This was my second visit to the aquarium and since I am a Florida resident the aquarium is not to far from where I live so we decided to take the drive to see some marine life. It is just like I remember it almost 10 years ago but with a few changes, it won't take you the whole day to visit this aquarium but it will keep your kids entertained and busy for a few hours. If your hungry I suggest waiting to eat out of the aquarium, the price for the food is expensive and the choices are limited. Overall, the aquarium is fun day for the family but it's not very big and can get packed during the weekends. read more

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3.5 stars due to its smaller size and less-than-ideal parking, but rounded to 4 stars for being a worthwhile way to spend a few hours on the weekend. The staff are professional and friendly. The educational aspect is top-tier. The exhibits and animals appear well cared for and I was especially impressed with the ground level Marsh/mangrove display with a large assortment of birds mingling out in the open with visitors making it really beautiful and immersive. I was there shortly after opening on a Saturday and it got busy quickly, which, considering the layout could be a problem on a more crowded day. Out of the two aquariums I've visited in the Bay Area both are worth the visit but this is the better one in my opinion. read more

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If you're looking for something to do to kill 3-4 hrs, this place will work. But first, beware that this aquarium is located in the heart of tourist area and cruise port. Finding parking can be very challenging. And when you find one, it's not going to cheap. This is not a huge aquarium in comparison to a few others I have visited. But it's nice and quaint enough that you'll enjoy yourself. Man of the pools with fish are close enough, that you can really see them and the animals well. Small children seemed to really enjoy being at eye-level with a lot of the tanks. They have both fresh water and salt water fish and wildlife to explore. They offer a 10% for military and veterans. read more

The aquarium is huge. I wasn't expecting it to be so big. In addition, it was unbelievable crowded. There must have been numerous field trips in each room. I was trying to go through it with a stroller but kept getting stuck by crowds of kids. My little one wasn't having a good time because it was overwhelming with the amount of loud kids yelling and running. I'm going giving it 4 stars because it was so much more than I expected. I don't even think we went through half of it before we were exhausted and went back to our hotel. My little one's favorite part were the 3 lemurs on the top floor. He also felt comfortable to get out of the stroller to check them out since we were the only ones up there. read more

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Absolutely loved the Florida aquarium. We had heard mixed reviews from family and friends and had to experience it for ourselves. It was an absolutely wonderful experience for my little family (husband and daughter). My 1yr old daughter actually enjoyed it and was amused at everything she saw! It's a very cool aquarium. When you enter they recommend going upstairs and working your way around and back down to the 1st floor. There is quite a bit to see and do! The 2nd floor mimics the ecosystem of Florida; green, lush and humid. The rest is birds, local fish and sea life, some otters, and a plethora of fish varieties! I loved everything but the big section of the aquarium with the turtles and sharks was my favorite! They also have the cutest gifts and souvenirs at the gift shop. Highly highly recommend! I enjoyed this aquarium so much. read more

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Well worth a visit but as many have already said the parking is terrible. We got there at 10 and got one of the last four spots. We paid $25 for 5 hours and almost couldn't get out because of so many illegally parked cars. The aquarium itself is fabulous. The presentations are great. The Cafe 71 food was reasonably priced and excellent. Took about 4 hours to do everything even though it was packed for spring break. read more

The Florida Aquarium - Turkey sandwich - Aquariums Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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We took our kids for our daughter 11th birthday while we were on vacation. This was one of the best aquariums I've ever been to and we've been to a few. I enjoyed the different areas and all the fish there were. The lemurs were my favorite part though. I just wish they were a bit more active but they were still so cute all cuddled up together. The kids really enjoyed the jellyfish experience and getting to touch them was pretty cool. There was just so much to see! read more

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My family and I had such a good experience at the Florida Aquarium! There was so much to see and discover. I found so many of the displays of ocean life fascinating. It's nice to see and feel the ocean life there are well maintained and cared for. The entire staff from start to finish were all very polite and helpful, we had a lot of questions and the staff all seemed very knowledgeable. There were some food options available and drinks which were nice as well as surrounding restaurants in the area. Such a great place for family fun. read more

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Recently visited on a Sunday and really enjoyed the aquarium! Tons of exhibits and enclosures to check out a huge variety of (mostly) aquatic creatures. First section you walk through has some aviary friends and even a few turtles and alligators. Great variety. Beware of birds above dropping gifts onto you. Ask me how I know...lol We visited the day before first day of school, and even though we had timed entry it felt VERY crowded. During the week is prob much better. Overall really nice place to spend a couple of hours outside of our Florida heat. It's a little pricey $47/adult) but a well designed aquarium. . read more

