Florida’s aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems are diverse and vibrant, and no where lets you get as up close and personal with them as the Florida Aquarium. Dedicated to protecting the coral reefs, sea turtles and sharks in the Tampa Bay, Gulf of Mexico, Florida Keys and Cuba since 1995, the Florida museum has poured its heart and soul into creating an interactive and engaging platform to reach out to the public and educate them about the importance of taking care of the animals that swim in our seas.

7,000 animals and plants are given a safe home here, some of which have been rescued from treacherous situations. Ranked by Trip Advisor as the top 10 aquariums in the USA, the range of habitats is spectacular.

Following the journey of a single drop of water than flows from Florida’s freshwater springs to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the landscape and wildlife is ever changing. Hike through wet lands where alligators, otters, pythons and birds are free to roam, or explore the coral reefs where octopi, sea turtles and stingray explore the ocean floor. You can even touch the stingray, which are surprisingly silky soft! Journey to Madagascar, where lemurs, chameleons, geckos and a tree chock a block with hissing cockroaches resides. A 300-pound Goliath grouper dominates the bays and beaches exhibit, and finally in the no backbone zone anemones, sea cucumbers and multicolour patterned sea stars have a fascinating world of their own.