Florida Aquarium FAQs

The Florida Aquarium is at 701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602, USA. Situated in the heart of Tampa, visitors can easily find this renowned aquarium and immerse themselves in the captivating world of marine wonders.

The Florida Aquarium opens its doors at 9.30 am.Visitors can book their tickets accordingly to explore the wonders of marine life and enjoy the various exhibits and activities offered at the aquarium.

Currently holding the top spot, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium takes the lead, while the Florida Aquarium proudly sits at #6 in Tampa Bay’s aquarium rankings. Each aquarium possesses its unique charm, offering visitors high-quality exhibits and immersive experiences that captivate and engage guests in diverse ways.

Yes, the Florida Aquarium is home to various animals, including alligators. Visitors can enjoy the opportunity to view and learn about these fascinating creatures. They can spot sharks, otters, tortoises, and colorful reef species like sea stars and reef fishes at the Florida Aquarium.

The Florida Aquarium, located in Tampa, is renowned as one of the best aquariums in Florida. Spanning 250,000 square feet, it boasts a vast collection of over 7,000 aquatic plants and animals, making it a must-visit destination for those exploring the state.

The Florida Aquarium, rated as one of the top aquariums in the US, invites visitors to witness a diverse range of aquatic and terrestrial animals. The aquarium aims to raise awareness and inspire conservation action from sea turtles and sharks to lemurs and otters. 

Adults may spend 2 hours exploring the aquarium, while those with children under 12 may require additional time, including a break for refreshments. The duration can vary depending on your familiarity with aquarium displays. For first-time visitors to any aquarium, a reasonable timeframe would be 2 to 3 hours.

To maintain the cleanliness and safety of The Florida Aquarium, guests are generally not allowed to bring their own food for personal consumption. The Florida Aquarium offers delightful florida-aquarium-restaurant dining options to enhance your visit. Indulge in a culinary experience at Café Ray with various enticing dishes to satisfy every appetite. For refreshing beverages, visit The Cove and discover a range of thirst-quenching options for adults and kids.

At the Florida Aquarium, you can observe various animals, including river otters, alligators, sea turtles, stingrays, seahorses, batfish, reef fish, eels, and sharks. Explore the captivating Journey to Madagascar exhibit, which showcases unique creatures like ring-tailed lemurs and hissing cockroaches, exclusive to the island.

The Florida Aquarium showcases a variety of fish species, including oscillating jellies, clownfish, anemones, a great Pacific octopus, etc. Popular Florida favorites include loggerhead sea turtles, hogfish, spotted eagle rays, and bonnethead sharks.

On August 16, 2022, The Florida Aquarium unveiled an exciting $40-million expansion plan to commence in January 2023 and conclude by 2025. Highlights include: – An impressive outdoor sea lion habitat.- A rotating special exhibit gallery. – A multi-species gallery featuring puffins. A remarkable African penguin habitat as part of the outdoor expansion.

When visiting The Florida Aquarium, dress comfortably and appropriately for a casual outing. Opt for comfortable footwear for walking around the exhibits. Additionally, considering the warm climate in Tampa, wearing lightweight and breathable clothing is advisable to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

To provide an enhanced dining experience, The Florida Aquarium has joined forces with the renowned sustainability-focused SSA Group. Café Ray presents new and expanded menus catering to diverse preferences, offering choices for non-vegetarians and vegetarians. The Cove is the go-to destination for refreshing beverages, catering to adults and kids.

Yes, you can scuba dive at The Florida Aquarium. Dive with the Sharks is a family-friendly program for certified divers (15 and older), offering an immersive underwater experience. Additionally, those aged 9 and older can enjoy the Shark Swim encounter, providing a memorable interaction with these incredible creatures.

Swimming with the sharks at The Florida Aquarium offers two exciting options. The Shark Swim experience, available for ages 9 and older, costs $110. For certified divers aged 15 and older, the dive with the Sharks program costs $160.