The Ultimate Spring Break ’26 Staycation at The Florida Aquarium

March 5, 2026

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No need to pack bags or worry about flights this spring break. Families can enjoy a week of adventure, discovery, and up-close animal encounters in downtown Tampa at The Florida Aquarium. From March 14–22, the Aquarium will extend its hours and feature an expanded lineup of interactive programs, live music, and hands-on activities for all ages.

Extended Hours – More Time to Explore
To give guests more time to experience it all, the Aquarium will be open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily, except March 17 (9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.). More time means more animals, more shows, and more memorable moments.

Up-Close Animal Encounters
Meet some of the Aquarium’s most popular residents face-to-face. From Cayenne the tamandua to playful African penguins and Salvator the Asian water monitor lizard, animal ambassadors will be out and about throughout the week for special pop-up encounters and photo opportunities.

Live Music: AquaTunes Spring Tunes
Spring Break gets even more festive with live AquaTunes performances on the outdoor lawn. Guests can enjoy family-friendly favorite songs with several performances scheduled daily from March16-22.

Delicious Specials at Café Seventy One
From March 13–April 12, Spring Break brings bold bites and sweet treats to The Florida Aquarium. New to the menu, guests can enjoy a Traditional Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich with shaved rib-eye, cheese sauce, peppers and onions on a warm roll at the Chef’s Tent, then dive into something sweet with the Waves of Wonder Waffle Sundae — hand-dipped waffles topped with sprinkles, gummy sharks, and chocolate-vanilla twist ice cream.

AquaEd: Squid Dissection
Saturday & Sunday, March 14 & 15 | 10:30–11:30 a.m. & 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Even during spring break, learning comes alive at the Aquarium. This hands-on AquaEd experience gives guests the chance to explore marine science and discover the workings of an amazing aquatic creature during guided squid dissection led by Aquarium educators.

AquaCamp: Habitat Explorers & Animal Groups
For families looking for a full-day option, AquaCamp: Habitat Explorers runs March 16–20 (Monday–Friday) and Animal Groups on March 23. Both camps run 9 a.m.–4 p.m. with free extended care from 8-9 a.m. and 4-5 p.m. Designed for children ages 5–11 (grades K–5), campers will experience animal encounters, arts and crafts, science experiments, tours of the Aquarium, and interactive conservation activities.

Special Encounters & Add-On Adventures
Guests can elevate their visit with unforgettable add-on adventures, including:

• SeaTREK: A guided underwater walking tour – offered multiple times a day during Spring Break
• Wild Dolphin Cruise: Available at 1:00, 2:30, and *4:00 p.m. (*new departure time)
• Penguin Encounter: A 45-minute interactive experience with African Penguins
• Stingray Feeding Experience: Get closer to cownose stingrays than ever before
• Sloth Encounter: Hang out and feed a two-toed sloth
• Undersea Explorer Virtual Reality Experience: This Virtual Reality (VR) experience lets you dive into breathtaking underwater worlds without ever leaving the Aquarium

Hands-On Exploration
Guests can connect directly with marine life at Moon Bay, Stingray Beach, and The Tide Pool, the Aquarium’s newest cold-water touch habitat. Recently ranked among the Top 5 Best New Attractions in the U.S., The Tide Pool features 350+ marine invertebrates, including colorful anemones and sea stars, offering a truly immersive experience.

Media Opportunities
Members of the media are invited to capture the excitement of Spring Break at The Florida Aquarium firsthand with opportunities to feed a sloth, touch a stingray, or get up close with penguins. To schedule a visit, please email Ke****@********CG.com or call (813) 944-9510.

Spring Break is one of the Aquarium’s most popular weeks of the year, so guests are encouraged to get tickets and make plans now by visiting flaquarium.org.

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Courtesy: The Florida Aquarium