Thank you for joining us on a Wild Dolphin Cruise! Please use the "Other dates" and "Other times" buttons to select your preferred cruise.
You MUST purchase an Aquarium general admission ticket for the same date as your Wild Dolphin Cruise. Tickets may be purchased here. We look forward to your visit!
Ticket limits are based on your membership level. If you reach your ticket limit when adding children 2 and under, do not include them in your reservation; they can be added upon arrival.
Parents' Night Out | 5:30 PM -10:00 PM
Parents, enjoy a night out while your kids have fun at The Florida Aquarium! Kids will enjoy games; make new friends, snack on pizza and much more.
- Kids aged 5 -12 will enjoy various activities, dinner, and a fun time at the aquarium.
- Please meet at 5:30pm outside of the Business Entrance of The Florida Aquarium.
- This program takes place monthly!
- Registration is required.
Please Note:
- Ticket sales will close 48 hours before the event.
- To ensure the best experience for all participants, entry will not be permitted after 7 PM.
- The latest pickup time is 10 PM. After this time, the Florida Aquarium reserves the right to apply a fee of $5 per minute until your child is signed out.
Cancellation Policy:
- The Florida Aquarium reserves the right to cancel any Parents' Night Out program due to low registration.
- Cancellations by guests received 3 business days before the start date of the Parent’s Night Out session will result in a full refund.
- Cancellations by guests made 2 business days or less before the start date of the Parent’s Night Out session will not be refunded
Bringing extra friends or family who aren’t covered by your membership? Guest tickets are $10 per person. Pre-purchase below to skip the line. Tickets will also be available at the event.
Sea Squirts: Early Learning Adventures for Ages 3–5
Splash into a world of wonder with Sea Squirts, a playful early-learning program where young children explore the wonder of the ocean and the animals that call it home! Each month brings a brand-new ocean-themed class where children explore, discover, and learn in a classroom-style setting that your child will be excited to dive into.
Sea Squirts makes learning feel like an ocean of fun. Through hands-on activities, interactive games, and joyful exploration, your child will:
- Practice shapes, colors, and letters
- Build fine and gross motor skills through creative play
- Count and identify numbers with fun, themed challenges
- Strengthen listening and social skills in group activities
- Compare and contrast using real-world examples and imaginative play
Classes take place on the first Saturday (member morning) of each month from 9:30 – 10:30. We look forward to sea-ing you soon!
*Pricing does not include Aquarium admission. Sea Squirts programs are designed as a special time between child(ren) ages 3-5 and their adult. Siblings outside of the designated 3-5 age range may attend at an additional cost of $5 during registration. One parent accommodating two registered children within the Sea Squirts parameters (ex: twins, multiple children ages 3-5, etc.) should register as two participants.
Hang Out with a Two-Toed Sloth
Get up close and personal with one of our most elusive animal ambassadors during this unforgettable animal encounter!
Join our sloth handlers as they share fun facts and insights into the life and habitat of these curious creatures while our leisurely Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth snacks in the sun.
Then, take the snacking into your own hands — literally — as you get a chance to feed one of our sloths and snap some photos of the action.
Program Details
· This 30-minute encounter occurs on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 11:30 AM.
· Maximum capacity of ten (10) guests.
· Guests must check in 10 minutes before start time.
· Must be 12 years of age or older, or 8 years or older if participating with an adult.
· We ask that you do not touch the sloths during your encounter.
· A general admission ticket must be purchased for each program participant for the date of your encounter.
Ahoy there, Mateys!
Come aboard our Bay Spirit II and sail with the Gasparilla pirate flotilla!
Join The Florida Aquarium on a swashbuckling adventure as part of the Gasparilla pirate flotilla. The Bay Spirit II, our 72’ catamaran, will travel across the waters of Hillsborough Bay to meet the Pirate Ship Jose Gaspar at Ballast Point and join the flotilla in this annual re-enactment of Tampa’s historic pirate invasion. From there, we'll journey among the colorful Gasparilla Flotilla into Seddon Channel (channel between Davis Island and Harbour Island); finally breaking away to Sparkman Channel to dock back at The Florida Aquarium.
All mates are expected to arrive at The Florida Aquarium at 9:00 a.m. Boarding and brunch will begin at 9:30 a.m. The Bay Spirit II will depart promptly at 10:00 a.m. to take our spot in the flotilla!
Ticket Includes:
Casual brunch consisting of an assortment of breakfast sandwiches and lunch sliders with accompanying sides.
Welcome mimosa and 3.5 hours of open bar.
Approximately 3 hours of sailing in the pirate flotilla with spectacular views of the invasion.
