The Florida Aquarium in Tampa is famous in the USA for its conservation of marine life and educational programs and events.
There’s something for everyone, from onsite activities, enjoyment, excitement, and education to offsite conservation programs for group action.
This article discusses the various events and experiences for different age groups that happen around the year.
Here are the upcoming events at the Florida Aquarium
Evening Tide Talk: Diving Into Your Purpose
- Date: 27 March 2024
- Time: 6.15 pm to 8 pm
The Florida Aquarium hosts a free lecture series with renowned scientists and global travelers.
It includes live presentations and Q&A sessions at the Vinik Room and is sponsored by Wells Fargo.
It is a talk show on swimming, water safety and drowning prevention by the CEO of Courageous Leap Inc., Kymbriell Finch.
They aim to motivate, dissipate knowledge and mold confident swimmers to learn survival skills in various aquatic environments.
This talk show is complimentary.
Day Of Discovery: Hoppy Easter
- Date: 29 March 2024
- Time: 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm
Get involved in the Easter celebrations with a photograph clicked with the Easter Bunny and join the Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt.
Day of Discovery is exclusively for families and kids with accessibility issues and/or sensory difficulties.
It has a limited capacity and arrangements for adaptive lights and sounds based on the audience’s capacity throughout the event.
This event is free for members, while the non-members pay $10.
Easter Weekend: Hoppy Easter
Date: 30 March to 31 March 2024
Time: 9.30 am to 5 pm
Celebrating with your friends and family at the aquarium is an Easter weekend event.
Click pictures with the Easter Bunny at the CIBC Aquatic Lounge on your device or with the Photogenic package.
You can participate in the Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt activity with fun prizes.
You can enjoy costumed divers and unique animal encounters during this event.
Participation in the event is included with the tickets and is free for members.
Field Trips
Available Days: Monday through Friday
Time: 9.30 am to 5 pm
These events are designed for school students and are self-guided tours of the Florida Aquarium.
It allows them to see many different species and habitats at their speed and have an unforgettable marine life adventure.
They require a minimum of 10 students with reservations that you can make up to three months in advance.
You get various ticket prices for students and accompanying adults here.
AquaCamps
Summer Camp Dates: 28 May to 2 August, 2024 (Monday to Friday)
Timings: 9 am to 4 pm
The Aquarium provides a range of exciting, attractive, and educational camps, including summer and academic courses.
The Florida Aquarium events include innovative summer camps for children ages 3 to 14.
Throughout the summer, children enjoy a weekly science-themed AquaCamp, which includes interactive learning, animal interactions, and much more.
They include lunch and snack options and free extended care hours from 7.30 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 5.30 pm.
The AquaCamp programs for the school year align with teacher work days and Hillsborough County school vacations.
Camp activities include crafts, science experiments, animal interactions, aquarium visits, and The Splash Pad water play area.
Those enrolled in kindergarten through fifth grade between the ages of five and 11 years are eligible for this program.
AquaTots
Days: Wednesdays
Time: 10 am to 11 am (on certain days from 1 pm to 2 pm)
This curriculum helps prepare your child for the next level of learning with hands-on learning and the Aquarium as a classroom.
It is intended for kids aged 3 to 5 years and is in line with pre-K requirements, and a parent or guardian must accompany.
Stories, crafts, planned and unstructured play, and aquarium tours are all part of this Florida Aquarium program promoting parent-child engagement.
Florida Aquarium Experiences
Various engaging activities are available to acquaint visitors with animals and their environments.
These include Penguin Encounter, Wild Dolphin Cruise, Seatrek and many more.
These require additional ticket purchases on top of the entry ticket.
Penguin Encounter
Days: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Time: 1.30 pm
In the 45-minute Penguin Encounter, you meet a South African penguin in its habitat and enjoy behind-the-scenes experiences with animal care professionals.
Wild Dolphin Cruise
Days: Daily
Time: 9.30 am to 3.30 pm
This experience takes you to the waters of Tampa Bay to view sea life outdoors.
You get on a Bay Spirit II, a 72-foot catamaran, where an experienced naturalist guide takes you through the bay’s natural beauty.
Watch the various marine lives, including bottlenose dolphins, countless native bird species and many more.
SeaTREK
Days: Daily
Time: 9.40 am to 3.30 pm
Experience this guided underwater tour in the Heart of the Sea habitat, which is 15 feet deep.
It is designed for non-divers and ages above ten years.
With SeaTREK, visitors can explore coral caves inhabited by hundreds of fish, spotted eagle rays, bonnethead sharks, and loggerhead sea turtles.
FAQs
1. How do I book the Florida Aquarium events or programs?
You can book the events from their websites.
Some of the events come complimentary with the entry ticket, and for a few other experiences, you need to pay separately and book tickets.
2. What are the types of Florida Aquarium events and programs?
You can participate in talk shows, scavenger hunts and experiences like penguin encounters, cruise to view dolphins, and underwater tours.
Special programs for kids include field trips, AquaCamps and Aquatots, which are educational, interactive and hands-on learning.
Featured Image: Flaquarium.org
