The Florida Aquarium is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, publicly operated institution located in downtown Tampa, Florida, United States. It is a large scale, 250,000-square-foot (23,000 m2) aquarium and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This means they are a leader in conservation and education, supporting programs for wildlife and having a strong educational component in the forms of summer camps, school trips, etc. The facility is home to more than 7,000 aquatic plants and animals from Florida and all over the world. The facility is located in the Channel District of Downtown Tampa. The Florida Aquarium opened in March 1995 as a privately funded entity and became a public-private partnership when the city of Tampa assumed responsibility for its debt in 1999. On April 18, 2012, the AIA's Florida Chapter placed the Florida Aquarium on its list of Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100 Places.
On May 8, 2017, it was announced that the aquarium hired Roger Germann as its new president and CEO. Germann came from the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, where he was executive vice president for 16 years, and also served on the advisory board of the EPA Great Lakes National Program Office.
Our family went for the first time. We will go back again. They have so many animals. The exhibits are very nice. We didn't expect to see so many birds and the lemurs were so cute. We did the boat and admission combo. It was well worth it. The boat gives a great visual and informative tour and we did see dolphins along with many other animals. An added bonus is that the staff is very polite.
Candy CooperFeb 28, 2018
This is a wonderful place for a quick and educational visit. Every employee is wonderful, helpful and very eager answer any and all questions. I highly recommend signing up for a special tour. The only downside is that it is pretty small. Without the extra tour I got, it probably would have been an hour or so visit. However, for those who have little kids it seemed to be fantastic. With all the hands on activities and the splash pad, one could be there for quite a bit longer. Overall fantastic, just wish there had been more of it!
Emily HeinrichFeb 14, 2018
Excellent aquarium! We were very impressed by the exhibits and how well cared for everything was. We have kept saltwater and freshwater aquariums before, so we always look at the exhibits with a critical eye (and some other places have been downright shameful!). We did the behind-the-scenes tour, and while it was mildly interesting and not too expensive (~$8 per person if purchased as a combo ticket online), I don’t think I would do it again. My only disappointment was the lack of a penguin exhibit. They offer a “meet the penguin” experience so I assumed they would have penguins on display; there was a section of the aquarium under renovation so perhaps it will be a penguin exhibit in the future. But as of our visit in Feb 2018, the only penguin we saw was one they brought out for a keeper talk in the lobby mid-afternoon. The stingray touch tank gets an A++! My son (5 years old) kept asking to go back so he could touch the stingrays again! Their octopus is also the friendliest I’ve seen in an aquarium setting. She was on the front glass and moved around quite a bit in the 10 minutes I stood and watched her. She isn’t hyped the way she should be! There was a fair bit of glare on her tank from nearby exhibits, though, which made catching a good picture of her very difficult (her tank is not well lit per normal octopus keeping standards). My son was also a huge fan of their playground - which was really nice and SHADED! Overall, we had a wonderful experience and will definitely visit again the next time we are in the area!
K PalmerFeb 9, 2018
Wonderful experience!! My boyfriend and I attended the aquarium on Feb. 2nd 2018. We had a BLAST! Every time we walked the aquarium (three times) we saw new things that we didn’t see the previous times. We were lucky enough to see a keeper talk with the rat snake, Shelley the penguin and a box turtle, and also see some keepers train the lemurs which was extremely adorable! I absolutely love penguins so we decided to take part in the penguin meet and greet! Definitely one of the most memorable experiences in my life! Thank you Florida Aquarium for everything you do and such a great visit!
Cynthia JonesFeb 3, 2018
Decent aquarium but it's not cheap with tickets around 30 bucks for each adult. Getting a yearly membership at around 155 for a party of 4 is a much better deal and gives you reciprocal access to local area museums. They have a bunch of swim and dive programs where you can swim with reef fish, green sea turtles and even sand tiger sharks. The best part of the aquarium is that you can rent out space for birthday parties and they organize it all for you including aquarium access. Check out this up close view from the cabana in the birthday area!
Amit MohantyFeb 26, 2018
Very beautiful lively aquarium. There's a large variety of fish as well as different things to do here for all ages. They take a family picture as soon as you walk in. There are a lot of interactive exhibits where you can touch animals or look for shells, fossils, etc. Even some animals that aren't fish like lemurs. They have an entire kid area which was a lot of fun for my young ones. We finished with their food which was decent though priced highly. And the cherry on top was the awesome water area and playground for the kids. Even my 1 year old had a blast!!! Highly recommend. I'd choose this place over the zoo.
Madison LambertMay 7, 2018
I consider myself an aquarium fanatic ( or is it fin attic?) . I've been to New England at least 20+ times, Mystic 10+ , Atlanta and others. Coming to the FL aquarium was so much fun. The size of the space seems to lead you to think there is more and it is a suggestion they could put a few more exhibits in, but the ones that are there are great ! The Sand tiger sharks steal the show of course with the wide gallery tank. The octopus and otters were also amazing to watch. Interactive displays and touch tanks are a plus. Would have been nice to see more native species and a bit more educational material. The gift shop was really nice well stocked and reasonably priced.