DJ entertainment and dancing.
Cruise Schedule:
- Arrival: 9:00 a.m.
- Boarding: 9:30 a.m.
- Departure: 10:00 a.m.
- Return: 1:00 p.m.
Dress Code:
Casual attire or pirate garb!
Parking:
Parking is available for purchase in the City of Tampa parking lot adjacent to The Florida Aquarium. Please allot extra time for street closures.
Refund Policy:
Tickets for this date are NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE. May not be combined with any other offer. No discounts, vouchers, certificates or comps of any kind may be used for this cruise.
*Please Note*
This is a bead free cruise experience. The Bay Spirit II will depart the flotilla before it heads to the Tampa Convention Center due to boat traffic and safety. The Florida Aquarium is a 15 minute walk to the downtown parade route and is located along the TECO Line Streetcar System route (http://tecolinestreetcar.org), which is free to ride.
Admission to the aquarium is NOT included with ticket purchase.
Experience the magic of coastal holiday traditions, winter’s beauty, and community connection. YuleTides is sure to be the perfect opportunity for families and friends to create new holiday traditions right here in Tampa. We invite students and guests to experience an unforgettable performance and enjoy exclusive ticket pricing for this festive event.
Please select your group's performance date, choose the quantity (up to 3 tickets), and proceed to checkout!
Ticket limits are based on your membership level. If you reach your ticket limit when adding children 2 and under, do not include them in your reservation; they can be added upon arrival.
Stingray Feeding Experience
Get closer than ever before: for the first time, you can get exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to a 50-minute, up-close-and-personal visit with the stingrays and learn exactly what they like to eat, how their food is prepared, and how their trainers work with them.
Not only will our educators teach your small group all about our cownose stingrays' lifestyle and habits, you'll get the opportunity to interact with these fascinating animals, help feed them, touch them, and even participate in a training session.
AquaEd Opportunities
Gather your family and friends for an exciting experience as we dive into the world of STEAM. Through a variety of programs, learn about Science topics, get inspired by new conservation-based Technology, explore Engineering, amaze yourself with Art projects, and test your Math skills.
- Sessions occur on select weekend days from either 10:30-11:30 or 1:30-2:30.
- Please meet at the experience check in location 10 minutes prior to the start of your session.
- All guests must be at least 5 years of age.
- Children between the ages of 5-12 must be accompanied by a paid adult.
- An advanced general admission or membership reservation MUST BE scheduled for each program participant for the date of your experience.
- Our goal is to provide the safest possible experience based on the most current guidelines, we will inform you if any of our programs will need to be altered or canceled.
*TICKETS ARE NOT FOR RESALE, NON-REFUNDABLE, AND NON- TRANSFERABLE. TICKETS MAY BE SURRENDERED FOR MISUSE. *
Day of Discovery
The Florida Aquarium, in partnership with the Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (C.A.R.D.) at the University of South Florida, is hosting a Day of Discovery from 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM on Sunday, August 10th.
A Day of Discovery provides an Aquarium experience specifically tailored for the enjoyment of individuals with sensory differences and their families. The entire campus will be open for exploring; including engaging touch habitats featuring moon jellies, stingrays, anemones and so much more!
The admission to Day of Discovery is only for families and children with sensory differences and/or accessibility challenges. Special effects, lights and music will be adapted for those with sensory differences. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets are non-transferrable.
Please select the appropriate number of tickets below and proceed to check out!
Please enter the number of guests below and click register. Fill in the boxes as accurately as possible for each participant so our team can gather all the appropriate gear for your SeaTREK experience. Guests who are registered should plan on meeting at the Guest Services desk at least 15 minutes before their scheduled program.
*IMPORTANT: A general admission ticket MUST BE purchased for each program participant for the date of your encounter program.*
Sea you soon!
A 45-minute interactive experience that provides exclusive access to one of The Florida Aquarium’s most popular species ambassadors. Go behind the scenes with our animal care professionals and learn what it takes to deliver the highest of animal welfare to our colony of African penguins. The program also focuses on species biology, natural history and, most importantly, critical conservation efforts to help save the endangered African penguin.
Program Details:
- Program begins at 1:30 PM on select days
- Guests must check in a minimum of 15 minutes before the experience start time
- Must be at least 8 years of age
- Children between the ages of 8-12 must be accompanied by a paid adult
- Maximum capacity of eight (8) people per experience
*IMPORTANT: A general admission ticket MUST BE purchased for each program participant for the date of your encounter program.*
Please make the appropriate selections below. When checking out, please enter in the correct employee information for payment verification. Thanks!