Field Trips
Opening Eyes to the World Outside
The Florida Aquarium is excited to offer a variety of small group programs to meet the needs of educators.
Planning Your Field Trip
With so much to sea and do, the team at The Florida Aquarium has put together this guide to help educators plan an Aquarium adventure that educates and entertains!
By predetermining a number of aspects of your field trip, we can work together to ensure students, teachers and chaperones alike have a seamless experience.
Let’s Start with the Basics!
Reservations are required!
School programs are available Monday–Friday, September through May.
Summer programming or weekend options may be available for select programs.
Self-Guided Admission Prices
| Ticket Category | General Ticket Only (All Student Groups) |
|---|---|
| Education Group | $10 |
| Title 1 Schools Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas Counties Only | $6 |
| Hillsborough County Head Start | Free: Mon-Thurs $6: Fri |
Field Trip Attendance
Group minimum is 10 students.
We do not have a maximum group size; however, we do have a daily field trip capacity. Large groups may be asked to visit over multiple days to meet these daily capacities.
Groups can bring lunches with them or preorder from the Aquarium. Groups are not permitted into Café Ray on their visit date to purchase lunch.
Chaperone Requirements
One chaperone is required for every ten students.
Groups will receive one complimentary adult/chaperone per five students.
Admission fees for any adult/chaperone above the 1:5 ratio is $26.
Make Waves: Add an Educational Program!
Enhance your field trip by adding an educational program. Learn more about these safe and exciting on-site opportunities by clicking the link below.
Dining Options
The Aquarium provides a picnic area, the Sea Star Pavilion, for lunch (available September-May). Schools may bring lunches or pre-order from Café Ray two weeks prior to visiting. All group lunches must be ordered in advance. Please contact (813) 367-4047 with any questions.
Lunch Order FormTransportation
Consider using our preferred education transportation partner ESCOT Bus Lines. Special rates for Hillsborough and Pinellas County are available by calling (727) 545-2088.
Visit ESCOT Bus LinesReady to Schedule Your Field Trip?
Make sure you have read all the information on this page before you begin! Request your visit by completing the online form. All field trip reservations must be requested using this form in advance. Please contact (813) 273-4015 with any questions.
Field Trip Request FormReservation Tips
- Please have two or three possible date options in the event that your first choice is not available.
- Consider scheduling a field trip between September and February, when daily attendance is lower. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays tend to have lower general attendance.
- Lunches are available September-May. A lunch time will be assigned to groups eating lunch at the Aquarium during their visit. Assigned lunch times will be at the Sea Star Pavilion. Groups can bring lunches with them or preorder from the Aquarium.
- All group lunches must be preordered at least two weeks prior to your visit.
Cancellations and Changes
Any changes to your program-including cancellations/postponements, change group totals-must be made by calling (813) 273-4015 or emailing education@flaquarium.org. A voicemail message or email is sufficient for cancellation notice.
Please note: Changes to your group total may affect the number of free chaperones.