The Florida Aquarium is a spectacular educational attraction for children and adults of all ages! The exhibits, shows, special experiences, and outdoor play area, provide exciting options to keep everyone entertained. The Florida Aquarium showcases many species of flora and fauna. Aquariums are a great way to cozy up to some of the cool creatures under the sea while staying dry. The aquarium located in the Channel district of Tampa, opened its doors in 1985.
To begin, The Florida Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) meaning they are a leader in conservation and education. The AZA evaluated the aquarium’s entire operation during an intense multiple-day on-site inspection in order to bestow accreditation. This process must be performed every five years to assure that they are upholding the continuously evolving standards.
Contents
Tickets
Online reservations are required for General Admission tickets. Reservations are secured in 30-minute time slots and guests are not admitted prior to their scheduled time. A small number of tickets are available at The Florida Aquarium ticket office however tickets purchased at the ticket office will be more expensive.
Ticket prices fluctuate based on several factors including weather, day of the week, holidays, local events, and attendance patterns. They range in price from about 30 to 37 dollars.
Hours of operation are Monday – Sunday 9:30 AM – 5 PM. The aquarium is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Click here for a map of the property.
Parking
Parking at The Florida Aquarium is easy and convenient. Below are four alternatives:
Valet parking is available most days to guests during the regular hours of operation. Take advantage of this service, provided by The Car Park, at the main entrance of the Aquarium, located at 701 Channelside Drive. Regular valet rates are $20 for up to 3 hours and $40 for over 3 hours.
Channelside Parking Garage located at 369 S 12th Street and 0.2 miles from the aquarium also provides pre-paid parking. Rates are $1 per 1/2 hour with a daily max of $15.
City of Tampa Parking Garage located at 864 Channelside Drive and 0.2 miles from and the aquarium and Cumberland Garage located at 1045 E Cumberland Avenue and 0.3 miles from the aquarium provide additional choices.
Entrance
At the entrance you go through security where your bags will be checked. Because the safety and security of their animals is among the aquarium’s highest priorities and the nature of open habitats, outside food and beverages are not allowed with the exception of bottles and/or baby food for infants. Also at the entrance, you can take a picture with the aquariums sign!
Upon entering the first floor lobby you will come face-to-face with a stunning art installation. Illuminated by changing colors of light, the beautifully crafted metal sculptures of fish and birds portray the powerful combination of nature and art. Each fish and bird may be inscribed as a meaningful and memorable gift. Donations range from $250 for a small to $1,000 for a large sculpture.
Aquarium Habitats
Experience the sights and sounds of 10 habitats from tree level to sea level at The Florida Aquarium! Explore animal habitats featuring animals from Florida to exotic locations around the globe.
The Wetlands of Florida
As you wander The Wetlands trail in the 80-foot tall glass dome (gives the impression of being outdoors minus the sweltering heat and mosuitos) you will see birds soar overhead, turtles bask in the sun, freshwater fish dart through the water, alligators sleep, and river otters swim. Explore Florida’s freshwater environments, from above and below water, in this immersive experience and gain a new appreciation for the animals that live in Florida.
The roseate spoonbill, native to Florida, is a large wading bird recognized by its pink feathers and spoon-shaped bill. This species gets its pink color from its diet, which is rich in shrimp. Juvenile spoonbills are lighter pink in color and as they mature their plumage will morph into darker shades of pink. Roseate spoonbills are social birds with a group of them referred to as a bowl.
Red mangroves grow at sea level along Florida’s shoreline. Roots grow outward from the main trunk of the tree which stabilizes it in the water soaked soil. The sunken roots provide a nursery for fish and crustaceans and serve as a habitat for birds, reptiles, and mammals. These lush mangroves have grown in the aquarium since they were planted in 1985.
Journey to Madagascar
As you explore a Journey to Madagascar you can admire ring-tailed lemurs, explore a tropical coral reef, cringe at hissing cockroaches and lots more. Madagascar is an African island country where 80 percent of the animals are not found anywhere else in the world.
Stingray Beach
Roll up your sleeves and touch the distinctive wing tip of a cownose stingray. It is a titillating experience when a stingray slowly glides within your reach and you glide your fingers over their slippery and velvety wing. They use their mouths to suck in food items and their tooth plates to crush the hard shells of their prey. Florida horse conch, blue angelfish, porkfish and doctorfish also reside at Stingray Beach. I was impressed with the size of the touch tank, it gave everyone an opportunity to spend one-on-one time with these creatures.
No Bone Zone
Submerge your hand into the No Bone Zone to touch sea stars, anemones, sea cucumbers and more! These Pacific species thrive in icy waters, so the water is a bit chilly. The giant green anemone may look like an innocent animal, but it actually eats fish and other small organisms!
