Discover the marine life of the Colorado River, the Pacific Ocean, and further afield through a series of different exhibition areas, including live coral reefs, a gigantic ocean tank, and interactive tidepools. Look out for blacktip reef sharks, yellow tangs, green sea turtles, and desert pupfish; learn more about local species in Arizona’s Salt River; and find out about ocean conservation efforts around the globe.
For a more in-depth experience, watch the feeding of the sharks; attend one of the daily talks; or head to the tide pools, where you can interact with smaller sea creatures such as starfish, urchins, and crabs, under the supervision of staff.
SEA LIFE Arizona is located at the Arizona Mills shopping mall, 11 miles (18 kilometers) southeast of downtown Phoenix. It’s about a 20-minute drive from downtown and there is plenty of free parking on-site. There are no direct public buses to the mall; taking a taxi is the easiest option for those without their own transport.
SEA LIFE Arizona is open daily and last entrance is one hour before closing. Arrive early to beat the crowds, especially on weekends, or time your visit to attend the talks and feeding demonstrations, which are held at select times—see the website for the full schedule.
It’s worth planning a full day to visit the SEA LIFE center and take in the many attractions of the Arizona Mills Shopping Mall at the same time. Right next door, the LEGOLAND Discovery Center is another popular choice for families, or you could catch a movie at the Harkins Theatres Arizona Mills 25 with IMAX and Tilt Studio. The mall itself has more than 185 outlet stores and boutiques, where you can enjoy discounted prices on brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, and Disney. Plus, there’s a huge food court with plenty of options for dining, drinking, and fast food.