A premier Tampa attraction and one of the best aquariums in the country, The Florida Aquarium, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution astounds visitors with the beauty and fragility of our eco-system. The facility is home to more than 20,000 aquatic plants and animals from Florida and all over the world. The cornerstone of The Channel District, The Florida Aquarium's mission since opening in 1995 is to entertain, educate and inspire stewardship about our natural environment. It serves as a significant example of Florida's commitment to preserving native landscapes, ecosystems, historical and archaeological sites, and ethnic and cultural traditions representative of the diverse geography and cultural life unique to our state. Opening in March 1995, the Aquarium has provided cultural enrichment experiences to more than seven million visitors, including 100,000 school students and 1,000 teachers annually.
 The Florida Aquarium began with the development of the Clearwater Marine Science Center (CMSC), a private, non-profit educational organization located on Clearwater Beach and incorporated in 1977. In January 1986, after consultants from New England, National and Monterey Bay aquariums were brought in to advise the CMSC Board on expansion potential, the Board of Directors incorporated The Florida Aquarium as a separate 501 c (3) organization. The newly organized Florida Aquarium Board of Directors formally committed to building a public aquarium comparable to the finest in the nation, and contracted Joseph A. Wetzel Associates of Boston to provide conceptual designs of exhibits for the new facility.
The Florida Aquarium, Inc., was incorporated on December 12, 1986 as a separate not-for-profit organization. The newly organized Florida Aquarium Board of Directors formally committed to building a public aquarium comparable to the finest in the nation, and contracted Joseph A. Wetzel Associates of Boston to provide conceptual design of exhibits for a new facility. A market feasibility study was contracted, the architectural committee for the project moved forward to address building and space requirements and CMSC moved forward with additional land acquisition at the Island Estates site. The Florida Aquarium Board went public with plans, renderings and a scale model of the building and exhibit designs.
On March 31, 1995, The Florida Aquarium opened its doors to the public, serving one million residents of and visitors to the Tampa Bay area and bringing a positive economic impact of $60 million to the community in its first year of operation. In March 1997, the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) accredited The Florida Aquarium.
In 1997 with the addition of "Awes and Jaws," featuring sharks and rays from around the world and "Eeek! Creatures of the Deep," featuring deep-sea isopods. In 1998, a new 2,500 sq. ft. gallery was added to the permanent Wetlands area. The new "Wetlands Overlook" is designed to host changing animal displays and incorporates programming as well as exhibit space. The first exhibit in this new area, "Frights of the Forest," opened in July 1998 and was instrumental in significantly boosting attendance and membership. Visitation for July and August was 30% above projection and memberships grew from 7,500 to over 15,000 households. Also added in 1998 was 1,000 sq. ft. of new quarantine holding space for expansion of the collection to support new exhibits. In 1999, "Dragons Down Under," opened which features leafy and weedy sea dragons, seahorses, pipefish and trumpetfish. "No BoneZone" touch-tank exhibit of invertebrates opened in Summer 2000; "Sea Hunt" exhibit opened Summer 2001 which renovated existing pathways. The DolphinQuest eco-tour boat, "Bay Spirit" was christened March 27, 2001 and allows visitors to learn about the bay waters of Florida.
In 2002, an island restoration project was completed by removing non-Florida vegetation, adding a boat dock and educational pathways. It is called "Fantasy Island." Many programs and exhibits were expanded in 2002 including "New Neighbors" added to the existing "Dragons Down Under" exhibit; an educational program to dispel myths about predators, "Sharks! From Fear to Fascination."
In January 2003, the Aquarium's most exciting new program allows visitors to swim into the shark tank in the "Dive with the Sharks" program. Renovations for 2003 included a $1.3 million project, "Explore A Shore." This outdoor children's playground includes animal play sets, water canons, a pirate ship with climbing nets and the Tampa Tribune Cantina. The Caribbean-themed Cantina offers a full bar and grill amidst tiki huts and other relaxing areas for guests.
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