Florida Aquarium

The Florida Aquarium is a public aquarium in Tampa with several themed areas that recreate habitats from shallow waters to the open ocean. The facility includes a large coral reef tank where sharks, rays, sea turtles, and barracudas swim, along with sections featuring freshwater species and penguins.

The facility opened its doors in 1995 and grew into a center for coral restoration and species conservation in the southeastern US. Over the years, the aquarium expanded its conservation projects and joined regional initiatives to rescue endangered species.

The facility runs education programs about marine ecosystems through interactive displays, touch tanks, and sessions with ambassador animals.

The aquarium opens daily from mid-morning, and a full visit usually takes between two and three hours. Pathways lead through multiple levels, so comfortable shoes help, and benches along the route offer places to rest.

The facility offers a helmet dive experience called SeaTREK, where guests walk underwater with a special helmet and watch fish up close. In addition, the aquarium participates in rescue operations for stranded sea turtles along the Florida coast.

Location: Tampa

Inception: March 1995

Website: http://flaquarium.org

GPS coordinates: 27.94420,-82.44500

Latest update: December 23, 2025 07:57