The Miami Seaquarium is a 38-acre oceanarium located on Virginia Key Island in Biscayne Bay.
Founded in 1955, it is one of the oldest oceanariums in the United States and attracts over 500,000 visitors annually.
The oceanarium houses one of the largest collections of marine animals in the world, with over 10,000 specimens, including mammals, fish, sharks, sea turtles, birds, reptiles, and manatees.
This article covers everything you must know before buying tickets for the Miami Seaquarium.
Top Miami Seaquarium Tours
Table of Contents
What to expect
Miami Seaquarium is a wonderful place where conservation and education come together to offer you a memorable experience.
Take a look at a saltwater aquarium that has a capacity of 750,000 gallons and is filled with a variety of reef fishes in different sizes and colors.
Learn about marine wildlife and conservation through interactive shows and educational presentations. Gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of protecting our animal friends and their habitats.
This family-friendly waterfront adventure features close-up views of sharks through a glass barrier, opportunities to interact with alligators, observe manatees, and much more.
See Salty the Sea Lion and his Reef Rangers perform a play, watch the acrobatic bottlenose dolphins leap and roll, and see Pacific white-sided dolphins doing tricks alongside Lolita, the orca.
Buy This TicketWhere to book tickets
Tickets for the Miami Seaquarium are available to be purchased at the attraction or online in advance.
Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the attraction.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters.
When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.
Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, they may sell out during peak days. Booking online also helps avoid last-minute disappointment and delays.
How do online tickets work
Go to the Miami Seaquarium booking page, select your preferred date and the number of tickets, and buy the tickets right away.
After the purchase, you will receive the tickets via email.
You don’t need to carry printouts.
Show the smartphone tickets at the gate on the day of your visit and enter the aquarium.
Miami Seaquarium ticket prices
Adult tickets for the Miami Seaquarium cost US$53 for all visitors aged 10 and above.
Children aged between three and nine years can get the tickets for a discounted price of US$43.
Infants up to two years of age can enter for free.
Miami Seaquarium tickets
Buy this ticket and visit the world-class marine-life entertainment park, Miami Seaquarium, and enjoy a variety of unique, interactive, and educational experiences suitable for the whole family.
Enjoy skip-the-line access and the opportunity to access all the shows and exhibits without waiting in long queues.
Witness fascinating marine life spectacles like the Top Deck Dolphin Show, Flipper Dolphin Show, and Golden Domes Sea Lion Show with this ticket.
Visitors can also attend daily educational presentations that provide insights into the fascinating world of sea creatures.
Let the kids have a great time at Sharky’s Playground Island, and don’t miss the opportunity to see the penguins.
Ticket price
Adult ticket (10+ years): US$53
Child ticket (3 to 9 years): US$43
Infant ticket (up to 2 years): Free
Save time and money! Buy the Miami Go City Pass and discover over 25 top Miami-area activities, attractions, and tours. With this all-inclusive pass, you can explore Zoo Miami, Seaquarium, Big Bus Miami Hop-On Hop-Off, and many more!
How to reach
Miami Seaquarium is situated on the Virginia Key island, in Biscayne Bay near Downtown Miami.
Address: 4400, Rickenbacker Cswy, Miami, FL 33149, USA. Get Directions
You can reach the Miami Seaquarium by both public and private transportation.
By Bus
The Miami Seaquarium stop is the closest to the attraction.
Take Bus 26.
By Car
If you’re traveling by car, turn on Google Maps and get started!
Visitors can park at the attraction.
Timings
The Miami Seaquarium is open five days a week between Wednesday and Sunday.
The attraction opens at 10 am and closes at 5 pm.
The Ticket Counter closes at 4.30 pm.
How long does it take
To fully experience all of the shows and exhibits, it is best to spare a minimum of 4 hours.
However, if you are in a hurry, you can finish your Seaquarium tour in around two and a half hours.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the Miami Seaquarium is as soon as it opens at 10 am.
An early visit helps you avoid the long lines that start in the middle of the day, especially if you visit in summer, during school holidays, or on the weekends.
With fewer people, you get enough time to explore the exhibits on your own and take photographs without others in the frame.
Animals in the touch pools are also most active in the early part of the day.
Things to do at Miami Seaquarium
The Miami Seaquarium offers different kinds of experiences, starting from animal encounters to shows and fantastic exhibits.
Animal Encounters
If you love dolphins, Penises, seals, etc., you will enjoy the animal encounters at this Maimi aquarium.
Besides the Dolphin Experience and the Sea Trek Reef Encounter, the other animal encounters are –
Dolphin Odyssey
Dolphin Odyssey is a 30-minute deep-water experience with enigmatic dolphins.
You get the experience of a lifetime with the incredible dorsal pull – yes, you will be swimming with the Dolphins.
You will also be able to shake the dolphins’ hands, kiss them, and feed them.
The minimum height requirement to participate in the Dolphin Odyssey is 52 inches (4 feet 4 inches or 132 cm).
This animal encounter costs $220 for an adult participant and approximately $60 for children (10 to 17 years).
Seal Swim
This unique 15-20 minute interaction will let you swim with your special Seal friend as well as train them.
During this surreal experience, you will swim with harbor seals in both deep and shallow water.
Seal Swim at Miami Seaquarium costs approximately $180 for every 10-year-plus participant.
Meet the Penguin
Where else will you get an opportunity to meet African Penguins?
You can pet the Penguins and interact with them one-on-one in their settings.
Since this animal encounter is in high demand, it is recommended you book in advance.
It costs $120 per adult to book this experience.
Shows at Miami Sea Aquarium
There are four amazing shows at this Miami attraction, and all of them are free to watch.
