This Aquarium features more than 250 species of sea life in 350,000 gallons of sea water. Exhibits focus on plants and animals native to the Gulf of Mexico. Especially notable is an artificial reef community created by the massive leg of an offshore oil rig where moray eels, stingrays and sharks live. A marsh contains a rare albino alligator, and Conservation Cove houses sea turtles and a center dedicated to other endangered animals.
Cartoon characters guide visitors through "The Wonderful World of Sherman's Lagoon", an exhibit of lagoons, barrier reefs and their residents. Raptor Roost, a hexagonal aviary, offers sanctuary to disabled birds of prey. Among species in the aviary are red-tailed and Swainson's hawks.