St. Augustine Aquarium, Public aquarium in St. Augustine, Florida.
St. Augustine Aquarium is a public aquarium at 2045 State Road 16 in St. Augustine, Florida, founded by Shawn and Kathy Hiester and opened in 2016. Its centerpiece is an 80,000-gallon open-air Snorkel Adventure tank holding over 100 species of Florida and Caribbean fish, including queen angelfish and cownose rays. The site also houses over 250 animals.
The aquarium opened in 2016 and is located on a large property along State Road 16. The original plans for a different location were changed before the facility was built.
The place showcases the marine life that surrounds the local coast and helps visitors understand the ocean world beyond the beaches. You can see the same fish species that inhabit the natural reefs in nearby waters.
The aquarium sits off State Road 16 at 2045 FL-16, outside the downtown historic district, so arriving by car is the straightforward option. The five-acre site was bought in late 2014 and built from scratch, with parking on the grounds. The outdoor snorkel tank opened in December 2016; indoor exhibits were still in design and permitting, so check what is open before setting out.
Visitors aged four and up can snorkel directly in the outdoor tank and experience the fish up close. This offers a rare chance to interact with native marine life without traveling to a natural reef.
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