Stand before a 500,000-gallon coral reef and watch sharks, rays and sea turtles glide past a window the size of a cinema screen. Then wander a cypress boardwalk where alligators bask, lemurs peer down from the trees, and a cold-water touch tank lets you feel an anemone close around your finger.
The Florida Aquarium packs more than 8,000 animals into eleven habitats in the heart of downtown Tampa. Grab your tickets now and dive into a day of underwater wonder!
The Florida Aquarium packs more than 8,000 animals into eleven habitats in the heart of downtown Tampa. Grab your tickets now and dive into a day of underwater wonder!
Key Highlights
- Gaze into the 500,000-gallon Coral Reefs habitat alive with sharks, rays and sea turtles
- Walk the Wetlands of Florida boardwalk past alligators, otters and roseate spoonbills
- Touch stingrays at Stingray Beach and sea creatures at The Tide Pool
- Come eye to eye with lemurs at Lemur Lookout
- Explore MORPH'D and discover how sea creatures transform
- Watch live veterinary care at the TGH Animal Health Care Center
- Meet over 8,000 animals across eleven immersive habitats
- Catch daily animal presentations and keeper talks throughout the day
About The Florida Aquarium Ticket
Tucked into downtown Tampa's Channel District, The Florida Aquarium is the rare attraction that feels as much like an expedition as a day out. More than 8,000 animals live across eleven habitats here, and the route carries you from Florida's own swamps and shorelines all the way out to tropical reefs.
The journey opens with Wetlands of Florida, a boardwalk winding through cypress swamp where alligators lie motionless in the shallows, otters tumble past and wading birds stalk the water's edge. Deeper inside, the Coral Reefs habitat is the showstopper, a half-million gallons of water behind an enormous viewing window with sharks, rays and sea turtles drifting by. Stingray Beach and The Tide Pool invite you to roll up your sleeves, the latter one of very few cold-water touch habitats anywhere on Florida's Gulf coast.
There is plenty more to discover along the way. Lemur Lookout brings a slice of Madagascar to Tampa, MORPH'D explores the strange transformations of sea creatures, and Moon Bay, Reef Secrets, Waves of Wonder, Shorelines and Heart of the Sea round out the circuit. At the TGH Animal Health Care Center you can watch veterinary teams caring for animals in real time.
This is a nonprofit running serious conservation work, from coral restoration to sea turtle rescue, and it holds accreditation from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, WAZA and American Humane. Same-day re-entry means you can break for lunch at nearby Sparkman Wharf and come straight back.
Book through Thrillark and lock in your visit at the best available rate, so you skip the ticket desk and head straight for the reef.
The journey opens with Wetlands of Florida, a boardwalk winding through cypress swamp where alligators lie motionless in the shallows, otters tumble past and wading birds stalk the water's edge. Deeper inside, the Coral Reefs habitat is the showstopper, a half-million gallons of water behind an enormous viewing window with sharks, rays and sea turtles drifting by. Stingray Beach and The Tide Pool invite you to roll up your sleeves, the latter one of very few cold-water touch habitats anywhere on Florida's Gulf coast.
There is plenty more to discover along the way. Lemur Lookout brings a slice of Madagascar to Tampa, MORPH'D explores the strange transformations of sea creatures, and Moon Bay, Reef Secrets, Waves of Wonder, Shorelines and Heart of the Sea round out the circuit. At the TGH Animal Health Care Center you can watch veterinary teams caring for animals in real time.
This is a nonprofit running serious conservation work, from coral restoration to sea turtle rescue, and it holds accreditation from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, WAZA and American Humane. Same-day re-entry means you can break for lunch at nearby Sparkman Wharf and come straight back.
Book through Thrillark and lock in your visit at the best available rate, so you skip the ticket desk and head straight for the reef.
Inclusions
- Access to all galleries, habitats and exhibits
- Access to the interactive touch pools at Stingray Beach and The Tide Pool
- Access to daily activities including animal presentations and keeper talks
Exclusions
- Parking
- Personal expenses
Insiders' Tips
Arrive before 11 AM or after 2:30 PM, when the aquarium is noticeably quieter and you get the big Coral Reefs window largely to yourself.
Additional Information
Operating Hours
Child Policy
Accessibility & Facilities
Restrictions
- Open daily: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (January to May, August to December)
- Open daily: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (June and July)
- Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
- Hours may vary during holidays and school breaks
Child Policy
- Children aged 2 and under enter free
- Child tickets apply to ages 3 to 11
- Infants must still be included in online ticket orders
- Senior tickets are not currently offered
- Minors must be accompanied by an adult
Accessibility & Facilities
- Accredited by the Center for Autism & Related Disabilities at USF
- Dedicated accessibility guide published by the aquarium
- Luggage storage included with general admission
- Digital maps via QR code in English and Spanish (no paper maps)
- Dining outlets and gift shop on site
Restrictions
- Admission pricing is dynamic and varies by day of visit
- Advance reservations are recommended to skip the line
- Luggage must be collected 15 minutes before closing
- Gift certificates for daily admission are not available
- All visitors are bound by the aquarium's Code of Conduct
Cancellation Policy
- Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a visit to The Florida Aquarium take?
Most visitors spend two to three hours exploring the eleven habitats at a comfortable pace. Allow closer to three if you're travelling with children who'll want time at the touch pools, or if you plan to catch the daily animal presentations and keeper talks.
What are the opening hours?
The aquarium opens at 9:00 AM year-round, closing at 5:00 PM from January to May and August to December, and at 6:00 PM during June and July. It's closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Hours can vary during public holidays and local school breaks.
Do children need a ticket?
Children aged 3 to 11 need a child ticket. Those aged 2 and under enter free but should still be included in your online booking so the aquarium has an accurate headcount. Senior tickets are not currently offered.
What are the must-see exhibits?
The 500,000-gallon Coral Reefs habitat is the headline, with sharks, rays and sea turtles. The Wetlands of Florida boardwalk is the other visitor favourite, winding past alligators, otters and wading birds. Stingray Beach and The Tide Pool are the hands-on highlights, and Lemur Lookout is a surprise for most first-timers.
Can I leave and come back the same day?
Yes. Re-entry is permitted — just check in with Guest Services before you leave, or show your admission ticket to a representative when you return. It's a good option for a lunch break at nearby Sparkman Wharf or the Tampa Riverwalk.
How do I get there?
It's at 701 Channelside Drive in downtown Tampa's Channel District. The TECO Line Streetcar stops directly outside at The Florida Aquarium Station, Stop #7. On-site, off-site and valet parking are available but charged separately, and the location is also reachable by bus, bike, scooter and water taxi.
Are tickets refundable?
No — tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. However, if your ticket hasn't been scanned. Any price difference on the new date is payable by you.
Is parking included?
No. Parking is charged separately, with on-site, off-site and valet options available near the aquarium. If you'd rather avoid downtown parking costs, the streetcar stops directly at the entrance.
Is the Splash Pad open?
Not currently. The Splash Pad and playground are closed while the area is redeveloped as part of the Sea Change expansion, which will bring African penguins, puffins and California sea lions to the aquarium. Some third-party listings still advertise splash pad access — it isn't available.
Are there extra experiences I can add?
Several, all booked separately. They include the Penguin Encounter, Sloth Encounter, SeaTREK underwater helmet dive, Wild Dolphin Cruise, Stingray Feeding, AquaEd sessions and the Undersea Explorer VR experience. These are not covered by general admission.
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