Corliss GallowsMay 1, 2018
Absolutely beautiful! Parking, if you're not a member, is $6. Members park free, just don't forget your membership card- you have to swipe it. The renovations are complete: there's a 4D theater where you get splashed and the seats do various motion things; the splash pad is great for the kids; the deck overlooking the water is lovely. Gift shop is typical amusement expensive, but the stuff is really great. There's something for everyone available. The food is also high priced and just okay. They do serve alcohol, which is really excellent sometimes when there are a lot of screaming kids🤣 There are occasional members only events which are included with your membership. (Food, drink, souvenirs still cost extra- but you get a percentage off all year.) Definitely don't miss seeing the sharks! Or the gators! At feeding time, the otters usually do tricks for their food. It's adorable! If you live in the area or visit often, a membership is well worth the price. In two visits or less, you've made it worth the annual cost.
Theresa VApr 18, 2018
It's a nice regional aquarium. It has a nice mix of the standard indoor/dark exhibits and more open air exhibits. About half the area is devoted to regional wildlife. Overall the exhibits are well done and the place seems to be clean and well cared for. There aren't a lot of terribly unique animals, but that's pretty normal. There is a medium sized tank with alligators (kinda required), and a large tank with multiple windows to watch sharks. One particular standout is a collection of nicely presented jellyfish. Also lemurs. Because... Lemurs. One thing the aquarium does do well is accommodate kids. The exhibits are well designed for them, and there are nice programs throughout the day. There is a really nice water park outside the aquarium with facilities to help take a nice break to cool off. The gift shop is also well done. One downside is the price. Online ticketing helps a bit and let's you skip a ticketing line which does grow to annoying lengths layer in the day, but the price is higher than normal for the size. It's not so much that it's prohibitive, but be prepared and look for discounts.
Jeff SitzMar 31, 2018
What an awesome place! We spent the entire day here. There is so much to see, I am sure we still missed some sites. Almost completely wheelchair accessible, except for the multi story, above ground, wood path. And it isn't limited to water life. There are beautiful birds and other land wildlife. A great experience for the whole family!
Daniel HApr 13, 2018
Was a lot of fun. Have 6 year old twins and they had a blast. Need to take your time and read all the signs. A lot of interesting facts and information. No idea how some people say they went through it in an hour. Get there early and it isn't too crowded. Wait until later in the day and it gets busy and the parking lot full. They have different shows at different time throughout the day .The splash pad was great to have as well. Grab a bite to eat while the kids play and cool off. Only complaint was things were pricey. Although I'm sure a decent percentage is used for the animals, research and upgrades .Nothing that isn't abnormal for tourist places. Will go back again
Jeffrey PrescottMay 20, 2018
I love this place. I could sit in front of the aquariums all day long and just watch. It's so peaceful. There's so much to do here whether you're with kids or not. They have a lot to see from the Madagascar section with lemurs, turtles, fish, plants, etc. or the otters in their den to the giant aquarium where you can see sharks, stingrays, fish, and everything you can imagine. I can't say enough good things. I've been here a lot as a kid, but it's even better when you're an adult. I absolutely love this place. I can't recommend it enough.
Christina LupiJun 3, 2018
The Florida Aquarium was absolutely fantastic. The venue itself is incredible, but the staff really pushed it over the top. They were constantly making sure everyone was happy, that everything we wanted, we got, and that our special day was as perfect as we could ever imagine! Jaclyn was awesome! She was always on it when it came to planning and was a huge help! Her and the manager that night were so amazing. It's hard to even put it in words, but they just did so many little things to make sure that everything was perfect and going smoothly. The mosaic room was absolutely gorgeous, and the penguins were a huge hit! The food was delicious, and everything was just so much better than we imagined. If we ever have another big event, we'll definitely be doing it here. It was just so beautiful and so perfect!
Melissa WilliamsJun 3, 2018
The aquarium itself was great and all staff were friendly and helpful. I took off a star for the gift shop. I spent $50 on multiple smaller items and was informed that they didn’t offer any sort of bag, but I could “buy a reusable bag” for $3 more. Um, no? I get they are trying to help protect the ocean by conserving plastic (in their gift shop filled with items containing plastic), but have they not heard of recyclable paper bags?
L. SchroerJun 9, 2018
Great place to take friends and family. If you enjoy looking at animals then this is a place to go other then a zoo. I highly recommend taking a camera for the tons of pictures you will be taking. You can walk through the whole place in under 2 hours, so take your time. There is a little water park for the kids to run around to cool off from the hot summer heat. I recommend buying your tickets online because you save money and get in quicker.
Marissa KinartJul 7, 2018
Being from out of town, we wanted to find something fun to do! This was great for everyone! The splash pad was a pleasant surprise. It was so nice and clean and there was a bar (cocktails around $10) where the parents and adults could relax while he kiddos played. While walking through the aquarium, every employee we interacted with was very kind and informative. No complaints!
