The Atlantic City Aquarium officially reopened to the public for the first time in five years Monday, with renovations inside and out.
The ribbon-cutting finally comes after more than a year of delays.
“The Atlantic City Aquarium has always been one of our city’s most precious gems in one of most beautiful areas of Atlantic City, so the Small administration is thrilled to be able to reopen this building looking and feeling like the first-class attraction it is, our taxpayers deserve that,” Mayor Marty Small said. “From our Aquarium staff to our Public Works Department and Engineering Office to our contractors and consultants, there are many individuals that deserve credit for this reopening. Our residents and visitors can now once again enjoy the unique experience that is the Atlantic City Aquarium.”
The Atlantic City Aquarium showcases more than 100 species of marine life, highlighted by Groman, a 225-pound Loggerhead Sea Turtle that greets those in a tank on the first floor.
There are diamondback turtles, southern and cow nose rays, sea horses, pipefish, lionfish, horseshoe crabs and much more.
Small first announced the March 24 opening date during his State of the City in January. But he also had announced a summer opening dates during his 2024 speech.
When that date passed, he said that it was because the decision was made to have the outside match the inside.
“We didn’t want to open that building looking the same exterior when the (interior) improvements were done,” he said.
Inside, one of the things the staff had been most excited about was an expansion of the popular hands-on exhibit on the second floor.
The opening of six hands-on touch tanks with daily feeding shows now are expected by early summer.
For now, there is the “Under the Sea” coloring area, hurricane simulator and photo booth.
The Aquarium is open year-round, seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission prices and additional information can be found at www.acnj.gov/pages/acaquarium.
The public may also contact the Aquarium at 609-348-2880.
The Atlantic City Aquarium first opened in May of 1999. The building closed in March of 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to that closing, grant funding was secured through the NJ Casino Reinvestment Development Authority for much needed capital improvements.
The scope of interior work that has been completed since includes new roofing, windows and flooring throughout the building, new decking and ceiling at the top level look out, complete bathroom renovation, HVAC replacement, lighting replacement, interior drywall replacement and painting, new doors at various locations, and duct work, electrical and plumbing repairs.
The Atlantic City Aquarium is managed by the City of Atlantic City Department of Public Works. During the last five years, city staff, led by Gardner’s Basin Nautical Park Manager Lisa Schall and Aquarist Sarita DuCote-Stroud continued maintenance of the building.
Gardner’s Basin Management handles everything exhibit-related and property management. Shore Aquarium Services cared for the fish all throughout the closing.
The aquarium's exterior before work started.Piecing together funding along with supply chain issues have contributed to the delay of the basin’s centerpiece, city engineer Uzo Ahiarakwe said in October.
At that time, the mayor announced a $1.4 million grant to demolish the long-closed bathrooms at the Seawall, and construction of a new comfort station.
“The Seawall is a staple of the Atlantic City community,” he said at the time.
The aquarium is located at 800 N. New Hampshire Ave.
