Alligator Adventure - North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina - Reptile Zoo

Alligator Adventure is one of the largest facilities for reptiles in the world, and is situated on Highway 17 at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Barefoot Landing is on the intersection of 48th Avenue South and Route 17 and next to the Intracoastal Waterway and has plenty of parking areas available near the zoo. Hours of opening vary throughout the year so it is best to check in advance with the zoo office.

The zoo is in a far corner of the complex with a mini wildlife boardwalk taking visitors across the water filled with fish to get to the entrance. Children under three years of age get free entry and visitors can receive a 2nd Day Free Pass, which enables them to get free entry on a return visit as long as it is made within seven days. It is recommended to visit the zoo in the summer months when more animals will be visible, as some will be in hibernation in the winter.

The main feature of the zoo is as you would expect the alligators, of which there are

800 including, 15-foot adults that weigh 500 to 1,000 pounds. In the main alligator exhibit pool lecturers explain a little about the history of these reptiles. The highlight of the lecture is feeding time with 300 adult alligators waiting for staff members to feed them by hand.

Apart from the alligators there are many other types of animal housed at the zoo, including a 20 foot crocodile, which is the largest in the United States. Snakes feature as well with a number of species including a giant Green Anaconda and the King Cobra, and staff provide lectures about handling snakes and how to tell if they are venomous. Other reptiles and amphibians to be found here are Giant Alligator Snapping Turtles, Gallapagos Turtles, Aldabra Tortoises, Gila Monsters, African Bullfrogs and a Pig Nosed Turtle.

For visitors that prefer the furrier kind of animals, the zoo has some big cats too including Siberian Tigers, African Servals and Caracals. Other animals featured are zebras, lemurs, river otters and beavers all to be found somewhere in the park. Alligator Adventure also houses over 20 different species of exotic birds kept in large habitats throughout the park and include Toucans, Hornbills, Macaws, Cockatoos, Sarus Cranes, a Cassawary and many others.

There is a large gift shop to purchase souvenirs from at the end of the trip. Many visitors have stated that the whole visit should only take an hour and a half to two hours, but it does involve a lot of walking. People also commented that they appreciated the fact the animals all seemed to be really well looked after.

Many dining areas are situated near the zoo either side of the lake with options to eat inside or out. Visitors will find a choice of many different varieties of food such as pizzas, salads, sandwiches and other hot meals. The two closest dining places are the House of Blues and Dick's Last Resort, which also provide live entertainment.