Mermaids are taking over the Camden Adventure Aquarium

It’s not summer, but mermaids are headed to the area—well, to the Camden Adventure Aquarium for a bit.

From Feb. 29 to March 17 (Thursdays to Sundays), Philadelphians can head to the CAA for Mer-World, the venue’s annual activation that features “real-life” mermaids diving among its collection of sandbar, sand tiger and nurse sharks.

The underwater experience happens in the Shark Realm, and guests can interact and take photos with mermaids in front of a movie-screen-sized window while they’re in the 550,000-gallon exhibit. This year, the Aquarium is doing away with timed tickets and will opt to offer an open format experience where guests can freely roam as well. 

The Camden Adventure Aquarium will also showcase mermaids in their own Mermaid Beach Club (which will call the Stingray Beach Club home) where visitors will be able to stop by to see a mermaid wading above the surface amongst cownose and southern stingrays as she sings and blows kisses to visitors, a release states.

Mermaid fans can also join in on a meet and greet at Mermaids’ Manor to meet them up close on their clamshell throne as well. The release also notes that guests can save time and money by pre-purchasing their mermaid photo package ahead of time. The online photo package includes two 6×8 photos for $25.

Crafts-wise, kids can make their own DIY mermaid necklace with their choice of charm and a scoop of beads, or, color their own eco-friendly pirate hat. The Adventure Aquarium is also expanding the mermaid theme past exhibits to include activities and even food and drinks as well. 

On the menu is the Mermaid Sundae (purple soft serve topped with mermaid Dippin’ Dots, whipped cream, mermaid gummies, and sprinkles), the Mermaid Cookie Sandwich (a vanilla soft serve sandwiched between two M&M cookies and rolled in mermaid sprinkles), the Mermaid Icee (a blue raspberry icee topped with whipped cream and mermaid sprinkles), the Mermaid Cotton Candy Dippin’ Dots (cotton candy flash-frozen ice cream bites), Under the Sea Lemonade (blue raspberry lemonade topped with gummy sea stars and sea turtles), and the Under the Sea Fish Sandwich (fried cod on a hoagie roll topped with house-made slaw). 

While visiting, guests are encouraged to check out the Aquarium’s newest augmented reality experience, the Imagination Sand Station, the release also notes. This multi-sensory experience is an engaging and unique way for kids to learn about the earth, geography, and science through hands-on exploration. You may even see the animals that call each of these environments home while there.

During the Mermaids Festival, Adventure Aquarium will host extended hours on Saturdays (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.) and Sundays (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.). For more information on the Camden Adventure Aquarium, visit adventureaquarium.com