Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure? Look no further than The Florida Aquarium, located in the heart of Tampa. This top rated destination offers a unique and immersive experience for visitors of all ages, and it is an easy day trip from our Clearwater Beach vacation rentals.
Whether you’re a marine enthusiast, an animal lover, or just looking for a fun activity for the whole family, The Florida Aquarium has something for everyone. It sits on the Channelside waterfront in downtown Tampa, about 26 miles from Pier 60, which is roughly 45 minutes by car outside rush hour.
It also makes a perfect rainy day or too much sun day plan. Most of the aquarium is indoors and air conditioned, and you can see the highlights in three to four hours, which leaves time to be back on the beach for sunset.
| Address | 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9 am to 5 pm daily |
| Tickets | Prices vary by date; children 2 and under are free; buy online |
| From Clearwater Beach | About 26 miles, roughly 45 minutes by car |
| Phone | 813-273-4000 |
About The Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium opened its doors in 1995 with a mission to entertain, educate, and inspire visitors. Its roots are closer to us than most people realize: the organization began in 1977 as the Clearwater Marine Science Center, right here on Clearwater Beach, before the Tampa aquarium opened on March 31, 1995.
Today its galleries move from local Florida habitats such as wetlands, mangroves and coral reefs out to ecosystems from around the world.
The Coral Reefs habitat and sharks
One of the most popular attractions is the large shark and reef habitat. The Coral Reefs gallery holds more than 500,000 gallons of water, and visitors can watch sand tiger sharks glide past alongside sea turtles, southern stingrays and huge schools of reef fish. A wide viewing window lets you sit and watch for as long as you like, and kids tend to stay glued to the glass.
If you want to get even closer, the aquarium offers SeaTREK, an experience where you walk underwater inside its Heart of the Sea habitat. It is a separate paid add on, so check age limits and availability before you go.
Good to know: Older guides list this tank at 200,000 gallons. The aquarium now describes its Coral Reefs habitat as holding more than 500,000 gallons. The Florida Aquarium.
Stingrays, penguins and tide pools
There’s also a touch habitat where you can interact with stingrays. At Stingray Beach you can reach in and gently touch the rays as they glide by, and scheduled Stingray Feeding sessions let you feed them for an extra fee. The Tide Pool, added in 2025, is another hands on stop where staff explain the small creatures that live along Florida’s shoreline.
Stop by to see the African penguins, too. The aquarium’s Penguin Encounter lets you meet one of its penguins up close, and it is worth reserving ahead. Other galleries worth seeking out include Moon Bay, a jellyfish gallery opened in 2019, and MORPH’D, which opened in 2023.
Things to do beyond the galleries
From animal encounters to behind the scenes experiences, there are plenty of things to do at The Florida Aquarium. Encounters change through the year, so the best approach is to look at the experiences on the aquarium’s website when you pick your date and book anything you really want to do at the same time as your tickets.
For something on the water, try the Wild Dolphin Cruise. It sails from the aquarium on the Bay Spirit II, a 72 foot catamaran, into Tampa Bay to look for wild bottlenose dolphins and other wildlife. Cruises run on weekdays at 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm, and they cost $17 for adults and $15 for children on top of aquarium admission. Wild Dolphin Cruise.
If you’re visiting with kids, note that the outdoor Splash Pad and playground are closed while the aquarium builds its Sea Change expansion. The aquarium also runs camps and education programs, so ask at the entrance what is on during your visit.
What is coming next
The Sea Change project will add new outdoor habitats. According to the aquarium, puffins are expected in late 2027, followed by sea lions and a new African penguin habitat in late 2028. If you are planning a return trip, it is a good reason to come back. Sea Change.
Planning your visit
The aquarium is open 9 am to 5 pm every day. Tickets are sold online with prices that vary by date, so buying ahead usually pays off and helps on busy weekends and school holidays. Child tickets cover ages 3 to 11, and children 2 and under get in free. If you plan to do several Tampa Bay attractions, the aquarium is also included in the Tampa CityPASS. Tickets.
For parking, the aquarium points visitors to the Channelside Garage at 369 South 12th Street, the city lot at 864 Channelside Drive and the Cumberland Garage nearby. Valet is also available at the entrance, at $20 for up to three hours or $40 for longer. Parking.
From Clearwater Beach, the drive is about 26 miles. We suggest leaving after the morning rush, around 9 am, so you arrive close to opening when the galleries are at their quietest.
Make a weekend of it: if you have a second day for Tampa, see our guide to spending a day at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Closer to home, you can also meet rescued dolphins and sea turtles at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Island Estates, just a few minutes from the beach. Doing both makes a great pair for animal loving families: one is about big habitats and conservation science, the other about rescue and rehabilitation. For more ideas, see our things to do in Clearwater Beach guide.
Stay with Sunny Orange Stays
When it comes to planning your trip to Tampa, finding the right vacation rental can make all the difference. Sunny Orange Stays offers a variety of vacation rentals in Clearwater Beach, less than an hour away from The Florida Aquarium, so you get beach mornings and an easy drive for your day trip.
Our vacation rentals provide a comfortable and convenient home base for your Tampa adventures, with amenities such as private pools and hot tubs. Here are three that families love. Coastal Breeze has four bedrooms, sleeps eight and has a large private pool, about a four minute walk to the beach. Ultimate Island Getaway sleeps ten in four bedrooms and has a heated pool with a jacuzzi. Island Time is our big group home, sleeping 16 near the uncrowded North Beach sands.
At Sunny Orange Stays, we understand that planning a vacation can be overwhelming. That’s why we provide the highest level of customer service and support to help you find the perfect vacation rental.
Coastal Breeze
Ultimate Island Getaway
Island Time
Questions we get asked
How far is The Florida Aquarium from Clearwater Beach?
About 26 miles by road, which is roughly 45 minutes by car outside rush hour.
What are The Florida Aquarium’s hours?
It is open 9 am to 5 pm daily. Check the aquarium’s website for any holiday changes before you go.
How much are tickets?
Prices vary by date and are sold online. Child tickets are for ages 3 to 11, and children 2 and under are free.
Can you see dolphins at The Florida Aquarium?
Yes, on the Wild Dolphin Cruise, which looks for wild dolphins in Tampa Bay on weekdays at 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm for $17 per adult and $15 per child plus admission.
Let’s plan it
Plan Your Tampa Day Trip
Spend the day with sharks, stingrays and penguins, then come home to the Gulf. Find your Clearwater Beach base for the trip.
See you on the sand.