The Florida Aquarium – an overview - Orlando / Florida Guide
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The Florida Aquarium was established in 1995, covers over 200, 000 square feet and is rated as one of the top ten aquariums in the United States.
The Aquarium has 4 main galleries; -
The Wetlands
Here you can follow the story of a drop of water as it starts life in the subterranean layers and makes its way to the ocean. This gallery also features free flying birds, river otters and the almost ubiquitous alligators! A climb to the top of the dome brings you to Aquariumania; an exhibit dedicated to home aquariums where you can even set up your own ‘virtual’ saltwater aquarium.
Bays and Beaches
Bonnethead sharks, snook and southern stingrays are amongst the Bay inhabitants featured in this gallery together with seahorse, spiny lobsters and over 20, 000 aquatic plants. The cross-section of a typical Floridian beach shows life above and below the shoreline.
The Coral Reef Gallery
This gallery simulates a 60-foot dive starting in shallow-water reefs and descending to deeper waters and is modelled on the coral formations of the Dry Tortugas (a National Park off the Florida Keys).
Here you can watch a kaleidoscope of colourful fish including squirrelfish, angelfish, and blue tang as they dart among sea fans, coral and sponges.
In the Reef Tunnel you walk under a virtual tunnel of water descending into an underwater coral cave filled with colourful fish such as angelfish, spotted moray eel, princess parrotfish.
The Coral Cave allows you to look into 5 tanks containing over 6, 100 gallons and peek at the inhabitants living in coral reef caverns and crevices. These include scorpion fish, soldier fish, nurse shark and royal gamma.
Ocean Commotion
This is the newest gallery and uses imaginative animation to educate as you meet Raldo, the intrepid reporter in the sea, who interviews Nakita the Octopus, Percula the Clown Fish, Tony the Rhinopias and Ninja the Mantis Shrimp to find out why they should win the coveted “Golden Gill” Award.
Other Activities.
Behind The Scenes Tour – for a minimal fee you van take the1-hour tour and learn how to prepare the food for the animals, check out the Aquarium' s signature dome, see the top of our largest tank along with the quarantine areas, and meet a special animal up-close.
Dive With The Sharks - Certified SCUBA divers 15-years or older can come face-to-face with live sharks as they splash down in Shark Bay and experience the perfect dive; warm clear water, teaming with sharks from around the world.
The Florida Aquarium is open daily : 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM and is situated at 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602 Phone: 813-273-4000. Entrance fees are ; -
Adults $19. 95, Seniors $16. 95, Under 12s $14. 95 and ender 2’s go free.
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