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While we were in the area, we decided to make a quick visit before we had lunch. The aquarium has a huge selection of animals and even some that were photogenic. You can definitely get a couple hours worth of visiting here. I think it is a little high for the price per person, but it's nice to check out to see what it has to offer. There's a trolley stop next to the aquarium that is a short walk and we didn't have to worry about parking. I found that it is well kept up and there are some interactive animals if anybody wants to engage with them. There are information being provided on signs as well as the staff members being around to answer any questions you may have. read more

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Loved this aquarium. Lots of fun exhibits and all kinds of aquatic life, as well as other animals. It was a great outing for our toddler and the aquarium had a great flow and so much to see. I liked the outdoor play area for kids as well to burn off some extra energy before we headed home. read more

The Florida Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Beautiful indoor aquarium near the port in Tampa! I wish they had their own parking lot, but I understand why now that I've visited, it's right next-door to the port. You do have to pay for parking in addition to your tickets. The aquarium is full with a lot of exhibits and you can take your time or be as quick as you'd like. The snacks along the way are extremely expensive so just be aware of that. I bought a bag of chips for four dollars! Anyhow, I feel like the restrooms needed a little bit more attention, and there could use more employees explaining some of the animals. I really loved the large aquarium wall where the sharks were. It was very beautiful. It was fairly busy on Saturday, but the exhibits were kept well. There is a sloth encounter that you can pay an additional fee for to pay to feed her. There is a café outside that you can get some food to eat, and there is plenty of space to sit and eat on chairs and tables. I specifically love the outdoor playground, which I think used to be a splash pad. The only thing is that I wish it was more Shady because it got very hot. However, there was a dipping dots as well, so you can cool off. It's a great idea to do this on a rainy or super hot day. Just pack your own snacks and be prepared if it's going to rain outside that the café is outdoors. read more

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We always have a great time at The Florida Aquarium - there's so much to see. I love how much has been added, so many viewing areas so even when it's busy it doesn't feel too overcrowded. The stingray petting area and the jellyfish area are really cool and interactive. The bright aquariums with the neon-colored fishies are great for little ones, it really grabs their attention. There's also an outdoor area which is good for letting the kiddos get some of their energy out - it can get a bit hot in the summers but the fall and winter months it's pretty nice. It's a great family outing, definitely worth it. read more

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We took our 8 month old baby to the aquarium and we had such a great time! Our little one was able to see so many new animals and loved getting to be so close to the tanks. The staff was very friendly and encouraged us all to touch the jellyfish (including the baby!). We definitely look forward to visiting again! read more

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Nice layout, $140 for 3,5&6 yr olds with two adults so you be the judge. But two small soft serve ice cream & 3 Icee's for $50. OUTRAGEOUS read more

The Florida Aquarium - Snack receipt. - Aquariums Near Me - Tampa, Florida

This was our first time visiting the aquarium, even though we vacation in the area several times a year--and it did not disappoint! My kids absolutely loved it. There were so many amazing animals to see up close, and the exhibits were really well done. One of the highlights was a section where you can walk right up to ducks and flamingos--such a unique experience! The massive tanks filled with a variety of fish were stunning, and the shark exhibit was a favorite. We were also blown away by the huge sea turtle sharing the tank! We got to touch jellyfish and stingrays, which was a hit with the kids, and we paid a little extra for the VR experience, which was worth it. Since we're not from a coastal state, it was awesome to see marine life that we normally wouldn't get to experience back home. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a fun and educational indoor activity. A great way to mix it up from the beach! read more

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This place was super cool but for 40/ person .... Not ideal. Now if there were penguins or animals you could interact with or pet them it would be so worth it but those were behind the scenes. With that being said it was a cool experience but no I wouldn't do it again. But for kids... yes 100% they would love this. read more

The Florida Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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What an experience!! My wife and I are visiting from TX and took our Grandbud to the Aquarium. He LOVED it!! And who could blame him? This place was a hoot and we were able to see and experience many cool things and species. LOVE LOVE LOVE! I can't wait to go back again with our other Grandbud when he's a little bit older. Thank you for the experience and memories with our familia! As always, Enjoy & Happy Water World spectacle! read more

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We had such an amazing time at the aquarium! Everyone was friendly and it was quite clean. It makes for a great date spot or to go with family. I highly recommended for anyone visiting Tampa or that lives here to check it out read more

