The Florida Aquarium Makes Waves with The Tide Pool, a New Hands-On Exhibit Opening August 1, 2025

July 9, 2025

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Touch a sea star. Hear the surf. Watch the tide roll in. Now you can! Opening on August 1, The Florida Aquarium’s newest exhibit—The Tide Pool—is an interactive experience that brings the rugged coastline of the Pacific Northwest to the heart of downtown Tampa.

Located on the Aquarium’s newly renovated second-floor mezzanine, The Tide Pool is one of the only cold-water touch habitats on Florida’s west coast. Spanning more than 60 feet long and holding 4,000 gallons of 50-degree water, this expansive, touch experience invites guests to connect with more than 200 marine invertebrates—quadrupling the number from the previous No Bone Zone exhibit.

From vibrant sunburst and vermilion sea stars to squat lobsters, purple sea urchins, and fish-eating anemones, The Tide Pool offers rare, up-close encounters with species never seen in Florida waters—all in a serene, coastal-inspired setting.

“The Tide Pool is not just a touch display—it’s a new, large-scale exhibit that offers a multi-sensory, hands-on experience that brings our guests closer to the ocean and marine life that thrive in these rugged coastlines,” said Roger Germann, President & CEO of The Florida Aquarium. “Opening during our 30th anniversary, this exhibit gallery marks another bold step forward as we continue with our historic $45M expansion aimed at building the world’s greatest aquarium.”

FIRST LOOK: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PHOTOS &
BROADCAST-QUALITY TIMELAPSE VIDEO OF CONSTRUCTION

Built to Inspire Wonder
Construction began in December 2024 and is wrapping up in July, following months of intricate design, innovation, and collaboration. Built in six massive segments and assembled on-site, The Tide Pool replicates the natural motion of waves hitting the rocky beach using an advanced water motion system. Guests will witness water cascading over lifelike rocks—enhanced by a projected wave effect and soundscape created with a sixteen-channel surround sound system that brings crashing surf and seagull calls to life.

Day to Night: A First-of-Its-Kind Visual Experience
The exhibit transforms from day to night in a dazzling display. A 70-foot-long mural by acclaimed artist Curtis Stokes transforms under UV-reactive paint and custom light programming that simulates the passing of time—from sunset to a starry coastal night and then a beautiful sunrise.

The Next Wave of Expansion
The Tide Pool, presented by Robert R. Sharp & Family and Marvin L. & Betsy Holloway, is the second major milestone in The Florida Aquarium’s historic $45 million expansion. Following the opening of the MORPH’D gallery presented by PAR in 2023, the multi-year transformation continues with:

• 2026: Arrival of puffins, presented by the Vinik Family Foundation
• 2027: Debut of a California sea lion habitat—a first for Florida’s west coast, presented by The Mosaic Company
• Plus, a new habitat for the Aquarium’s African penguins

Made possible through community support, including a $15 million Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) investment, these expansions are elevating the Aquarium’s role as a world-class destination, building on 30 years of impact in Florida and beyond.