Moon Bay
The aquarium’s Moon Bay touch habitat is the only one of its kind in the Southeast. The star of this touch habitat, the moon jelly, is named from their translucent moon-like circular bells and have lived in our oceans for more than 500 million years. A moon jelly is an invertebrate that does not have eyes or a brain. While these jellies do have stinging cells in their tentacles, their sting is mostly undetectable by humans. This habitat showcases them as they drift gracefully through the water, bodies illuminated by the changing-colored lights.
Shorelines
At the Shorelines habitat you will see animals that make their home under rock pilings and bridges in coastal Florida, such as spiny lobsters peer, garden eels poke, and pufferfish. Garden eels create burrows in sand to protect themselves from predators. They generally only leave their burrows during mating season.
MORPH’D presented by PAR®
This exhibit is for the curious and tells a story of survival. You will learn interesting information about electric catfish and eels, mudskippers, poison dart frogs, and so much more. Located in the Aquarium’s new Mosaic Exhibit Hall on the 2nd floor, MORPH’D is a highly interactive experience.
Coral Reef
With over 500,000 gallons of water, the Coral Reef is the Aquarium’s largest habitat. You will catch sights of sand tiger sharks, sea turtles, giant Atlantic stingrays and reef dwelling fish. This habitat will have you mesmerized!
Reef Secret
This habitat features a variety of seahorse and pipehorse species – from pot-bellied to dwarf – you’ll want to get up close-up view. Learn how seahorses reproduce, eat, and survive.
Waves of Wonder
The Waves of Wonder habitats include a diverse variety of colorful species. Watch jellyfish, clownfish, and anemones gently move around. There is a great Pacific octopus. This gallery also features loggerhead sea turtles, hogfish, spotted eagle rays, and bonnethead sharks.
4-D Theater
The 4-D Theater is included with your Florida Aquarium General Admission price. The movies change periodically. Check the schedule before you visit.
Splash Pad
The Splash Pad is a colorful water park for children in the aquarium’s outdoor space. Adults can sit in shaded areas and enjoy some food and drinks while children play. It is a good idea to pack some extra clothes and swimwear.
Food
Enjoy food service options for carnivores, vegans, and everyone in between at Cafe Ray and The Cove.
At Cafe Ray enjoy starters like parmesan truffle fries, loaded nachos, three cheese macaroni and more. For main entrees they offer burgers, chicken tenders, and sandwiches. If you are so inclined, choose a salad or bowl. Kids meals are available. Luckily, the food is pretty good since no outside food is permitted at the aquarium.
Stop by The Cove for refreshing beverages and seasonal treats.
There is also an area that serves beer and mixed drinks.
Gift Shop
The traditional gift shop stocks plush animals, apparel, books, and lots more.
Experiences
Penguin Encounter
Penguin Encounter is a 45-minute interactive experience which provides exclusive access to one of The Florida Aquarium’s most popular species. Go behind the scenes with animal care professionals and learn about the species biology, natural history, and critical conservation efforts to help save the endangered African penguin.
During the experience, participants gather for a special penguin meet and greet. The birds may get comfortable and choose to waddle in your direction. You will have an opportunity to watch them eat fish, touch their dense wing, feel their soft feathers, and take photos.
- Program begins at 1:30pm on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Guests must check in a minimum of 15 minutes before start time
- Must be at least 8 years of age
- Children between the ages of 8-12 must be accompanied by a paid adult
- Maximum capacity of eight people
- $75 per person plus General Admission ticket
Wild Dolphin Cruise
Climb aboard the Bay Spirit II, a 72-foot catamaran, and admire the wildlife along the waters of Tampa Bay. An experienced naturalist will serve as your guide to the beauty of the bay. Hopefully you will see a variety of wildlife that calls Tampa Bay home – including bottlenose dolphins and countless native bird species.
- Adults: $17
- Seniors: $16
- Children (3-11): $15
- Children 2 and under are free
A General Admission ticket is required in addition to the above prices.
SeaTREK
SeaTREK is a guided underwater walking tour that takes place in a 15-foot deep Heart of the Sea habitat. The tour is designed for non-divers 10 years of age or older and there is no swimming involved. SeaTREK allows participants the opportunity to explore coral caves next to the hundreds of fish, spotted eagle rays, bonnethead sharks, and loggerhead sea turtle. The experience is available five times a day with a maximum of four participants and costs $95 (General Admission is included with this price). The experience lasts about an hour including training and safety.
Bring a swimsuit, towel, and shower items. All underwater gear will be provided, including a wetsuit. Locker rooms with showers will be available before and after your program.
Wrap-Up
The Florida Aquarium is the perfect place to spend a few hours or the entire day. While you can rush through the aquarium in a couple of hours, you won’t be able to enjoy everything it has to offer. If you are a touchy-feely kind of person and love touching critters at aquariums, The Florida Aquarium will check all of your boxes!
Until next time…
· izzy
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