all ages at the Sea Life Aquarium – photo by Michael Dwyer
Interactive Touch Pool
Pick up a crab, touch a sea star, pet a sea urchin, and spot a shrimp all at the touch pool. Always staffed with friendly aquarium experts; this is a rare chance to interact with sea creatures that live close to our shores. The helpful staff will show visitors how to handle the small sea creatures—all of which are safe to touch—so bring cameras to capture the moment.
The Sharks
Several Blacktip Reef Sharks swim around the area of the aquarium called Shark Shipwreck. These common looking sharks from the tropical coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans arrived on January 8. Try to spot the black tip on their fins and watch them swim overhead as patrons meander through the underwater tunnel of the exhibit.
Watch the Shark Arrival from the Video of Local TV Channel 7
Sea Horse Mangrove
A separate tank called the Sea Horse Mangrove holds these tiny creatures – photo by Michael Dwyer
Sea Horses are completely harmless to all other fish and can reproduce every three weeks. They tend to be shy and feed frequently. The tank holding these unique looking creatures is separate from the rest of the aquarium system. While most of the 150,000 gallons are interconnected, there are a few tanks, such as the Sea Horse Mangrove, which is completely separated from the rest. Sea Horses are endangered and need special attention.
So Much More
The Turtle Exhibit is the part of the changing exhibits that rotate out once per year – photo by Michael Dwyer
One of the last areas of the aquarium is the turtle tank. This is a revolving exhibit that changes once per year. Before the turtles, visitors had a chance to see the Giant Pacific Ocotpus, Jellyfish, and Cownose Stingrays. The Rays always seem to be smiling.
There are places to sit and watch, a play area at the end for children, and a fully stocked gift shop. Online advance tickets are $17.50 per person. At the door adults pay $23.50 and children 3-12 years of age pay $18.50. Under age 3 is free. Annual passes are $60 per person; and an annual family pass (four people) is $230.
Grand Opening
Get tickets online at their website. The first few weekends are expected to be busy and sold out. SEA LIFE Michigan offers deals for groups and schools trips. They also host birthday parties. Take a camera and plan on 60-90 minutes to view the entire exhibit. At the end of the exhibit, just before the gift shop, is a “Return to Start of Journey” door. Visitors may jump back to the beginning and see it all again if they wish.
35,000 square feet for the Auburn Hills Sea Life Aquarium – photo by Michael Dwyer
SEA LIFE
Michigan Aquarium
4316 Baldwin Road Auburn Hills, MI 48326 866-622-0605 www.VisitSeaLife.com/MichiganOpening Hours
- Monday-Friday: 10am-9pm*
- Saturday: 10am-9pm*
- Sunday: 10am–6pm*
- *Last entry is one hour prior to closing
About Michael Dwyer