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Aquariums

The Florida Aquarium

πŸ“ Tampa, TX

β˜…4.5(20,663 Google reviews)πŸ’°$30-$35πŸ‘ΆAll ages

Tampa Bay aquarium featuring the Heart of the Sea sea turtle habitat, Coral Reef shark and stingray displays, interactive touch tanks, and add-on animal encounters including penguins, sloths, and stingray feeding.

βœ“ Touch tanksβœ“ Penguin encountersβœ“ Sea turtlesβœ“ Outdoor play areaβœ“ Clean exhibitsβœ“ Pre-book tickets
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β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…Featured review by Sean Fee

We’ve visited the Florida Aquarium with our family many times over the years, and it’s always a great experience for all ages. They’ve continued to add new sections and exhibits, which keeps each visit feeling fresh and interesting. The facility is consistently clean, the staff is friendly and helpful, and there’s plenty to see whether you’re going for a quick visit or spending most of the day there. Sometimes it can get pretty busy, but other times it feels surprisingly calm and easy to explore. It’s definitely worth checking out at least once, but there’s enough variety to make repeat visits enjoyable too. The location is also convenient β€” it’s very close to Sparkman Wharf, with plenty of parking nearby, which makes it easy to turn the trip into a full day out.

πŸ† Family Action Verdict

Best for families with children from toddlers through teens who want a mix of passive exhibits and hands-on encounters. The touch tanks and outdoor play courtyard keep younger children engaged. The penguin and sloth encounters are premium add-ons worth considering for older kids. Pre-purchase tickets online and allow 2-4 hours.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

πŸ’‘Pre-purchase tickets online to skip the entrance queue
⏰Allow 2-4 hours for a comfortable full visit
🎟️Arrive early to sidestep cruise ship traffic congestion near the port
πŸš—The outdoor courtyard play area adds extra time for younger children

πŸ’¬ What Families Are Saying

View all reviews β†’
4.5
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20,663 Google reviews

Family-friendly for all ages35%
Clean, well-maintained exhibits30%
Hands-on interactive experiences25%
Expensive admission and food10%
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Sean Fee

a month ago

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β€œWe’ve visited the Florida Aquarium with our family many times over the years, and it’s always a great experience for all ages. They’ve continued to add new sections and exhibits, which keeps each visit feeling fresh and interesting. The facility is consistently clean, the staff is friendly and helpful, and there’s plenty to see whether you’re going for a quick visit or spending most of the day there. Sometimes it can get pretty busy, but other times it feels surprisingly calm and easy to explore. It’s definitely worth checking out at least once, but there’s enough variety to make repeat visits enjoyable too. The location is also convenient β€” it’s very close to Sparkman Wharf, with plenty of parking nearby, which makes it easy to turn the trip into a full day out.”

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Thaidiva0814

2 months ago

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β€œThis is the 2nd time I have visited the aquarium & it doesn't disappoint. Nestled directly next to the Tampa cruise ship ports, the parking can be tricky. It's very busy in the area. Entrance was a breeze since our tickets were pre-purchased. We visited after Christmas do there were still Christmas decorations up & they were beautiful. Plenty of animals in & out of water to view. Employees were very informative when asked questions about the animals. We spent about 4 hours touring the entire aquarium, quietly strolling around. We had lunch at the food court which in my opinion was overpriced, but aren't they usually in an establishment like this. Needless to say it still was good & we enjoyed it. I would definitely return.”

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Nancy Russ

3 months ago

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β€œThis was my first time in years being at the aquarium. The staff were great, very friendly and helpful. The exhibits were awesome, well kept, educational and beautiful! My daughter and her friends had a blast, especially at the hands on exhibits. They even have a nice outdoor courtyard with a play area for the younger kids. Great place to go with the family or just on your own.”

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Ziggy Labor

a month ago

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β€œI haven't brought my family here in years. The Aquarium has definitely grown and is continuing to grow. My kids are 21 and 17, I'm 43 and my wife is 42 and we got so much enjoyment out of being there. We look forward to going back.”

Reviews from Google

Overview

The Florida Aquarium spans multiple themed habitats including Heart of the Sea with sea turtles and tropical fish, Coral Reefs with sharks and stingrays, and hands-on touch tanks. Paid encounter add-ons include penguin meet-and-greets, stingray feeding, sloth experiences, and VR diving. An outdoor courtyard with a play area rounds out the visit for younger children. The aquarium sits adjacent to Tampa's cruise ship ports.

πŸ• Opening Hours

Monday09:00 – 17:00
Tuesday10:00 – 16:00
Wednesday10:00 – 16:00
Thursday10:00 – 16:00
Friday10:00 – 16:00
Saturday09:00 – 17:00
Sunday09:00 – 17:00

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