We came here so often we continue to renew our annual pass and support this great aquarium. It is always clean, and staff are always very friendly. So many aquatic animals to see and it's just a very nice place to visit if you're wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of other places. Some days it can be busy depending on school being in session or not. Try to correlate if you're trying to avoid crowds. read more

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I was very excited to come here with my family.. and I am not gonna lie, I have seen and experienced better. For the price we paid, I don't think it was worth it. Although, it is a good learning area for kids. My fave part was the jelly fish area. They're so fascinating to watch. Parking was hard to find and my son got sick the day after we went here. read more

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Awesome aquarium with sharks, turtles, and stingrays, but some exhibits felt a little meh, and the most of the glass had more fingerprints than a CSI crime scene ‍ read more

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We're visiting the area and as avid aquarium lovers, we had to check out THE Florida Aquarium. The drive in and parking situation wasn't terrible. We parked close by for ~$5/hour. A cruise was leaving the same day so it was a bit congested, but again, not terrible. It cost about $40 a person and $30 for our kiddo under 12. Our 12 year old was charged as an adult. Didn't like that. We did get a 10% veteran's discount. That was nice. Once inside, we found the digital map. It was confusing, and hard to discern where things were. The aquarium itself was extremely underwhelming. The exhibits were limited by space it seemed. The lemurs and the upper area their enclosure was in was empty aside from a couple tortoises. For the amount of money we spent, I was expecting a longer experience. It felt like a lot of the animals were paid for experiences. You couldn't even view them without paying. It was so disappointing. Maybe we're comparing this aquarium experience to the many others we've seen for less money, with far more value. read more

Payed way to much for how little there was probably only worth about 20-25$ some things kinda cool but whole thing is not worth the 50$ it cost read more

I have been taking the kids here since mine was 2, he is 13 now. We always have a fun time. The kids biggest issue is when there are multiple children and they cannot decide where to go first. We love that a moon jelly touch tank was added. That is a a must for everyone when we visit. 26.02.2025 read more

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I stopped here on a Saturday morning- nice aquarium, pleasant stop but expensive per person. For the price I expected more in convenience, size and quantity, I mean it is THE Florida aquarium. Inside there were a lot of different experiences, goodies and such for more money. Can't speak for members but for my visiting family we could have easily accrued a $ bill for a morning activity. Prices are slightly cheaper during the week and if you buy them ahead of time , so plan a few days in advance. It's squeezed right between the cruise terminals, so parking and foot traffic were busy. I found a parking garage further back that was way cheaper than the dirt lots peddled closer to the terminals/aquariums. Easy walk right up to the entrance. Safe area to walk. The exhibits were neat and there was a lot to learn about conservation. I was disappointed that the penguins were only available via a paid experience due to renovations but the rest of the aquarium was fine and clean and there were some impressive marine life in the tanks. I wish they'd had a paper floor map- I could not get the e-map to load. I actually had to check with the customer service team to understand if I'd seen everything because it was not clear to me otherwise. Nice gift shop, sunny outside play area and big cafe with comparable prices for burgers and such to outside restaurants. Sting ray petting was popular and cool to do. The sharks were also very popular to watch. read more

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We loved our visit to The Florida Aquarium! All the exhibits were clean and staff were super friendly! 4 year old had a great time Highly recommend! read more

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Wow... it was disappointing to exit. I must have spent twenty minutes in the lobby wondering what exhibitS we must have missed, to have finished the entire aquarium in just over an hour....at 45 per person (one being a four year old kid). Nothing in the "morphed" by PAR exhibit worked, and thank god that was true, because I'm not sure they understand how kids or people use anything... had anything actually functioned, there would have been toddler fist fights at the 360 globe, and OCD parents passing out at the habitat puzzle, where pieces don't actually fit. Darwin is questioning your understanding of survival... Neutral comments on staff, as most were over the top nice to my son, while one, on three occasions was super rude- I think she miss heard him on two of those occasions...but Im still trying to understand what she could have possibly thought. Wondering why New England Aquariums (Mystic, and New England (Boston), can beat this aquarium in price and show. Worst of all, it is most expensive to buy tickets directly through the aquarium! More expensive to buy direct! Over priced/under wowed ...saw more alligators in the tampa bay Walmart parking lot. Advice-buy a set of $5 swim goggles and pay the $45 fine for jumping into the wharf to see some "sea life". read more

