CINCINNATI — We all know that Santa Claus is a master of cookie tasting and an expert pilot with his sleigh and reindeer, but did you know he’s also a specialist in scuba diving?
If you want to see Santa surrounded by sharks and sea turtles, you’ve got a few more days to make it happen.
The Newport Aquarium is celebrating 25 years, and Scuba Santa has been around for almost all of them.
“It’s absolutely wonderful. The kids are super excited to see me, with all the sharks, the shark rays, and even Denver the Loggerhead sea turtle,” said Scuba Santa.
His gear isn’t quite as heavy as the big sack of toys, but it’s special.
“I actually have to carry extra weight because the suit is nice and thick to keep me warm the whole time I’m in the water. Ho ho ho,” said Scuba Santa.
Santa never forgets his list.
“This is my magic book and inside the magic book is the magic list. You know, the list I’m always checking twice,” he said.
With a little hype from Santa’s helpers, the stage is set for kids to take in all the Christmas magic.
Each year, hundreds of families visit Scuba Santa.
There’s just something touching about seeing all the smiles and sharing the wishes.
“It’s a Cincinnati tradition. Where else can you see a scuba diving Santa Claus, talk to him and tell him what you want for Christmas,” said Public Relations Manager Madison Brady.
Even when the wishes get really specific, Scuba Santa does his best to make it happen.
“A purple Elsa costume with a cape,” said Elsie Gerbus.
“I thought it was really cool. I liked the bubbles, and I like the big book, and it’s really interactive and I liked it,” said mother Brittany Gerbus.
In every corner of the aquarium, you can find pieces of holiday cheer.
It’s all about bringing smiles and sharing the spirit.
“It’s definitely something to travel for. We have people that come from outside of the Cincinnati area too because this is such a tradition for their families. They grew up with him. It’s like a generational thing,” said Brady.
It might be a yearly tradition, but these days, even Santa is keeping up with the times.
New this year is a very special bubble wish machine. Think of it as magic in real time.
“Each wish that is made with the bubble wish machine is a wish from all over the world, and each one that’s popped is a wish granted, so we really need help from the little ones to do that,” Brady said.
You still have time to visit Scuba Santa. The visit is included with the cost of admission.
He’ll be granting bubble wishes until Christmas Eve. For more information on the aquarium and memberships, click here.