Jessica JacksonJun 29, 2018
The aquarium was absolutely amazing! It doesn't take ALL day to get through, the elevator was awesome to have for the stroller, bathrooms convenient in both floors, but you will ha e to carry your baby to the lemurs if you visit them on the 3rd floor. The restaurant was well priced and good food. The splash pad was beautiful and even though there was lightening the day we went, we were still very pleased with the jungle gym. Myst see if your in Tampa. Great for any age!
Elizabeth KinneyJun 11, 2018
Really nice layout, easy to follow the ideas they're sharing. The animals are awesome, of course. The food court is a mixed bag though. I had ribs, which were awesome, but my wife and son ordered the beef tacos and the chicken tacos, which were just plain awful. The meat on both tasted really strange. The staff through the whole place we're really friendly, knowledgeable and eager to make our day a good one. Well worth a visit, especially with kids, just avoid the tacos!
Kevin McGeeJul 6, 2018
Drove two hours to get here and was pretty disappointed. The best part was seeing my kid excited, but as far as the aquarium itself, I was less than impressed. First, we parked (or rather attempted to) in the aquarium parking lot. It was already full but we paid $6 to get in and circled for 20 minutes without getting a spot. We finally went to the exit and then they told us “sorry you’ll have to park in the garage and go inside to get a refund.” The parking garage is $2/hour and ended up paying $10 total. The exhibits were mediocre. I did like how it was set up on a loop system so you didn’t miss anything. It took us about an hour to get through everything and we didn’t know what to do next. The large floor to ceiling tank was the best with sharks, a huge sea turtle, eels, and lots of fish. Lunch was overpriced as to be expected at a theme park/museum type attraction. Same thing with the gift shop but I was impressed with their selection and variety of items. The splash pad was nice and the kids loved it. I was just expecting more out of the aquarium itself and was disappointed for driving four hours round trip and the price of admission. Atlanta is so much better.
Bethany HicksAug 4, 2018
The biggest hassle was finding a parking spot. Even though there is a paid lot, we arrived during peak hours. We eventually found a spot after driving around the lot for about 10 min. This is a large and varied aquarium. Not only providing entertaining and educational exhibits for guests, participating in conservation efforts as well. One of my favorite places visited during my Tampa trip; I have no real complaints. This attraction took a majority of the day, which I did not regret in the least; I wish I had arrived here earlier. Everything at The Florida Aquarium is well maintained and clean, from restrooms to exhibits. We even were lucky enough so see some of the creatures being fed. I will admit there weren’t many employees around to answer questions. However, every exhibit has an information panel attached. It’s very easy to walk through the many different types of exhibits at your own pace, reading along the way. The entire aquarium and arboretum has an intuitive, guest friendly layout; I didn’t have to worry about getting lost. There’s also a restaurant and gift shop, neither of which I had time to visit. The gift shop looked large a with variety of items from cheap gimmick to actually worthwhile. I’m looking forward to coming back here and trying some of the other activities available. I highly recommend visiting this prized attraction of Tampa.
James GarmanJul 29, 2018
They have a splash pad for children which is amazing for young children. I brought my 2 nieces and my mother, and annual tickets were only $30 more than a one day visit for all 4 of us. The ticket booth person did not tell us about paying an extra $30 for 4 annual passes on top of the daily pass. I think the aquarium would benefit from selling tickets electronically at the door which could inform buyers of this small extra pay. The penguin meet was amazing!!!! If you can afford an additional $30 per person it's 100% worth it to pet a penguin and know it goes to support these cute critters.
Cassie SpurgeonAug 1, 2018
My first time at an aquarium ever and I have to say that I am impressed! Although the place was not as big as I thought, it was definitely a sight to see and I enjoyed it very much. Employees weren't as interactive but I didn't mind as I found my way through everything with no issues. The shark and stingray area is a free for all and that's so cool because when they're good to be pet, you just sit and they come to you naturally to be pet. There were a lot of great fishes and creatures to see in this place and I would definitely recommend this place!
Melissa LeeJul 26, 2018
Our family went for the first time. We will go back again. They have so many animals. The exhibits are very nice. We didn't expect to see so many birds and the lemurs were so cute. We did the boat and admission combo. It was well worth it. The boat gives a great visual and informative tour and we did see dolphins along with many other animals. An added bonus is that the staff is very polite.
Candy CooperFeb 28, 2018
This is a wonderful place for a quick and educational visit. Every employee is wonderful, helpful and very eager answer any and all questions. I highly recommend signing up for a special tour. The only downside is that it is pretty small. Without the extra tour I got, it probably would have been an hour or so visit. However, for those who have little kids it seemed to be fantastic. With all the hands on activities and the splash pad, one could be there for quite a bit longer. Overall fantastic, just wish there had been more of it!
