Dive into the New Tide Pool Exhibit at Tampa’s Florida Aquarium: A Unique Cold-Water Experience!
Tampa’s Florida Aquarium Unveils Immersive Tide Pool Exhibit
TAMPA — A new wave of excitement is washing over the Florida Aquarium with the grand opening of its Tide Pool exhibit on August 1. This immersive experience transports visitors to the chilly shores of the Pacific Northwest, complete with dim lighting and the soothing sounds of crashing waves.
The Tide Pool touch tank invites guests to engage directly with marine life, offering the chance to gently pet vibrant sea stars, colorful anemones, and even hold a hermit crab. The exhibit features a dynamic lighting system that changes every eight minutes, simulating the transition from sunrise to sunset in the Pacific Northwest.
While the creatures may resemble those found in Tampa Bay, the Tide Pool showcases a stunning array of cold-water species, including sea stars in shades of pink, beige, and spotted varieties, some boasting as many as 12 arms. The anemones are equally captivating, displaying a spectrum of greens and pinks adorned with white spots.
As the only cold-water touch tank on Florida’s west coast, the exhibit is part of the aquarium’s broader $45 million expansion project, celebrating its 30th anniversary. This year has already seen the opening of MORPH’D, a gallery dedicated to animal adaptation and camouflage, with more exciting developments on the horizon, including Florida’s first Pacific puffin habitat set to debut next year.
Throughout the day, aquarium caretakers will drop clams into the tank, allowing the sea stars to demonstrate their unique feeding habits. “In a world set in chilly 50-degree water, life moves slower,” noted Brett Durda, associate curator of exhibits. Guests are encouraged to limit their interactions to a gentle two-finger touch, ensuring the well-being of the more than 200 animals in the exhibit.
“This is a fully immersive gallery,” said Roger Germann, CEO of the Florida Aquarium. “From the moment you walk in, you are swept away to the Northwest.” He emphasized that while the aquarium is located in Florida, its mission is rooted in conservation.
Future phases of the expansion will introduce a state-of-the-art sea lion exhibit and an expanded habitat for African penguins, further enriching the aquarium’s narrative of ecosystem conservation. “We are trying to tell the ecosystem’s story,” Germann added, highlighting the aquarium’s commitment to animal welfare and education.
If You Go:
The Florida Aquarium requires timed tickets, available at flaquarium.org. Ticket prices vary by day and time, starting at $36.70 for adults and $31 for children ages 3-11. The aquarium is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Located at 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, for more information, call 813-273-4000 or visit flaquarium.org.