The Aquatarium

The Aquatarium was a marine amusement park in St. Pete Beach with a massive circular tank as its centerpiece. The basin held millions of gallons of seawater and housed various marine animals for public viewing and shows.

The park opened in 1964 as a new attraction for families visiting Florida's coast. It closed in 1977 when visitor patterns shifted and keeping the facility open became economically unfeasible.

The facility showcased daily performances by trained dolphins and sea lions that visitors could watch up close. These marine animal shows were a central part of how people experienced and enjoyed their time at the park.

The facility sat on a large plot between two main streets in the area and was straightforward to access. It was designed for day visits, with clear viewing areas for the main tank and the various animal enclosures.

A dolphin named Floppy became well known for performing remarkable jumps that carried it several meters above the water. These acrobatic displays were one of the highlights of the daily shows and drew regular crowds.