The Florida Aquarium will open early on Saturday, June 26 for individuals with sensory differences as part of its Day of Discovery series. The entirety of the campus will be open with lights and sounds adapted accordingly from 8:00 am to 9:30 am.
Tickets are on sale for Day of Discovering now by visiting flaquarium.org/attendanevent. Parking will be free in The Florida Aquarium parking lot for guests of Day of Discovery.
Highlights for visitors will include three touch experiences – Moon Bay, Stingray Beach and No Bone Zone. The Splash Pad will be open early for the event. Traveling from a galaxy far, far away to attend Day of Discovery is the 501st Tampa Bay Legion. This cast of characters will safely roam the Aquarium for an unforgettable adventure and great photo opps.
The first 100 children will also receive a complimentary Osmo Sampler. Designed for kids 4–10, the sampler includes five games available (as part of a 7-day trial) to enhance the functionality of an iPad as a hands-on learning tool. Osmo, a proud partner of The Florida Aquarium, merges tactile exploration with innovative technology, actively engaging children in the learning process.
The Florida Aquarium works with the Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD) at the University of South Florida to offer support and assistance to people with autism and related disabilities; including The Aquarium Story in preparation for a visit to The Florida Aquarium. The link to the story can be found at flaquarium.org/planyourvisit.
Guests of Day of Discovery may continue enjoying the Aquarium following the conclusion of the event. Lights and sounds will start at 9:30 am for general admission. Admission for the hours of Day of Discovery are reserved only for families and children with sensory differences and/or accessibility challenges.
In line with the latest CDC guidance, fully-vaccinated guests may forego wearing a mask while visiting The Florida Aquarium. Masks are still required for unvaccinated guests including children (between the ages of 3 and 11) while inside the Aquarium. Per U.S. Coast Guard regulations, face coverings will remain mandatory onboard Bay Spirit II for all team members and guests.