Top Deck Dolphin
Witness the top deck Bottlenose Dolphins doing breathtaking flips and rolls.
The daring acrobatics of these enigmatic creatures will be one of the most amazing experiences of your life.
You can view the top deck Dolphins from above or below the water anytime throughout the day.
Golden Dome Sea Lion
The show features the comedic adventures of Salty, the Sea Lion, and his Reef Rangers searching the reef for a littering diver.
It is a fun experience for the kids as well as the adults.
Flipper Dolphin Show
Flipper, the Dolphin, stars in an all-new Caribbean-themed show that showcases Flipper’s surroundings and how they have changed in recent years.
Killer Whale and Dolphin
There is no other Aquarium where you will find a Killer Whale performing alongside Pacific white-sided Dolphins.
It is once in a lifetime opportunity to witness Lolita, the Killer Whale, with her Dolphin friends in an interactive showcase.
Miami Seaquarium exhibits
From the numerous exhibits to see at Miami Seaquarium, here are our favorites –
Touch Pools
Enjoy the new thrilling interactive Touch Pools of the Aquarium.
Submerge your hands and touch different varieties of fish.
Caribbean Flamingos
You can’t miss the 30 beautiful flamingos at the renovated entrance when you enter this tourist attraction.
Penguin Isle
Penguin Isle is an excellent opportunity to meet and greet the most impressive African Penguins.
It is one of the newest exhibits in the aquarium.
You will get to know more about their struggles in the wild through big, colorful educational displays.
Tortuga Flats
Explore the Tortuga Flats – an awareness exhibit about Sea Turtles where you learn about the endangered species in Florida waters.
Miami Seaquarium has a rescue and rehabilitation program, and the Sea Turtles in the Aquarium are part of the project.
Tropical Reef
The Tropical Reef exhibit showcases a reef presentation with reef fish of every size and color in a 750,000-gallon saltwater reef aquarium.
You get to see a group of divers hand-feed tropical fish, Stingrays, and many other varieties of fish.
Manatees
The Manatee Exhibit focuses on how one can protect and save these gentle creatures.
The Manatees in the presentation are also a part of Miami Seaquarium’s rescue and rehabilitation program.
Seal and Sea Lion feeder Pool
This exhibit features Seals and Sea Lions, which you can visit and explore throughout the day.
Do drop in for the feeding sessions, which happen a couple of times during the day.
Tropical Wings
The Tropical Wings exhibit is dedicated to all kinds of tropical birds, ranging from Macaws to Flamingos.
The animal keepers are ever ready to answer any curious questions you might have about the birds.
Tropical Fish aquariums
The Tropical Fish aquariums let you witness and explore an astounding variety of tropical marine life.
You cannot miss the invasive Red lionfish, the Florida Lobsters, and many more once you enter this exhibit.
Stingrays
The interactive Stingray exhibit allows you to feed these amazing creatures during the daily feeding sessions.
The Stingray Exhibit is inside the Tropical Wings Exhibit.
Miami Seaquarium map
Miami Seaquarium is enormous, and it makes sense to be aware of the location of all the exhibits.
If you are visiting with kids, it is essential to be aware of the Seaquarium’s layout so that you can plan and allocate time to the most preferred exhibits.
A map of the Miami Seaquarium can also help you find visitor services like restrooms, restaurants, gift shops, etc.
You can bookmark this page or take a printout of the map for later use.
Restaurants
Walking around and exploring the Miami Seaquarium can leave you feeling hungry.
That’s why there are family-friendly places all around this tourist attraction to eat, drink, and relax.
Manatee Bay Cafe
This place to eat is an air-conditioned cafeteria that serves quick-service meals, including burgers, chicken fingers, wraps, salads, etc.
Beverages served here include a large selection of sodas, coffees, teas, and beer.
Pink’s Hollywood Hot Dogs
This eating joint is the latest addition to the Miami Seaquarium and serves fantastic hot dogs.
It is a hit among kids.
Dockside BBQ
When open, it serves excellent BBQ favorites such as pulled pork sandwiches, chicken, baked beans, corn on the cob, etc.
Dockside BBQ is a seasonal restaurant.
Whale Spout Pizza
Do you have to get something to eat quickly before rushing to the next show?
Check out the Pizza spot, which serves hot, fresh, and cheesy pizzas to cater to all taste buds.
Dolphin Lobby Snack Bar serves pretzels, popcorn, ice cream, cotton candy, smoothies, juices, etc., and is perfect for a quick snack break.
FAQs about the Miami Seaquarium
Here are some questions visitors usually ask before visiting the Miami Seaquarium.
What kind of animals can you see at the Miami Seaquarium?
Visitors can see a variety of marine life at the Miami Seaquarium, including dolphins, sea lions, manatees, sea turtles, and various fish species.
Are there any special events or shows at the Miami Seaquarium?
Yes, the park offers a variety of daily shows and special events throughout the year, including dolphin and sea lion shows, feeding demonstrations, and behind-the-scenes tours.
Should I pre-book tickets for the Miami Seaquarium?
Yes, it is best to buy tickets in advance to ensure availability and have a hassle-free experience.
Is the Miami Seaquarium appropriate for young children?
Yes, the aquarium is a family-friendly attraction that offers a variety of activities and shows catered to children of all ages.
Is there a gift shop at the Miami Seaquarium?
Yes, the park has a gift shop where visitors can purchase souvenirs and aquatic-themed merchandise.
Is the Miami Seaquarium wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the aquarium is fully accessible for visitors with disabilities.
Can you bring food into the Miami Seaquarium?
No, outside food and beverages are not permitted in the park. However, the Miami Seaquarium has several dining options available on-site.
Is parking available at the Miami Seaquarium?
Yes, on-site parking is available at the attraction.
