A new attraction is opening in the Ancient City, just in time for the holidays.
It's been two years in the making, but the $5 million St. Augustine Aquarium and Snorkel Adventure is finally a reality.
Jake Mitchell, 11, said he lives just down the road from the attraction and couldn't wait to finally visit.
"I've been waiting a year basically, and I've been, like, 'When's it going to open? When's it going to open?'" said Jake Mitchell.
Others didn't mind making the drive.
"I mean it's 30 minutes from home in Jacksonville, so that's great," said Mindy Gibson.
The owners of St. Augustine Aquarium and Snorkel Adventure, Kathy and Shawn Hiester, said they both quit their jobs to make it a reality.
Kathy said her husband has a passion for diving and they want this aquarium to help fulfill an educational void they see in the area.
"Shawn would come back and show me pictures of all the depleted reefs and tell me about how the fish stocks were depleting and it sparked by saying 'Wouldn't it be great if we could bring that to land so everybody could learn about it and see why it's important to try and conserve?'" said Kathy Hiester.
The Pennsylvania couple said they both studied marine biology and toured several aquariums to see what was required behind the scenes.
"Our phase 1 includes the 80,000-gallon Snorkel Adventure tank. We have over 200 reef fish in a Caribbean reef environment and in addition to that we've got shark feeding and ray feeding," said Shawn Hiester.
Their three nurse sharks were the most popular attraction of the day; tickets to feed them sold out before noon.
The owners say Phase 2 will be completed in the next year. It will involve a new building and 13 additional species.
Phase 2 of the aquarium will add 170,000 gallons and 8000 square feet of indoor marine conservation habitats for more marine life, including several types of sharks, fish, eels and rays.
After Phase 2 is complete, visitors will be able to experience an 18th century shipwreck reef surrounded by sharks while submerged in a real shark cage.
A zip line is also currently under construction.The Castaway Canopy Adventure by Zipstream will be a guided tour with climbing walls, bridges and more.
Admission to the aquarium is $8 for adults and $5 for children. The snorkel adventure costs $35 and includes aquarium admission, wet suits, masks and snorkels.
Visitors can snorkel the traditional way with a mask and wet suit or experience marine life without placing the face and full body in the water.
The official grand opening of the aquarium will take place after the first of the year.
SHARE on Facebook to spread the word:
Add this to your list of things to do in St. Augustine. The aquarium -- where you'll be able to snorkel with sea life -- is set to open on Monday after more than two years of planning and construction:
Posted by Action News Jax on Saturday, December 17, 2016
Cox Media Group
