Shark Attacks at the
Florida Aquarium in Tampa?

The Tampa aquarium, more broadly named the Florida Aquarium is one of the most popular Tampa attractions. 

It was awarded the 2006 best aquarium in Florida by the readers of
Florida Monthly. 

It’s location on Channelside Dr. right next to the Channelside complex and Tampa cruise terminals make it a popular spot for cruise passengers before departing. 

The signature glass architecture of the aquarium make it a very difficult spot to miss. 

The Florida Aquarium has over 152,000 square foot and contains over 10,000 aquatic plants and animals, with 1,350 different species. 

Within the aquarium they have daily dive shows, up close animal encounter shows, and two touch tanks.

When you enter the Tampa aquarium the exhibits are designed to take you along to follow a drop of water that flows from the underground all the way to the sea.  Each exhibit displays animals from each habitat along the way. 

The main galleries in which the water drop flows are the Wetlands, Bays and Beaches, Coral Reefs, and the SeaHunt gallery. 

I had an annual pass a couple years ago when I first moved down here and I really enjoyed it attending about 6 or 7 times that year.  It was well worth the price. 

I will get into the advantages of the annual membership later. 

I must inform you that it is possible to fly through the entire aquarium in 1-2 hours. 

This is if you really don’t take the time to read the information on the signs or take advantage of the shows. 

However, if you attend the various animal and dive shows and spend some time in the newly created children’s waterpark, Explore A Shore you could spend anywhere from 3 to 5 hours there.

Penguin Promenade

One of the newest and most exciting additions to the Florida Aquarium is the arrival of Rocky and Shelly, a pair of Black-Footed African Penguins. 

They appear in the lobby every day at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. as part of the Penguin Promenade.  

Here is a tip that you will thank me for. 

Get there early! 

I would say be in the area at least 20 – 30 minutes before the show starts.  

If you get there too late it will be difficult to get a seat and be able to see. 

I am speaking from experience. 

I recently attended the aquarium and thought that I would stroll to the Penguin encounter show 10 minutes early to get a good seat.

Hey, I thought 10 minutes would be plenty early. However, when we got there…

Standing room only!

Of course it didn’t help any that we were at the Tampa aquarium on Labor Day.

One of my favorite animals in the aquarium has to be the HUGE and I do mean HUGE Goliath Grouper.  This is a fish, not a shark or a whale, but a FISH that weighs in at close to 200 lbs! 

It just blew my mind looking at the size of this fish.

Shark Attacks

Also be sure to check out the excellent Shark Bay exhibit to see some of the fearless shark species from around the world.  

In this exhibit are nurse sharks, tiger sharks, black tip reef sharks, and zebra sharks. 

The aquarium actually has a program that allows you to swim with the sharks as they swarm about you in the tank if you have the guts. 

I'm just kidding with you.  It really is not dangerous.
Contrary to the title of this article there are no shark attacks.

The reason that the aquarium designed the Dive with the Sharks program is to dispel the myth that sharks are man-eaters.  In order to participate in this program you must be at least 15 years old and be a certified scuba diver. 

However, if you prefer to watch sharks play while you are outside the tank then you can observe them at the Sharks! From Fear to Fascination! show.

This demonstration portrays professional divers from the aquarium as they swim inside the tank with the sharks while talking to the crowd.

The Florida Aquarium also has a program in which you can Swim with the Fishes in the Coral Reef exhibit.

This program is a good alternative for the less courageous and for people that are not certified scuba divers, since this is not a requirement for this program.

Florida Aquarium Water Park

The most popular attraction at the aquarium for children by far is the newly formed outdoor waterpark, Explore A Shore. 

Here you will find a variety of water spouts, slides and playground-like equipment for children to play on.  They have equipment for all ages. 

My one year old was even able to play in the park with my wife standing next to her. 

She tends to be a little prissy though and did not seem to be too fond of having water splash all over her. 

But all of the other kids were having a blast.

For the older kids they have slides and a large pirate ship to climb and play on.  On another side of the park is where the children are able to spray each other with water from the water jets in the area.

The cost for the Florida Aquarium is $17.95 for adults and $12.95 for children 3 – 12.  There is no charge for children 2 and under. 

Initially, I felt that the admission price seemed a little steep. 

However, when you take into account the shows, touch tanks, and the outdoor water park I would definitely have to say that it is worth the price. 

Annual Membership

You should strongly consider the yearly membership.  With this you are able to attend the aquarium all year for one price. 

Also you receive free parking with your membership.  Other membership perks include participation in the SHARE program. 

This program alone makes the annual admission well worth the price.  The SHARE program allows you to get free or discounted admission to over 25 Florida attractions.

Believe me, when I had my annual pass I really took advantage of the SHARE program.  In fact I know that we saved over $150 just taking advantage of this program alone. 

So there is my two cents.  The Florida Aquarium is one of the best attractions in Tampa.  Be sure to check it out.

If you want to see Florida wildlife in its natural habitat the aquarium offers an eco-tour sightseeing cruise that tours the Tampa Bay area.

The Tampa aquarium is not as large as some of the other major aquariums in the country such as the Georgia Aquarium or the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.  However, it is a wonderful place and is well worth a visit.

Related Topics:

• MOSI Tampa Science Museum
• Tampa Lowry Park Zoo
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Return from Florida Aquarium to Tampa Attractions