A New Wave of Wonder: The Florida Aquarium Unveils The Tide Pool

From the icy waters of the Pacific Northwest to the heart of Tampa Bay, a new adventure awaits. Today, The Florida Aquarium celebrated the grand opening of The Tide Pool — one of the only cold-water touch habitats on Florida’s west coast. The Tide Pool is a 60-foot-long, 4,000-gallon, cold-water touch habitat that invites guests to discover, touch, and connect with more than 200 marine invertebrates—quadrupling the animals from the previous No Bone Zone exhibit.

Kept at a cool 50 degrees to replicate Pacific Northwest coastal waters, this immersive exhibit offers visitors the opportunity to feel the texture of a red bat star, check out the striking colors of the ochre sea star, and watch the spot prawns in action—all in an environment that looks and sounds like a Pacific Northwest coastline.

“The Tide Pool is a spectacular new addition that brings the spirit of discovery to life,” said Roger Germann, President & CEO of The Florida Aquarium. “For the past 30 years, we’ve inspired people to care about marine life. With The Tide Pool, we’re creating a rare opportunity to interact with incredible cold-water species not found in Florida—offering the kind of hands-on experience that ignites curiosity and can spark a lifelong commitment to conservation, especially in our youngest visitors.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD BROADCAST QUALITY VIDEO & SOUND + PHOTOS OF THE TIDE POOL & ANIMALS
Courtesy: The Florida Aquarium

Built in six expansive segments and featuring a state-of-the-art wave action system, the exhibit delivers a multi-sensory experience. Projected wave effects and a 16-channel surround sound system bring the tide to life with the roar of crashing surf and the calls of seabirds. A custom mural by artist Curtis Stokes shifts from sunset to starlight and sunrise under UV-reactive lighting, creating a stunning, ever-changing backdrop for exploration.

“Every element of The Tide Pool is designed to immerse our guests in the diversity and resilience of life in these coastal habitats,” said Tim Binder, Senior Vice President of Animal Care & Health at The Florida Aquarium. “It’s a rare opportunity for our community to engage directly with cold-water marine life and gain a deeper appreciation for their unique adaptations—sparking both curiosity and a lasting commitment to ocean conservation.”

Meet Some of The Tide Pool’s Animals

• Green Surf Anemone: a vibrant green anemone with tentacles that capture small fish in cold, wave-swept waters.
• Red Bat Star: a colorful sea star with five to nine arms, each covered in tiny pincers for feeding.
• Ochre Sea Star: an iconic intertidal species found along the Pacific coast, known for its striking orange or purple hues.
• Spot Prawn: a deep-water shrimp species valued for its beauty and important role in the food web.
• Black-Eyed Hermit Crab: a hardy crustacean that carries its home on its back and scavenges along the seafloor.

The Tide Pool Key Highlights

• Opening Date: August 1, 2025
• Location: Second-floor Mezzanine, The Florida Aquarium in Downtown Tampa
• Size: 60 feet long, 4,000 gallons of water
• Animals Featured: More than 200 marine invertebrates, 22 different species
  121 sea stars, 92 anemones, 21 crustaceans and snails
• Exhibit Features:
  • Built in six massive segments with water cascading over lifelike rocks
  • Kept at a cool 50 degrees to replicate the Pacific Northwest coastal waters
  • Advanced water motion system that replicates the natural motion of waves hitting the rocky beach
  • Projected wave effects and surround sound of crashing surf and seabirds
  • A 70-foot-long custom mural with UV-reactive paint and custom light programming that simulates from sunset to a starry coastal night and then a beautiful sunrise

Part of a Bold Vision for Tampa Bay
The Tide Pool is the latest milestone in The Florida Aquarium’s historic $45 million expansion, following the opening of the MORPH’D gallery presented by PAR in 2023. Upcoming plans include the arrival of puffins in late 2026-early 2027, and the debut of a California sea lion habitat, the first of its kind on Florida’s west coast, along with a new habitat for the African penguins, both in late 2027-early 2028.

These expansion plans are made possible through community support, including a $15 million Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) investment and The Tide Pool exhibit supporters Robert R. Sharp & Family and Marvin L. & Betsy Holloway. Together, they are helping The Florida Aquarium elevate its shared purpose through conservation, education, and world-class animal care.

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Contact The Florida Aquarium communications@flaquarium.org