The Florida Aquarium Celebrates 30 Years with $30 Anniversary Tickets

March 19, 2025

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TAMPA, FL (March 15, 2025) – The Florida Aquarium is celebrating a milestone 30th anniversary this month, marking three decades of marine conservation, education, and unforgettable guest experiences.

$30 Tickets to Celebrate 30 Years

As a thank you to the Tampa Bay community for its continued support, The Florida Aquarium with presenting sponsor Ferman Automotive Group, is offering $30 general admission tickets to residents of Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties throughout March—perfect for a Spring Break visit! Tickets must be reserved at least 24 hours in advance and purchased here.

“When we opened our doors in 1995, The Florida Aquarium transformed downtown Tampa and the Tampa Bay region and became a catalyst for the billion-dollar revitalization we are experiencing today,” said Roger Germann, President & CEO of The Florida Aquarium. “Our founders Bill Crown, Jim Ferman, Dick Beard, Tom Hall, and other business and community leaders, along with Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman, recognized what our community needed to become a world-class city and region, and 30 years later, The Florida Aquarium is fulfilling their vision. Today, we are proud to be Tampa Bay’s premier public aquarium, conservation trailblazer, education leader, economic driver, and community partner.”

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VIDEO AND PHOTOS OF THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

+ SOUND WITH CEO ROGER GERMANN

30 Years of Making Waves

Since its grand opening on March 31, 1995, The Florida Aquarium has played an important part in transforming downtown Tampa. It started with a $60 million economic boost to the area and has continued to grow, now generating an estimated $275 million annual impact. Along the way, the Aquarium has reached some incredible milestones:

• 1997: Earned accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and has proudly maintained it ever since.
• 2006: Welcomed African penguins, instantly becoming a guest favorite.
• 2010: Reached one million students through educational outreach programs—today, that number has doubled.
• 2015: Established the first coral conservation facility in Apollo Beach, increasing coral reproduction rates, advancing coral health and helping restore the Florida Reef.
• 2019: Opened the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center, strengthening efforts to rescue and rehabilitate endangered species.
• 2023: Welcomed one million guests in a single year for the first time—and did it again in 2024.
• 2024: Opened the Coral Conservation and Research Center, nearly doubling the size of the existing space—a pivotal step for the Aquarium’s acclaimed coral reproduction and restoration work.

Exciting Future Ahead

As part of its current $45 million expansion, the next decade promises even more groundbreaking developments, including the highly anticipated exhibit featuring animals from the rugged coastline later this summer, the arrival of puffins in 2026, and California sea lions in 2027—a first for the west coast of Florida. The Aquarium also plans to expand its penguin colony, further solidifying its role as a leader in marine education and conservation.

“When I joined The Florida Aquarium in 2017, we set out to create the world’s greatest aquarium,” Germann said. “As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, I believe we are well on our way to achieving that goal on a global scale. From expanding our conservation efforts to welcoming new, exciting exhibits, we continue to push the boundaries of what an aquarium can be. It’s been an amazing 30 years, and we’re just getting started.”

For more information about The Florida Aquarium’s 30th anniversary celebrations, visit flaquarium.org.