The Florida Aquarium

Adults and children alike love exploring this air-conditioned aquarium and learning more about the ocean’s ecosystem, especially through observing the aquarium’s centerpiece Coral Reef. Ticket prices include admission to the aquarium; the outdoor, 2-acre (0.81-hectare) splash pad with dump buckets and water sprayers; toddler area; and 4D theater.

There are Florida Aquarium tours that allow you to swim with sharks, fish, and eels, without needing a scuba certification. You can also go backstage with penguins or go on a dolphin cruise aboard the 72-foot (22-meter) Bay Spirit II catamaran. You can also arrange a shipwreck diving trip through the aquarium.

• The Florida Aquarium is ideal for marine wildlife lovers and families with children.

• Buy skip-the-line Florida Aquarium tickets in advance to save time at entry, and save money with a Tampa Bay CityPASS, which includes admission to other Tampa area attractions.

• For the kids, pack swimsuits or clothes that can get wet in the outside splash area.

• A limited number of wheelchairs, scooters, and single and double strollers are available for rent.

• The aquarium facility is wheelchair accessible. Guests wishing to take the dolphin cruise must be physically able to cross a 6-step gangplank with assistance.

The aquarium is located on the Ybor Channel of Tampa Bay, 10 minutes east of downtown Tampa and easily accessible from I-275. It’s a 5-minute walk from the Port Tampa Bay cruise terminal; if you are a cruise passenger, the aquarium will hold your luggage for you for free while you are at the facility.

The Florida Aquarium is open from 9:30am to 5pm daily, and is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. It tends to be more crowded on weekends and rainy days, so avoid the crowds by going during the week, earlier in the morning, or later in the day.

Proceeds from the purchase of a general admission ticket go toward the aquarium’s educational and environmental conservation programs. The Florida Aquarium is working on a Center for Conservation that will include a sea turtle hospital, coral ark and nursery, and shark and ray research center.

Park for $10 a day at the City of Tampa parking lot north of the Aquarium at Channelside Drive. Payment can be made at pay stations or via ParkMobile, Passport, or PaybyPhone apps. There are several other nearby paid parking garages, as well.

Yes. Online reservations with 30-minute time slots are required, though a small number are available at the box office. Advance entry tickets allow you to select your preferred time, and are cheaper than day-of tickets. While tickets are non-refundable, they can be exchanged for a different date and time.

Yes, you can bring backpacks into the Florida Aquarium. However, all bags are subject to a security search at the entrance. While there are no restrictions on size, there are also no lockers or luggage rooms for backpacks, so avoid bringing backpacks that are uncomfortable to carry.

While you can see just about everything at the Florida Aquarium in around two hours, you can also spend an entire day, especially if traveling with kids. Allow more time if you are joining special experiences, such as the 1-hour SeaTREK underwater experience and the 75-minute Wild Dolphin Cruise.

Most of the Florida Aquarium is indoors (with air conditioning), though a few areas are outside. Outdoor exhibits include the Penguin Pavilion, the summer-only Raptors! experience on the roof, and a splash pad and play area. The Wild Dolphin Cruise takes place on a boat that goes around Tampa Bay.

Yes. Cameras and video cameras are allowed at the Florida Aquarium for personal use. Commercial use of photos and footage requires permission from the Aquarium. A small underwater camera, without flash or strobe lights, is permitted for the SeaTREK underwater experience, unless the guide decides it's unsafe.