Sea Quest will be swimming into the Boulevard Mall on South Maryland Parkway by the end of the third quarter of 2016.
The announcement was made Monday by Sanson Companies. Sea Quest will be a 25,000-square-foot interactive aquarium experience that gives visitors the chance to feed the animals, go snorkeling with stingrays and sleep with sharks. This will be the third Sea Quest location in the United States and the largest of the three.
The aquarium's goal is to teach teach responsibility in conserving the animal world, having the opportunity to feed the animals forms a bond and understanding.
Food packages will be available for purchase or online.
Snorkeling with stingrays is an interactive experience in three to five feet deep water with various species of stingrays and tropical fish. Guests will be given a snorkeling class before the session, and groups may have up to three people per swim.
The open public sleepovers with sharks provide adult chaperoned groups the opportunity to experience the aquarium in a new way. Groups can receive a nocturnal animal tour that includes night-time shark feeding and octopus viewing, morning bird feeding and a movie night.
Since Sanson Companies acquired the mall in 2013, the real-estate development company has been working to return the mall to its former glory. The mall was dramatically renovated in 2015 and has added other new tenants such as John's Incredible Pizza and Goodwill's largest store in its history.
Sansone Companies intends to further develop the property to include some mixed-use components such as general office space, medical and dental offices, as well as child care and other essential services alongside new entertainment and restaurant venues.
The other two Sea Quest locations are in two Texas cities, Austin and San Antonio.