Emily HeinrichFeb 14, 2018
Excellent aquarium! We were very impressed by the exhibits and how well cared for everything was. We have kept saltwater and freshwater aquariums before, so we always look at the exhibits with a critical eye (and some other places have been downright shameful!). We did the behind-the-scenes tour, and while it was mildly interesting and not too expensive (~$8 per person if purchased as a combo ticket online), I don’t think I would do it again. My only disappointment was the lack of a penguin exhibit. They offer a “meet the penguin” experience so I assumed they would have penguins on display; there was a section of the aquarium under renovation so perhaps it will be a penguin exhibit in the future. But as of our visit in Feb 2018, the only penguin we saw was one they brought out for a keeper talk in the lobby mid-afternoon. The stingray touch tank gets an A++! My son (5 years old) kept asking to go back so he could touch the stingrays again! Their octopus is also the friendliest I’ve seen in an aquarium setting. She was on the front glass and moved around quite a bit in the 10 minutes I stood and watched her. She isn’t hyped the way she should be! There was a fair bit of glare on her tank from nearby exhibits, though, which made catching a good picture of her very difficult (her tank is not well lit per normal octopus keeping standards). My son was also a huge fan of their playground - which was really nice and SHADED! Overall, we had a wonderful experience and will definitely visit again the next time we are in the area!
K PalmerFeb 9, 2018
Wonderful experience!! My boyfriend and I attended the aquarium on Feb. 2nd 2018. We had a BLAST! Every time we walked the aquarium (three times) we saw new things that we didn’t see the previous times. We were lucky enough to see a keeper talk with the rat snake, Shelley the penguin and a box turtle, and also see some keepers train the lemurs which was extremely adorable! I absolutely love penguins so we decided to take part in the penguin meet and greet! Definitely one of the most memorable experiences in my life! Thank you Florida Aquarium for everything you do and such a great visit!
Cynthia JonesFeb 3, 2018
Decent aquarium but it's not cheap with tickets around 30 bucks for each adult. Getting a yearly membership at around 155 for a party of 4 is a much better deal and gives you reciprocal access to local area museums. They have a bunch of swim and dive programs where you can swim with reef fish, green sea turtles and even sand tiger sharks. The best part of the aquarium is that you can rent out space for birthday parties and they organize it all for you including aquarium access. Check out this up close view from the cabana in the birthday area!
Amit MohantyFeb 26, 2018
Very beautiful lively aquarium. There's a large variety of fish as well as different things to do here for all ages. They take a family picture as soon as you walk in. There are a lot of interactive exhibits where you can touch animals or look for shells, fossils, etc. Even some animals that aren't fish like lemurs. They have an entire kid area which was a lot of fun for my young ones. We finished with their food which was decent though priced highly. And the cherry on top was the awesome water area and playground for the kids. Even my 1 year old had a blast!!! Highly recommend. I'd choose this place over the zoo.
Madison LambertMay 7, 2018
I consider myself an aquarium fanatic ( or is it fin attic?) . I've been to New England at least 20+ times, Mystic 10+ , Atlanta and others. Coming to the FL aquarium was so much fun. The size of the space seems to lead you to think there is more and it is a suggestion they could put a few more exhibits in, but the ones that are there are great ! The Sand tiger sharks steal the show of course with the wide gallery tank. The octopus and otters were also amazing to watch. Interactive displays and touch tanks are a plus. Would have been nice to see more native species and a bit more educational material. The gift shop was really nice well stocked and reasonably priced.
Corliss GallowsMay 1, 2018
Absolutely beautiful! Parking, if you're not a member, is $6. Members park free, just don't forget your membership card- you have to swipe it. The renovations are complete: there's a 4D theater where you get splashed and the seats do various motion things; the splash pad is great for the kids; the deck overlooking the water is lovely. Gift shop is typical amusement expensive, but the stuff is really great. There's something for everyone available. The food is also high priced and just okay. They do serve alcohol, which is really excellent sometimes when there are a lot of screaming kids🤣 There are occasional members only events which are included with your membership. (Food, drink, souvenirs still cost extra- but you get a percentage off all year.) Definitely don't miss seeing the sharks! Or the gators! At feeding time, the otters usually do tricks for their food. It's adorable! If you live in the area or visit often, a membership is well worth the price. In two visits or less, you've made it worth the annual cost.
Theresa VApr 18, 2018
It's a nice regional aquarium. It has a nice mix of the standard indoor/dark exhibits and more open air exhibits. About half the area is devoted to regional wildlife. Overall the exhibits are well done and the place seems to be clean and well cared for. There aren't a lot of terribly unique animals, but that's pretty normal. There is a medium sized tank with alligators (kinda required), and a large tank with multiple windows to watch sharks. One particular standout is a collection of nicely presented jellyfish. Also lemurs. Because... Lemurs. One thing the aquarium does do well is accommodate kids. The exhibits are well designed for them, and there are nice programs throughout the day. There is a really nice water park outside the aquarium with facilities to help take a nice break to cool off. The gift shop is also well done. One downside is the price. Online ticketing helps a bit and let's you skip a ticketing line which does grow to annoying lengths layer in the day, but the price is higher than normal for the size. It's not so much that it's prohibitive, but be prepared and look for discounts.
Jeff SitzMar 31, 2018
What an awesome place! We spent the entire day here. There is so much to see, I am sure we still missed some sites. Almost completely wheelchair accessible, except for the multi story, above ground, wood path. And it isn't limited to water life. There are beautiful birds and other land wildlife. A great experience for the whole family!
