The Florida Aquarium: Coral Reef Encounters & Wild Dolphin Winter Eco-Cruises
Anchoring Tampa's downtown Channelside district, The Florida Aquarium is consistently ranked among the top aquariums in North America.
Visit on your scheduleDec 1 – Feb 28 · 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM · Open daily 9:30 AM–5:00 PM; Dolphin Eco-Cruises depart multiple times daily (weather permitting); Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
The Florida Aquarium701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602 · 0.9 mi approx. from TampaDirections
All ages; fully accessible for strollers and wheelchairs; dedicated nursing pod on the second floor
From $34General admission: Adults $34–$39, Children (3–11) $29–$34, Children 2 & under Free (Plan-ahead pricing applies online). Dolphin Cruise combo add-on: $20 per person
About this adventure
Its iconic 83-foot glass dome houses a free-flying wetland habitat where roseate spoonbills, playful river otters, and alligators greet visitors. Journey through the 500,000-gallon Coral Reef Gallery with floor-to-ceiling underwater viewing windows showcasing sea turtles, sand tiger sharks, and vibrant tropical fish. Winter is peak season for The Florida Aquarium's Wild Dolphin Eco-Cruises, aboard the 72-foot Bay Spirit II catamaran, cruising into Tampa Bay to observe wild bottlenose dolphins, migrating seabirds, and manatees. Kids love the hands-on Stingray Beach touch tanks, the Moon Bay jellyfish habitat, and the outdoor The Splash Pad water adventure zone (heated during cooler winter days). Complete stroller accessibility, nursing stations, and harborfront dining make this an effortless family outing.
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