I feel like it is way smaller than it used to be. They are doing construction, but it still feels like a shelf of what it was before 2018. That was the last time I went and had a blast. There was a water play area that seems to have been turfed off not sure if it was for holiday season or forever. They don't have the bat cave section anymore and I feel like a lot was taken out. Still a nice place to see sea life you would never see otherwise. Tons of different kind of seahorses that were so unique. read more

It's a small place but the kids had a great time. Touching the sting rays and the moon jellyfish were the highlights along with the big fish tank with the shark. The sear turtle seemed sick and wasn't swimming. Overall it's a maybe 2 hour excursion for people with kids but it's worth the 2 hours to keep em busy. read more

The Florida Aquarium - Big ugly fish staring at you - Aquariums Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Had a fun day out with my nephews and we popped over to the aquarium. At first I was a little skeptical because of the prices. Coming from DC where there is no cost or low cost to major museums, it's expensive to spend over $150 for 4 for a museum or aquarium. But when you got there and see the great work they are doing and how they respect and take care of our planet, it mostly makes it worth it. The kids truly loved the experience. We loved the shark tank area the best. Loved that there were many photo opportunities along the way. Loved the skull ranger tour. We wish they had more trail talks in the different areas around the aquarium. That was a really nice interactive area. The kids learned a lot. It's a self guided tour around the aquarium and I wish they had more videos, interactive areas or tutorials for young kids throughout. read more

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What a hidden gem in the heart of Tampa! The Florida Aquarium is not just another place with fish tanks. It feels like stepping into an underwater adventure where every turn brings a new wow moment. First off, the place is spotless and so well kept. You can tell the animals here are happy campers. Whether they are swimmers, flyers, or crawlers, they all look healthy and lively. Unlike other aquariums we have visited, these animals are not just floating around looking bored. They are busy socializing, playing, and living their best lives. My family and I kept pointing out how alive and interactive everything felt. The highlight for us was feeding the roseate spoonbills and ibis birds with our guide, Susie. Shout out to her because she was absolutely amazing. She called it an "immersive experience" and she was not kidding. Imagine exotic birds walking right up to you for snacks. We could not stop smiling. Then came the fish! I had never been that close to Red Drum, Snook, Red Grouper, Lionfish, and Sheepshead fish before. The way the aquarium is designed makes you feel like you are face to face with creatures you would normally only catch a glimpse of in the wild. And let's not forget the otters who were absolutely adorable, the alligator snapping turtles that gave off prehistoric vibes, and the sharks and barracudas that looked both majestic and powerful. Every exhibit pulls you in and makes you feel like part of the scene. All in all, this aquarium is so much more than a rainy day activity. It is a family adventure waiting to happen. If you are in Tampa and miss this place, you are missing out big time. read more

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We absolutely love this aquarium! It's so fun and so clean and there's so much to see. We truly can spend hours here as a family. Also a huge shout out to Emily who works there for being so kind and engaging! We saw her at multiple exhibits around and she remembered us each time and would chat with us and tell us fun facts and she was just the absolute best. read more

One of the best aquariums we have visited. Staff were very pleasant and knowledgeable. Grandkids had a blast.

I've been to several aquariums.. and this one in Tampa is pretty good. It's quite expensive for how big it is ($42 for adults). There is a lot to see and the layout is good. Saw some things here that we haven't seen at other places (different kinds of jellyfish). You can "pet" the stingrays and also hold a jellyfish here. We opted for valet parking - $20 for 3 hours. $40 for 3+ hours. read more

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Staff is super friendly. Animals are all well taken care of. Lots of cool exhibits. Some of the extra stuff is expensive but otherwise great

I really the aquarium I'm actually a member. My 7 year old daughter loves it and now I have a 6 month old and it's perfect for her growing mind. And especially in the hot weather it's really great to go somewhere fun and enjoyable for everyone in AC! And then outside they have a playground and splash pad so I love that. I do feel like if you are a member we should receive free parking . Or maybe every 3 months or so give free guest ticket to members so we can bring an additional person or half off ., some sort of better perks. read more

Went with daughter & 5 kids (8 mos-2-8-9-11). SUCH fun!!! Some crowded areas. Sometimes challenging maneuvering w/ stroller, but SO worth it!! Save time for treats in outdoor play area!! read more

No parking, overcrowded, overpriced Dangerous- can't figure out the exits! Lines at every elevator... ugh can barely squeeze in to see the sting rays So crowded that we lost one of the 5 grandchildren- the best part of the day was how quickly they helped us locate him- kudos to the staff! read more

A wonderful experience of what's in the sea and land creatures. Very well for your money and some interactions that make your experience worth while. read more

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