Daniel HApr 13, 2018
Was a lot of fun. Have 6 year old twins and they had a blast. Need to take your time and read all the signs. A lot of interesting facts and information. No idea how some people say they went through it in an hour. Get there early and it isn't too crowded. Wait until later in the day and it gets busy and the parking lot full. They have different shows at different time throughout the day .The splash pad was great to have as well. Grab a bite to eat while the kids play and cool off. Only complaint was things were pricey. Although I'm sure a decent percentage is used for the animals, research and upgrades .Nothing that isn't abnormal for tourist places. Will go back again
Jeffrey PrescottMay 20, 2018
I love this place. I could sit in front of the aquariums all day long and just watch. It's so peaceful. There's so much to do here whether you're with kids or not. They have a lot to see from the Madagascar section with lemurs, turtles, fish, plants, etc. or the otters in their den to the giant aquarium where you can see sharks, stingrays, fish, and everything you can imagine. I can't say enough good things. I've been here a lot as a kid, but it's even better when you're an adult. I absolutely love this place. I can't recommend it enough.
Christina LupiJun 3, 2018
The Florida Aquarium was absolutely fantastic. The venue itself is incredible, but the staff really pushed it over the top. They were constantly making sure everyone was happy, that everything we wanted, we got, and that our special day was as perfect as we could ever imagine! Jaclyn was awesome! She was always on it when it came to planning and was a huge help! Her and the manager that night were so amazing. It's hard to even put it in words, but they just did so many little things to make sure that everything was perfect and going smoothly. The mosaic room was absolutely gorgeous, and the penguins were a huge hit! The food was delicious, and everything was just so much better than we imagined. If we ever have another big event, we'll definitely be doing it here. It was just so beautiful and so perfect!
Melissa WilliamsJun 3, 2018
The aquarium itself was great and all staff were friendly and helpful. I took off a star for the gift shop. I spent $50 on multiple smaller items and was informed that they didn’t offer any sort of bag, but I could “buy a reusable bag” for $3 more. Um, no? I get they are trying to help protect the ocean by conserving plastic (in their gift shop filled with items containing plastic), but have they not heard of recyclable paper bags?
L. SchroerJun 9, 2018
Great place to take friends and family. If you enjoy looking at animals then this is a place to go other then a zoo. I highly recommend taking a camera for the tons of pictures you will be taking. You can walk through the whole place in under 2 hours, so take your time. There is a little water park for the kids to run around to cool off from the hot summer heat. I recommend buying your tickets online because you save money and get in quicker.
Marissa KinartJul 7, 2018
Being from out of town, we wanted to find something fun to do! This was great for everyone! The splash pad was a pleasant surprise. It was so nice and clean and there was a bar (cocktails around $10) where the parents and adults could relax while he kiddos played. While walking through the aquarium, every employee we interacted with was very kind and informative. No complaints!
Jessica JacksonJun 29, 2018
The aquarium was absolutely amazing! It doesn't take ALL day to get through, the elevator was awesome to have for the stroller, bathrooms convenient in both floors, but you will ha e to carry your baby to the lemurs if you visit them on the 3rd floor. The restaurant was well priced and good food. The splash pad was beautiful and even though there was lightening the day we went, we were still very pleased with the jungle gym. Myst see if your in Tampa. Great for any age!
Elizabeth KinneyJun 11, 2018
Really nice layout, easy to follow the ideas they're sharing. The animals are awesome, of course. The food court is a mixed bag though. I had ribs, which were awesome, but my wife and son ordered the beef tacos and the chicken tacos, which were just plain awful. The meat on both tasted really strange. The staff through the whole place we're really friendly, knowledgeable and eager to make our day a good one. Well worth a visit, especially with kids, just avoid the tacos!
Kevin McGeeJul 6, 2018
Drove two hours to get here and was pretty disappointed. The best part was seeing my kid excited, but as far as the aquarium itself, I was less than impressed. First, we parked (or rather attempted to) in the aquarium parking lot. It was already full but we paid $6 to get in and circled for 20 minutes without getting a spot. We finally went to the exit and then they told us “sorry you’ll have to park in the garage and go inside to get a refund.” The parking garage is $2/hour and ended up paying $10 total. The exhibits were mediocre. I did like how it was set up on a loop system so you didn’t miss anything. It took us about an hour to get through everything and we didn’t know what to do next. The large floor to ceiling tank was the best with sharks, a huge sea turtle, eels, and lots of fish. Lunch was overpriced as to be expected at a theme park/museum type attraction. Same thing with the gift shop but I was impressed with their selection and variety of items. The splash pad was nice and the kids loved it. I was just expecting more out of the aquarium itself and was disappointed for driving four hours round trip and the price of admission. Atlanta is so much better.
