Woodbridge Aquarium & Wildlife
📍 Woodbridge Township, NY
Interactive wildlife center inside a mall in Woodbridge, NJ offering shark feeding, stingray encounters, snorkeling, and animal meet-and-greets. Staff-led experiences are central to the visit, with daily schedules varying by animal availability.
Shay was great! We drove up from Princeton for a birthday and did snorkeling and the shark feeding. All the animals seemed to be well taken care of and had a lot of space! Everyone seemed healthy and happy. They really seem to put a lot of care into making sure the animals are content. At a couple exhibits staff were doing routine cleaning/maintenance but still took the time to talk to us about the animals or fish in the exhibit. All the staff were super helpful and genuinely seemed to enjoy working there. I unfortunately don’t remember their names but the younger gentleman cleaning the sturgeon/tilapia tank was super nice and informational, and a younger woman our age who said she worked there for three years and let us touch an empty shark egg. Overall made today super memorable! I would plan to buy “tickets” that you can redeem for food bags to feed the animals since it was nice to be able to interact with them more. Some animals may not eat the food because they are already fed by the keepers, but that is a good sign to me. I think for people who are local this is a no brainer for a fun family outing.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families seeking close-up, staff-guided animal encounters rather than a large traditional aquarium. The shark feeding and stingray interactions deliver memorable experiences that larger venues rarely offer at this proximity. Check the daily animal schedule at the desk on arrival to plan which encounters to prioritize.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →8,641 Google reviews
Morgan Hendershot
3 months ago
“Shay was great! We drove up from Princeton for a birthday and did snorkeling and the shark feeding. All the animals seemed to be well taken care of and had a lot of space! Everyone seemed healthy and happy. They really seem to put a lot of care into making sure the animals are content. At a couple exhibits staff were doing routine cleaning/maintenance but still took the time to talk to us about the animals or fish in the exhibit. All the staff were super helpful and genuinely seemed to enjoy working there. I unfortunately don’t remember their names but the younger gentleman cleaning the sturgeon/tilapia tank was super nice and informational, and a younger woman our age who said she worked there for three years and let us touch an empty shark egg. Overall made today super memorable! I would plan to buy “tickets” that you can redeem for food bags to feed the animals since it was nice to be able to interact with them more. Some animals may not eat the food because they are already fed by the keepers, but that is a good sign to me. I think for people who are local this is a no brainer for a fun family outing.”
Summer Robison
6 months ago
“We had a father daughter date and went through, and as 2 grown adults we had the best day. Gianna was so nice and took the time out to explain and was so helpful, and so was Ally. Ally helped and explained in the beginning and throughout the encounters. Both were so professional but yet so fun and interactive. Come here on a rainy day or just if you are walking in the mall!!!”
Peechee Castillo
5 months ago
“Great immersive aquarium experience for both adults and kids! I really appreciated the variety of animals and the opportunity to feed them. My son really wanted to experience the shark feeding and I am thankful we did! Christine made our first time feeding sharks memorable; she was informative and it’s apparent that she’s passionate about what she does. Highly recommend!”
Louise Puma
a month ago
“Garrett at the front desk is very sweet and was helpful navigating what animals we could see up close based off the schedule. Shay was incredible! So knowledgeable about all the animals and very passionate about what she does. Very kind and friendly not only to who I was with but everyone she interacted with.”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Woodbridge Aquarium & Wildlife Center features sharks, stingrays, boas, exotic cats, koi, and farm animals in a compact mall-based facility. Visitors can book shark feeding sessions, stingray encounters, and snorkeling experiences directly with knowledgeable staff. Birthday party packages include exclusive room rental. The daily animal schedule is posted at the front desk. Staff engagement is consistently highlighted as the defining feature of the experience.
