The Florida Aquarium Celebrates Expanded Partnership with the Tampa Bay Rays

March 18, 2024

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Tampa, FL – The Florida Aquarium is proud to reveal the newly transformed Stingray Beach exhibit, now sponsored by the Tampa Bay Rays. These exciting updates to the hands-on experience, located on the second floor of the Aquarium’s downtown Tampa campus, mark a significant milestone in the continued collaboration between the baseball team and the renowned Aquarium.

Stingrays are an integral part of the Tampa Bay Rays identity, cherished by fans at Tropicana Field, where the team has featured the Aquarium’s popular stingray touch tank since 2006. The recent expansion of this partnership showcases the shared commitment of the Rays and the Aquarium to deliver engaging experiences for fans and Aquarium visitors alike.

“The Rays and the Aquarium are champions in bringing families together—two of the premier family destinations across Tampa Bay,” said Stephon Thomas, Director of Promotions for the Tampa Bay Rays. “The expanded partnership with The Florida Aquarium is something we are really excited about. As an organization, it is important for us to continue to give back and create more experiences and more wins for all our fans.”

“We are grateful for the support of the Tampa Bay Rays as presenting sponsors of Stingray Beach. Their investment demonstrates their unwavering commitment to our community and marine wildlife conservation,” said Andy Wood, Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and COO at The Florida Aquarium. “Thanks to the Rays generosity, we can further our mission to engage and educate guests, inviting them to immerse themselves in a world where wonder and learning meet.”

During a recent adventure to unveil the exhibit’s new look, Raymond, the beloved mascot of the Tampa Bay Rays, embarked on a thrilling scavenger hunt to meet the stingrays at Stingray Beach. Following top-secret clues throughout the Aquarium, Raymond’s journey led him to the heart of the exhibit, where he joyfully reunited with his aquatic friends, accompanied by The Florida Aquarium’s turtle mascot, Tango.

Stingray Beach offers Aquarium visitors a hands-on encounter with fascinating marine life, including the opportunity to touch the smooth wingtip of a cownose ray as it gracefully glides by. The exhibit features a diverse array of aquatic inhabitants, such as the Florida horse conch, blue angelfish, porkfish and doctorfish, providing a truly immersive and educational experience.

As part of the sponsorship of Stingray Beach, Aquarium guests may scan a QR code to receive a 10 percent discount for any regular-season Rays home game. In addition, Rays Rookies Kids Club MVP members may present their membership card for free admission to the Aquarium with the purchase of a full price adult ticket.

For more information, to purchase tickets and reserve your arrival timeframe in advance, please visit The Florida Aquarium’s website.