Bethany HicksAug 4, 2018
The biggest hassle was finding a parking spot. Even though there is a paid lot, we arrived during peak hours. We eventually found a spot after driving around the lot for about 10 min. This is a large and varied aquarium. Not only providing entertaining and educational exhibits for guests, participating in conservation efforts as well. One of my favorite places visited during my Tampa trip; I have no real complaints. This attraction took a majority of the day, which I did not regret in the least; I wish I had arrived here earlier. Everything at The Florida Aquarium is well maintained and clean, from restrooms to exhibits. We even were lucky enough so see some of the creatures being fed. I will admit there weren’t many employees around to answer questions. However, every exhibit has an information panel attached. It’s very easy to walk through the many different types of exhibits at your own pace, reading along the way. The entire aquarium and arboretum has an intuitive, guest friendly layout; I didn’t have to worry about getting lost. There’s also a restaurant and gift shop, neither of which I had time to visit. The gift shop looked large a with variety of items from cheap gimmick to actually worthwhile. I’m looking forward to coming back here and trying some of the other activities available. I highly recommend visiting this prized attraction of Tampa.
James GarmanJul 29, 2018
They have a splash pad for children which is amazing for young children. I brought my 2 nieces and my mother, and annual tickets were only $30 more than a one day visit for all 4 of us. The ticket booth person did not tell us about paying an extra $30 for 4 annual passes on top of the daily pass. I think the aquarium would benefit from selling tickets electronically at the door which could inform buyers of this small extra pay. The penguin meet was amazing!!!! If you can afford an additional $30 per person it's 100% worth it to pet a penguin and know it goes to support these cute critters.
Cassie SpurgeonAug 1, 2018
My first time at an aquarium ever and I have to say that I am impressed! Although the place was not as big as I thought, it was definitely a sight to see and I enjoyed it very much. Employees weren't as interactive but I didn't mind as I found my way through everything with no issues. The shark and stingray area is a free for all and that's so cool because when they're good to be pet, you just sit and they come to you naturally to be pet. There were a lot of great fishes and creatures to see in this place and I would definitely recommend this place!
Melissa LeeJul 26, 2018
Our family went for the first time. We will go back again. They have so many animals. The exhibits are very nice. We didn't expect to see so many birds and the lemurs were so cute. We did the boat and admission combo. It was well worth it. The boat gives a great visual and informative tour and we did see dolphins along with many other animals. An added bonus is that the staff is very polite.
Candy CooperFeb 28, 2018
This is a wonderful place for a quick and educational visit. Every employee is wonderful, helpful and very eager answer any and all questions. I highly recommend signing up for a special tour. The only downside is that it is pretty small. Without the extra tour I got, it probably would have been an hour or so visit. However, for those who have little kids it seemed to be fantastic. With all the hands on activities and the splash pad, one could be there for quite a bit longer. Overall fantastic, just wish there had been more of it!
Emily HeinrichFeb 14, 2018
Excellent aquarium! We were very impressed by the exhibits and how well cared for everything was. We have kept saltwater and freshwater aquariums before, so we always look at the exhibits with a critical eye (and some other places have been downright shameful!). We did the behind-the-scenes tour, and while it was mildly interesting and not too expensive (~$8 per person if purchased as a combo ticket online), I don’t think I would do it again. My only disappointment was the lack of a penguin exhibit. They offer a “meet the penguin” experience so I assumed they would have penguins on display; there was a section of the aquarium under renovation so perhaps it will be a penguin exhibit in the future. But as of our visit in Feb 2018, the only penguin we saw was one they brought out for a keeper talk in the lobby mid-afternoon. The stingray touch tank gets an A++! My son (5 years old) kept asking to go back so he could touch the stingrays again! Their octopus is also the friendliest I’ve seen in an aquarium setting. She was on the front glass and moved around quite a bit in the 10 minutes I stood and watched her. She isn’t hyped the way she should be! There was a fair bit of glare on her tank from nearby exhibits, though, which made catching a good picture of her very difficult (her tank is not well lit per normal octopus keeping standards). My son was also a huge fan of their playground - which was really nice and SHADED! Overall, we had a wonderful experience and will definitely visit again the next time we are in the area!
K PalmerFeb 9, 2018
Wonderful experience!! My boyfriend and I attended the aquarium on Feb. 2nd 2018. We had a BLAST! Every time we walked the aquarium (three times) we saw new things that we didn’t see the previous times. We were lucky enough to see a keeper talk with the rat snake, Shelley the penguin and a box turtle, and also see some keepers train the lemurs which was extremely adorable! I absolutely love penguins so we decided to take part in the penguin meet and greet! Definitely one of the most memorable experiences in my life! Thank you Florida Aquarium for everything you do and such a great visit!
Cynthia JonesFeb 3, 2018
Decent aquarium but it's not cheap with tickets around 30 bucks for each adult. Getting a yearly membership at around 155 for a party of 4 is a much better deal and gives you reciprocal access to local area museums. They have a bunch of swim and dive programs where you can swim with reef fish, green sea turtles and even sand tiger sharks. The best part of the aquarium is that you can rent out space for birthday parties and they organize it all for you including aquarium access. Check out this up close view from the cabana in the birthday area!
