Max O'Well Visits Florida's Tampa Bay Aquarium

While visiting my brother in Florida I got to visit some really neat and interesting things in the St. Petersburg area. One of his favorites to visit is an aquarium in Tampa.

I have been to this aquarium quite some years back. At the time it seemed like the type of small aquarium that you would see on the side of a tourist street. At least that’s how I remember it.

Wow! The aquarium was much larger under a huge dome. It had a large parking lot with a pond with a few visiting native birds outside. Behind the aquarium a large cruise ship was berthed. The ship was called the Miracle and each of the numerous life boats that lined it had a number and the word Miracle on them.

Originally I headed from the car to building beside the aquarium but my brother steered me to the modern domed building. In from the building has a huge Manta Ray which should have given me a clue. Some of us are just naturally slow.

To enter the Aquarium we had to pay the piper.

My brother had a two for one coupon so it cost us just $17.95 for two. Normal price for adults under 60 is $17.95 each; over 60 $14.95; children under 12 $12.95; and under 2 years FREE.

If you have a group or want to try their Eco-Tour there is contact information at the end of this article. As I point out, if you live in the area they have special offers from time to time.

The Aquarium:

It was about 10:30 am when we entered the aquarium. We passed through some bird exhibits first. Yes, I know it says it is an aquarium. But it has a lot more than just fish in this aquarium. It is themed on the idea of showing the creatures dependent on water to some extent, as well as fish that inhabit the water.

We saw ducks, wading birds, Gars (a long fish), turtles and Florida’s resident favorite, Alligators. With only a thin (perhaps 1/2inch) piece of glass between us and the gators we could see them excellently.

Because the bottom of the alligator tank is above the floor level you get a great 360 view of the entire animal. Several gators hung in the water with their snouts above the water and the rest of them under the water.

Gold Fish with Water Wings. Soon this fish too will learn to swim on its own!

Credit: Max O'Well

Copyright: Dr. David S. McKenney