About The Florida Aquarium

The Florida Aquarium is a 250,000-square-foot aquarium located on the Tampa waterfront in the Channel District. Home to over 7,000 aquatic plants and animals, the aquarium traces Florida's water journey from a freshwater spring to the open ocean. The aquarium is known for its coral reef restoration program and wild dolphin eco-cruise tours.

1995
Opened
250,000 sq ft
Size
800K+
Annual Visitors
N/A - aquarium experience
Rides

History of The Florida Aquarium

The Florida Aquarium opened on March 31, 1995, in Tampa's Channel District. The aquarium was designed to tell the story of water in Florida, tracing the journey from underground springs through wetlands and bays to the coral reefs of the Gulf of Mexico. The aquarium has been a leader in coral reef restoration, successfully breeding Atlantic coral species in its labs to help restore damaged reefs.

Park Areas & Lands

🌿 Wetlands Trail

Begin your journey in a Florida wetlands environment with otters, alligators, and freshwater fish in a naturally themed setting.

🐠 Coral Reef Gallery

A massive 500,000-gallon tank simulating a natural coral reef with sharks, sea turtles, and thousands of tropical fish.

🐧 Penguin Exhibit

African penguin colony in a climate-controlled habitat.

💦 Splash Pad

Outdoor water play area for children.

Must-Do Attractions

  • ✓Coral Reef Gallery - A 500,000-gallon tank with floor-to-ceiling viewing windows showing sharks, sea turtles, rays, and a living coral reef
  • ✓Wild Dolphin Eco-Cruise - A 75-minute boat tour from the aquarium into Tampa Bay to see wild bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat
  • ✓Penguin Backstage Pass - Behind-the-scenes encounter with African penguins including feeding and interaction
  • ✓Swim with the Fishes - Snorkel or SCUBA dive inside the 500,000-gallon coral reef tank alongside sharks and sea turtles
  • ✓Touch Tanks - Interactive pools where guests can touch stingrays, horseshoe crabs, sea urchins, and other marine invertebrates

Insider Tips

  • ✓The Wild Dolphin Eco-Cruise departs from the aquarium dock and offers excellent dolphin sighting rates
  • ✓Arrive when the aquarium opens at 9:30 AM for the least crowded experience and best animal activity
  • ✓The Swim with the Fishes experience ($175+) lets you snorkel in the main reef tank - an incredible experience
  • ✓The aquarium is on the Tampa waterfront near the cruise port - easy to combine with a pre-cruise visit
  • ✓Penguin Backstage Pass sells out quickly during peak periods - book in advance

Best Times to Visit

The Florida Aquarium is least crowded on weekday mornings during the school year. Rainy days tend to be busier as visitors seek indoor activities. Summer and holiday periods see the highest attendance. Allow 2-3 hours for the full aquarium experience plus additional time for eco-cruise or animal encounters.

Tickets & Pricing

Adult tickets $34.95, children (3-11) $29.95, seniors $31.95. Wild Dolphin Eco-Cruise $29.95 add-on. Penguin Backstage Pass $30+. Swim with the Fishes from $175. Annual memberships from $90.

Dining at The Florida Aquarium

Cafe Ray serves lunch items including sandwiches, salads, and kids' meals. The 4D Theater snack bar offers popcorn and drinks. The aquarium is located in Tampa's Channel District with numerous restaurants within walking distance.

Official Resources

📩
Free Download

Florida Group Travel Planning Kit

Get our free planning checklist, packing guide, and group transportation cost calculator. Everything you need to organize a flawless group trip to Florida.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We also send exclusive group travel deals.

Group Visit to The Florida Aquarium? BusBrother drops your group at the front gate and picks you up after the fireworks. No parking fees, no rideshare surge. Round trip, multi-stop, ADA accessible. Get a free quote.