Amit MohantyFeb 26, 2018
Very beautiful lively aquarium. There's a large variety of fish as well as different things to do here for all ages. They take a family picture as soon as you walk in. There are a lot of interactive exhibits where you can touch animals or look for shells, fossils, etc. Even some animals that aren't fish like lemurs. They have an entire kid area which was a lot of fun for my young ones. We finished with their food which was decent though priced highly. And the cherry on top was the awesome water area and playground for the kids. Even my 1 year old had a blast!!! Highly recommend. I'd choose this place over the zoo.
Madison LambertMay 7, 2018
I consider myself an aquarium fanatic ( or is it fin attic?) . I've been to New England at least 20+ times, Mystic 10+ , Atlanta and others. Coming to the FL aquarium was so much fun. The size of the space seems to lead you to think there is more and it is a suggestion they could put a few more exhibits in, but the ones that are there are great ! The Sand tiger sharks steal the show of course with the wide gallery tank. The octopus and otters were also amazing to watch. Interactive displays and touch tanks are a plus. Would have been nice to see more native species and a bit more educational material. The gift shop was really nice well stocked and reasonably priced.
Corliss GallowsMay 1, 2018
Absolutely beautiful! Parking, if you're not a member, is $6. Members park free, just don't forget your membership card- you have to swipe it. The renovations are complete: there's a 4D theater where you get splashed and the seats do various motion things; the splash pad is great for the kids; the deck overlooking the water is lovely. Gift shop is typical amusement expensive, but the stuff is really great. There's something for everyone available. The food is also high priced and just okay. They do serve alcohol, which is really excellent sometimes when there are a lot of screaming kids🤣 There are occasional members only events which are included with your membership. (Food, drink, souvenirs still cost extra- but you get a percentage off all year.) Definitely don't miss seeing the sharks! Or the gators! At feeding time, the otters usually do tricks for their food. It's adorable! If you live in the area or visit often, a membership is well worth the price. In two visits or less, you've made it worth the annual cost.
Theresa VApr 18, 2018
It's a nice regional aquarium. It has a nice mix of the standard indoor/dark exhibits and more open air exhibits. About half the area is devoted to regional wildlife. Overall the exhibits are well done and the place seems to be clean and well cared for. There aren't a lot of terribly unique animals, but that's pretty normal. There is a medium sized tank with alligators (kinda required), and a large tank with multiple windows to watch sharks. One particular standout is a collection of nicely presented jellyfish. Also lemurs. Because... Lemurs. One thing the aquarium does do well is accommodate kids. The exhibits are well designed for them, and there are nice programs throughout the day. There is a really nice water park outside the aquarium with facilities to help take a nice break to cool off. The gift shop is also well done. One downside is the price. Online ticketing helps a bit and let's you skip a ticketing line which does grow to annoying lengths layer in the day, but the price is higher than normal for the size. It's not so much that it's prohibitive, but be prepared and look for discounts.
Jeff SitzMar 31, 2018
What an awesome place! We spent the entire day here. There is so much to see, I am sure we still missed some sites. Almost completely wheelchair accessible, except for the multi story, above ground, wood path. And it isn't limited to water life. There are beautiful birds and other land wildlife. A great experience for the whole family!
Daniel HApr 13, 2018
Was a lot of fun. Have 6 year old twins and they had a blast. Need to take your time and read all the signs. A lot of interesting facts and information. No idea how some people say they went through it in an hour. Get there early and it isn't too crowded. Wait until later in the day and it gets busy and the parking lot full. They have different shows at different time throughout the day .The splash pad was great to have as well. Grab a bite to eat while the kids play and cool off. Only complaint was things were pricey. Although I'm sure a decent percentage is used for the animals, research and upgrades .Nothing that isn't abnormal for tourist places. Will go back again
Jeffrey PrescottMay 20, 2018
I love this place. I could sit in front of the aquariums all day long and just watch. It's so peaceful. There's so much to do here whether you're with kids or not. They have a lot to see from the Madagascar section with lemurs, turtles, fish, plants, etc. or the otters in their den to the giant aquarium where you can see sharks, stingrays, fish, and everything you can imagine. I can't say enough good things. I've been here a lot as a kid, but it's even better when you're an adult. I absolutely love this place. I can't recommend it enough.
Christina LupiJun 3, 2018
The Florida Aquarium was absolutely fantastic. The venue itself is incredible, but the staff really pushed it over the top. They were constantly making sure everyone was happy, that everything we wanted, we got, and that our special day was as perfect as we could ever imagine! Jaclyn was awesome! She was always on it when it came to planning and was a huge help! Her and the manager that night were so amazing. It's hard to even put it in words, but they just did so many little things to make sure that everything was perfect and going smoothly. The mosaic room was absolutely gorgeous, and the penguins were a huge hit! The food was delicious, and everything was just so much better than we imagined. If we ever have another big event, we'll definitely be doing it here. It was just so beautiful and so perfect!
Melissa WilliamsJun 3, 2018
The aquarium itself was great and all staff were friendly and helpful. I took off a star for the gift shop. I spent $50 on multiple smaller items and was informed that they didn’t offer any sort of bag, but I could “buy a reusable bag” for $3 more. Um, no? I get they are trying to help protect the ocean by conserving plastic (in their gift shop filled with items containing plastic), but have they not heard of recyclable paper bags?
