Some travel days don’t come with perfect weather—but that didn’t stop us from having a splash of a time at the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut! Yes, it rained, and yes, a lot of the exhibits are outside, but we came prepared with umbrellas and an unshakable sense of adventure. The drizzle actually added a cozy, mysterious vibe to the whole experience—like we were walking through an ocean-themed movie set.
Mystic Aquarium, founded in 1973, has become a leader in marine research, conservation, and education. It’s one of only two aquariums in the United States that houses beluga whales, and it offers visitors a chance to connect with marine life in a way that’s immersive, inspiring, and fun for all ages. From sea lions to spider crabs, we saw it all—and we learned so much along the way!
One of my favorite parts of the day? The incredible staff. Everyone we talked to was warm, welcoming, and seriously passionate about the animals they care for. Their knowledge added a whole new layer of appreciation to each exhibit.
Layla’s highlight was definitely the California sea lion show—and I have to agree, it was amazing. These sea lions weren’t just showing off tricks—they were interacting with their trainers and the audience in a way that felt personal and playful. One even came up out of the water for a closer look at us humans!
Here are some of our favorite animals we saw during our visit—plus a fun fact about each one!
Puffer Fish
This round little swimmer was endlessly fascinating to watch, floating calmly through the water with an air of quiet curiosity.
Fun fact: Puffer fish can inflate to nearly three times their size by rapidly ingesting water (or air) as a defense mechanism—but it’s stressful for them, so we were happy to see ours relaxed and puff-free!
Sand Tiger Shark
This shark had serious presence, cruising slowly with its signature snaggle-toothed grin. Despite looking fierce, it moved with an eerie grace.
Fun fact: Despite their scary appearance, sand tiger sharks are relatively docile and rarely pose a threat to humans—they’re even known to gulp air to help with buoyancy!
White-Spotted Jellyfish
These ghostly creatures looked like tiny, glowing umbrellas drifting through space. Their slow, rhythmic pulsing was almost hypnotic.
Fun fact: White-spotted jellies are filter feeders that help clean the water—they consume tiny plankton and don’t sting humans, making them the gentle giants of the jelly world.
Beluga Whale
Seeing a beluga in person is something special. Their pale white color and expressive faces make them feel almost magical. They often came right up to the glass to inspect us!
Fun fact: Belugas are nicknamed the “canaries of the sea” because they’re highly vocal and use a wide range of chirps, clicks, and whistles to communicate.
California Sea Lion
These show-stoppers were both playful and incredibly smart. The sea lion show featured jumps, waves, and even some dancing. They clearly enjoyed every second of it—and so did we!
Fun fact: California sea lions can swim up to 25 miles per hour—faster than the fastest human swimmer by a long shot!
African Penguin
Waddling across their exhibit in adorable little tuxedos, the African penguins quickly stole our hearts. They zipped through the water like pros and looked just as happy in the rain as we were.
Fun fact: African penguins are sometimes called “jackass penguins” because of the braying sound they make—it really does sound like a donkey!
Japanese Giant Spider Crab
We could not stop staring at this creature—it looked like something out of a sci-fi movie. Its spindly legs were mesmerizing, and it had a name, which we’re definitely going to look up on our next visit!
Fun fact: Japanese giant spider crabs can have leg spans up to 12 feet! They’re the largest known arthropods and can live over 100 years.
Blue Tang
These electric-blue beauties zipped around their tank like they were on a mission. It was easy to spot them, thanks to their bold color and constant motion.
Fun fact: Blue tangs can change color slightly depending on their mood or environment, and they use sharp spines on their tails to defend themselves—Dory’s tougher than she looks!
Clownfish
Nestled among the sea anemones, the clownfish were a tiny pop of orange and white in the reef tank. Watching them dart in and out of the anemone tentacles was pure joy.
Fun fact: Clownfish and sea anemones have a symbiotic relationship—the anemone protects the clownfish, and the clownfish keeps the anemone clean and fed.
Cownose Ray
Layla got to experience something truly special—touching a cownose ray in the interactive touch pool! She said it felt smooth, like wet velvet, and the ray seemed totally unfazed by all the attention.
Fun fact: Cownose rays use powerful jaws to crush hard-shelled prey like clams and oysters, and they can live in both saltwater and brackish environments.
Even with the rain, Mystic Aquarium gave us a day full of wonder, learning, and laughter. It’s not just a place to see cool animals—it’s a place that inspires you to care about them. If you’re ever near Connecticut, don’t skip it—and maybe pack an umbrella, just in case. 🌧️🐋🐠
Have you ever been to Mystic Aquarium?
What’s your favorite aquarium or sea creature? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments—especially if you’ve had your own up-close moment with a ray or penguin!
Travel Turtles 