Scuba-diving arrives at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in preparation for Zoolights

Santa arrived at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium this morning to squeals of delight from children. But this wasn’t an ordinary arrival. This Santa showed up in scuba-diving gear. Oh, and by the way, he was swimming among 17 sharks in the zoo’s South Pacific Aquarium.

Santa’s arrival today was a dress rehearsal for his seven appearances during Zoolights.

The Jolly Old Elf and one of his helpers will wow crowds with special visits to Zoolights at 6 p.m. on Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17 and 23.

The Northwest’s much-loved holiday lights extravaganza opens Friday with more than half-a-million sparkling lights. Zoolights runs Nov. 28 through Jan. 4. Hours are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. each day, with a one-night closure on Dec. 24.

Volunteer divers play the role of Santa during Zoolights.

When a diver wearing a tank, fins, Santa suit – and even a grin through his face mask – swam in front of a viewing window in the zoo’s South Pacific Aquarium this morning, it didn’t take long for kids and parents to trade hand-signals and smiles with him.

He talked to them for some 30 minutes through a two-way com system and then shouted “Ho! Ho! Ho!” as he swam out of sight.

For more information about Zoolights and Scuba-diving Santa, go to www.pdza.org/zoolights.