L. SchroerJun 9, 2018
Great place to take friends and family. If you enjoy looking at animals then this is a place to go other then a zoo. I highly recommend taking a camera for the tons of pictures you will be taking. You can walk through the whole place in under 2 hours, so take your time. There is a little water park for the kids to run around to cool off from the hot summer heat. I recommend buying your tickets online because you save money and get in quicker.
Marissa KinartJul 7, 2018
Being from out of town, we wanted to find something fun to do! This was great for everyone! The splash pad was a pleasant surprise. It was so nice and clean and there was a bar (cocktails around $10) where the parents and adults could relax while he kiddos played. While walking through the aquarium, every employee we interacted with was very kind and informative. No complaints!
Jessica JacksonJun 29, 2018
The aquarium was absolutely amazing! It doesn't take ALL day to get through, the elevator was awesome to have for the stroller, bathrooms convenient in both floors, but you will ha e to carry your baby to the lemurs if you visit them on the 3rd floor. The restaurant was well priced and good food. The splash pad was beautiful and even though there was lightening the day we went, we were still very pleased with the jungle gym. Myst see if your in Tampa. Great for any age!
Elizabeth KinneyJun 11, 2018
Really nice layout, easy to follow the ideas they're sharing. The animals are awesome, of course. The food court is a mixed bag though. I had ribs, which were awesome, but my wife and son ordered the beef tacos and the chicken tacos, which were just plain awful. The meat on both tasted really strange. The staff through the whole place we're really friendly, knowledgeable and eager to make our day a good one. Well worth a visit, especially with kids, just avoid the tacos!
Kevin McGeeJul 6, 2018
Drove two hours to get here and was pretty disappointed. The best part was seeing my kid excited, but as far as the aquarium itself, I was less than impressed. First, we parked (or rather attempted to) in the aquarium parking lot. It was already full but we paid $6 to get in and circled for 20 minutes without getting a spot. We finally went to the exit and then they told us “sorry you’ll have to park in the garage and go inside to get a refund.” The parking garage is $2/hour and ended up paying $10 total. The exhibits were mediocre. I did like how it was set up on a loop system so you didn’t miss anything. It took us about an hour to get through everything and we didn’t know what to do next. The large floor to ceiling tank was the best with sharks, a huge sea turtle, eels, and lots of fish. Lunch was overpriced as to be expected at a theme park/museum type attraction. Same thing with the gift shop but I was impressed with their selection and variety of items. The splash pad was nice and the kids loved it. I was just expecting more out of the aquarium itself and was disappointed for driving four hours round trip and the price of admission. Atlanta is so much better.
Bethany HicksAug 4, 2018
The biggest hassle was finding a parking spot. Even though there is a paid lot, we arrived during peak hours. We eventually found a spot after driving around the lot for about 10 min. This is a large and varied aquarium. Not only providing entertaining and educational exhibits for guests, participating in conservation efforts as well. One of my favorite places visited during my Tampa trip; I have no real complaints. This attraction took a majority of the day, which I did not regret in the least; I wish I had arrived here earlier. Everything at The Florida Aquarium is well maintained and clean, from restrooms to exhibits. We even were lucky enough so see some of the creatures being fed. I will admit there weren’t many employees around to answer questions. However, every exhibit has an information panel attached. It’s very easy to walk through the many different types of exhibits at your own pace, reading along the way. The entire aquarium and arboretum has an intuitive, guest friendly layout; I didn’t have to worry about getting lost. There’s also a restaurant and gift shop, neither of which I had time to visit. The gift shop looked large a with variety of items from cheap gimmick to actually worthwhile. I’m looking forward to coming back here and trying some of the other activities available. I highly recommend visiting this prized attraction of Tampa.
James GarmanJul 29, 2018
They have a splash pad for children which is amazing for young children. I brought my 2 nieces and my mother, and annual tickets were only $30 more than a one day visit for all 4 of us. The ticket booth person did not tell us about paying an extra $30 for 4 annual passes on top of the daily pass. I think the aquarium would benefit from selling tickets electronically at the door which could inform buyers of this small extra pay. The penguin meet was amazing!!!! If you can afford an additional $30 per person it's 100% worth it to pet a penguin and know it goes to support these cute critters.
Cassie SpurgeonAug 1, 2018
My first time at an aquarium ever and I have to say that I am impressed! Although the place was not as big as I thought, it was definitely a sight to see and I enjoyed it very much. Employees weren't as interactive but I didn't mind as I found my way through everything with no issues. The shark and stingray area is a free for all and that's so cool because when they're good to be pet, you just sit and they come to you naturally to be pet. There were a lot of great fishes and creatures to see in this place and I would definitely recommend this place!
Melissa LeeJul 26, 2018
Monday | 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
Tuesday | 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
Wednesday | 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
Thursday | 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
Friday | 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
Saturday | 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
Sunday | 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
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