December 5, 2022

ODYSEA AQUARIUM

9500 East Via de Ventura A-100, Scottsdale, AZ 85256

“OdySea Aquarium in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a marine aquarium, and the largest aquarium in the Southwest United States. It holds more than 2,000,000 US gallons of water and spans over 200,000 square feet.” - Wikipedia

This aquarium reminded me of Denver’s Downtown Aquarium, which I visited about six weeks ago.  Both start by showcasing the fish in the local rivers and lakes and then expand the area to rivers and seas around the world.  For $5 I was able to purchase an audio guide to the exhibits which did a great job of explaining the habitats and unusual features of the fish in the different tanks.  I enjoyed the Paddlefish, the Electric Eel, and the Walking Batfish. 

Near the end of the journey, one boards the OdySea Voyager, “the world’s only rotating aquarium experience.  Every five minutes the doors open, and visitors enter a room with auditorium-style seats.  Once in their places, the seats, which are on a large turntable, rotate revealing a large aquarium.  For five minutes visitors listen to a recording explaining what is in front of them, and then the turntable rotates to the next aquarium.  After viewing four different aquariums you return to where you started and exit.   The first aquarium had rays and sea turtles, next were groupers and some other fish, the third tank had sea lions, and the final tank had sharks.  It was an interesting method of crowd control, making sure that the everyone had an equal chance to view the different tanks.  However, on this day there were no crowds.  I was the only person in my “pod.”  I would have like more time in front of some of the aquariums and less at others.  But I understand their concept.

At the end of the day, I enjoyed my visit.  Would I go again?  The only thing that would keep me from returning is the price of admission.  I purchased a package combining the aquarium with the Butterfly Wonderland, supposedly saving me money.  With tax and fees, the total came to about $75, which in my mind is a little steep.