7 Must-See Exhibits At SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium In 2025: Tickets, Hours, And New Creatures

Planning a visit to Michigan's largest aquarium this year? As of December 2025, the SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills continues to be a premier destination for marine life enthusiasts, offering over 2,000 creatures across 250 species, including majestic sharks, graceful rays, and the beloved green sea turtles. This guide provides the most current information, ensuring your 2025 visit is seamless, from navigating the latest exhibits to securing the best ticket deals.

The aquarium is constantly updating its interactive zones and creature encounters, making it a fresh experience even for repeat visitors. Whether you're drawn to the state's only underwater ocean tunnel or eager to meet a massive new resident, SEA LIFE Michigan is an essential stop for families and anyone curious about the wonders of the deep sea.

SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium: Essential Visitor Information for 2025

Before diving into the incredible exhibits, here is a quick overview of the vital details you need for your trip to the Auburn Hills location.

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• Location: Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, 4000 Baldwin Rd, Auburn Hills, Michigan.
• Michigan Status: It is officially the largest aquarium in the state, offering an unparalleled underwater adventure.
• Creatures: Home to over 2,000 creatures from more than 250 species.
• Key Species: Sharks, rays, green sea turtles, jellyfish, and various tropical fish are among the star attractions.

Updated 2025 Ticket Prices and Operating Hours

Ticket prices and operating hours are subject to change, but the following represents the general structure for 2025. Booking online in advance is highly recommended to secure the best rates and entry times, especially on weekends, which are often designated as "Blackout Dates" for certain discounts.

General Admission Pricing (Approximate)

• Standard SEA LIFE Admission: Starts around $19.99 per person.
• Admission + Digital Photo Pass: Starts around $21.99.
• Discounted Tickets: Available through partners like AAA or FunEx, starting as low as $18.39.
• Combo Tickets: Often available for a reduced rate when bundled with admission to the nearby LEGOLAND Discovery Center.

Typical 2025 Operating Hours

Hours can vary seasonally and on holidays, but the general schedule is as follows:

• Sundays–Fridays: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.
• Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Last Entry: One hour before the stated closing time.

The 7 Must-See Exhibits and Creature Encounters

The SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium is structured into more than 10 interactive zones, each dedicated to a different marine environment. To maximize your experience, here are the seven most popular and essential exhibits to include in your visit.

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1. Michigan's Only Underwater Tropical Ocean Tunnel

This is arguably the aquarium's most iconic feature. The Tropical Ocean Exhibit allows visitors to walk through a transparent tunnel as sharks, green sea turtles, and schools of tropical fish swim overhead and all around you. It provides a truly immersive 360-degree view of the ocean floor, making you feel like you're strolling on the bottom of the sea.

2. The New CLAWS Exhibit: Japanese Spider Crab

A major and relatively recent addition to the aquarium is the CLAWS exhibit. This zone is dedicated to crustaceans and features some truly massive residents. The star attraction is the Japanese spider crab, an enormous creature with a leg span that will leave you speechless. This exhibit provides a fascinating look at the world's largest arthropods.

3. Interactive Touchpool Experience

For a hands-on experience, the Interactive Touchpool is a must-stop, especially for children. Under the supervision of expert staff, visitors can gently touch and interact with various creatures. You can feel the rough texture of a sea star and the sticky surface of a sea anemone, providing a unique sensory learning opportunity.

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4. Stingray Bay

Stingray Bay offers a shallow-water view of these fascinating cartilaginous fish. Watch as the stingrays glide gracefully through the water, often coming right up to the edge of the tank. This exhibit is a favorite for observing the unique 'smiling' faces and elegant movements of the rays as they swim.

5. Freshwater Exhibit

A nod to Michigan's own aquatic heritage, the Freshwater Exhibit showcases fish and other creatures typically found in freshwater streams and lakes. It's a great opportunity to connect the global marine world with the local ecosystems of Michigan, including its many beautiful lakes and rivers.

6. Doodle Reef

The Doodle Reef is a highly interactive and imaginative zone. Visitors can digitally color their own fish creation, then watch as their unique sea creature is scanned and appears swimming on a large, digital reef display. This blend of art and technology is a huge hit with younger visitors.

7. 360° Shoaling Ring Exhibit

This mesmerizing exhibit features a massive, cylindrical tank where hundreds of small fish swim in coordinated movements, known as shoaling. The 360-degree view allows you to stand completely surrounded by the swirling, silver cloud of fish, demonstrating the beautiful and complex behavior of marine life in large groups.

Tips for a Seamless SEA LIFE Michigan Visit

To ensure you make the most of your time at Michigan's largest aquarium, keep these expert tips in mind.

Plan Around Special Events (Shark Days 2025)

The aquarium frequently hosts themed weeks and special events. For example, "Shark Days" is a major annual event. In 2025, this is scheduled for the week of July 19-27, featuring special shark talks and the debut of new creatures like the Houndshark. Checking the official news and media page is the best way to find these limited-time experiences.

Allocate Enough Time

While the suggested duration for a visit is about 1 hour and 30 minutes, you can easily spend two to three hours exploring all the exhibits, attending creature talks, and enjoying the interactive zones. The aquarium's location inside Great Lakes Crossing Outlets also means you have plenty of dining and shopping options before or after your aquatic journey.

Consider a Behind-the-Scenes Tour

For an extra fee, SEA LIFE often offers a "Behind-the-Scenes Tour." This special experience allows you to see the food preparation area, the quarantine tanks, and the life support systems that keep the entire 120,000-gallon ocean tank running smoothly. It offers a unique perspective on the conservation and care efforts for the 2,000+ creatures.

Topical Authority and Key Entities to Spot

Keep an eye out for these specific entities to enhance your experience and topical knowledge:

• Sharks: Nurse sharks and Blacktip reef sharks are common residents in the Ocean Tunnel.
• Sea Turtles: Look for the resident green sea turtle, a symbol of marine conservation.
• Jellyfish: The jellyfish exhibit (often a separate tank) is known for its beautiful, color-changing lighting.
• Rays: Various species of rays, including cownose rays, can be seen in Stingray Bay.
• Conservation: Look for signs detailing the aquarium's breeding programs and rescue efforts, highlighting its role in marine life protection.

The SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium is more than just a collection of tanks; it's an educational and captivating journey into the world's oceans, right in the heart of Auburn Hills. With new exhibits like CLAWS and special events like Shark Days, 2025 is the perfect time to plan your visit and explore the wonders beneath the waves.