(upbeat music) - There are an unbelievable number of things to do along South Carolina's Grand Strand.

So, to help you a little bit with your vacation planning, I'm gonna hone in today on a musty spot that offers exciting rain or shine fun every day of the year.

Welcome to Ripley's Aquarium.

The aquarium itself is fascinating, with so much to see and learn, but what really makes it stand out are the exclusive experiences that you can have behind the scenes.

Take a tour of the Marine Science Research Center, who recently took in a rare, orange lobster named Cheddar, get up close and personal with stingrays, take a glass-bottom boat adventure to the heart of the shark tank.

You can even create a unique painting during a one-of-a-kind penguin encounter, which is on my to-do list for today.

So, let's go for it.

(upbeat music) This is Alex McMinn.

Alex, can you tell me a little bit about your role here at Ripley's?

- Absolutely.

So, here at Ripley's, we all are a part of a team, so we all work together to make sure that everything works nice and well in the aquarium.

So, my job is a little bit of everything.

- Obviously, you guys have a lot of pride in the aquarium and what you do here.

Why do you think someone should make the aquarium part of their vacation when they're visiting the Myrtle Beach area?

- You know, Devyn, this year we're celebrating 25 years of Ripley's on the Grand Strand and it's really a one-of-a-kind experience.

You know, there's nowhere else in Myrtle Beach, especially, that you can go see huge sharks, you can pet penguins, and something for all ages, young or old, there's something for everyone here at the aquarium.

- What about these exclusive experiences that you guys offer?

What can you tell me about those?

- So, like I said, we have something for everyone here.

So, whether that's taking a ride on the glass-bottom boat adventure that takes you over the heart of the shark tunnel, I mean, there's seven foot sharks underneath you.

(Alex laughing) - [Devyn] Oh my goodness.

- [Alex] And you can even ask questions to the tour guide, so they're gonna tell you all about the animals that live here and reside at the aquarium.

- Last question for you.

We are going to be doing the penguin encounter today, which I am so excited for, so why do you think this particular experience is so popular?

- We just got penguins in 2020, so penguins are definitely new here when they waddled in.

- Mhm.

- And we're super excited for them to finally be here.

(Alex giggling) But it's not every day that you get to pet a real, live penguin.

- [Devyn] No.

- And everyone thinks that penguins are very tall and they like cold weather, but penguins are actually pretty small, especially ours.

They're only about two and a half feet tall.

- Uh-huh.

- They like it nice and warm and you get to learn everything about them and you even get to pet a penguin.

So, I always- - I can't wait!

- Feel that they would feel like a duck and they don't, so I love seeing when visitors come.

They get to see the penguins and pet them and hopefully get to paint with them.

So.

- Oh my goodness, I'm so excited!

Do you think you could take me to 'em now?

- Yeah, let's dive in.

- Let's go for it!

(upbeat, cheerful music) - Marley is one of our 21 African penguins.

The Africans are the only species we have here and unfortunately, they are an endangered species.

- I cannot believe I just touched a penguin for the first time, only time maybe.

I don't know.

(upbeat, cheerful music) Y'all, that was maybe the cutest thing I have ever done.

My only regret is that I didn't have my son here with me today, so I'll definitely have to be back.

I'm amazed by how much there is to see and do here, from the exclusive experiences and events to simply walking through all this incredible wildlife.

So, if you're ready to see things a little differently on your next vacation on the Grand Strand, just go for it.

(upbeat, cheerful music)