Sarasota - The Florida Aquarium - VIP Tour

Take a private VIP tour behind the scenes at The Florida Aquarium in Tampa. The behind the scenes tour provides a sneak peak into the daily operations at the Aquarium. Guests will enter the “wet side” of the aquarium, a section not normally open to the public. See what it takes to maintain a world class aquarium, from water filtration to animal care and feeding. Tour guests will have the opportunity to view our largest exhibit, the Tropical Reef habitat from above and even feed some of our fish.

Swim with the Fishes is an in-water reef adventure for anyone 6 and older who is comfortable in the water providing the opportunity to encounter one of the Florida Keys' most beautiful coral reef dive sites without being a certified SCUBA diver. During this introduction to diving, you'll wear a small SCUBA tank, regulator and floatation device that keeps you on the surface. This allows you to experience the thrill of SCUBA diving from the surface, while enjoying all of the sights 2,300 fish have to offer in the spectacular 1/2-million gallon Coral Reef Exhibit.

Dive with the Sharks provides a unique opportunity for certified SCUBA divers, age 15 and older, to come face-to-face with live sharks! Splashing down in Shark Bay is the perfect dive; warm clear water, teaming with sharks from around the world and no boat ride! We provide the sharks and all of your gear for this experience of a lifetime.

The Penguin Backstage Pass is a new 30-minute Behind the Scenes experience where guests get the opportunity to interact with penguins in an up-close and personal setting.

Led by an experienced penguin biologist, a typical visit may include a chance to touch the penguins, see them waddle, swim, shake their tails and jump in and out of their interaction pool. While there, our biologist will describe these remarkable birds and their specialized care. Guests may also watch the penguins being fed fish by our biologists.

These South African Birds live in a temperate environment in the "Penguin Suite" so no coats are needed.

Tampa Bay is home to more than 500 bottlenose dolphins and is one of the best places in Florida to view endangered manatees and numerous species of birds, many of which are threatened or endangered. All of this wildlife thrives in a working, deepwater port, one of the busiest in the Southern United States. Photo Tour.

Jacques Cousteau has said, "For most of history, man has had to fight with nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it." But before you can protect something, you must learn about it. One of the main goals of the Ecotour program is to help educate our guests about the Bay in an enjoyable and fun setting!

Everywhere around Tampa, the bay plays a critical role in the lives of residents and visitors alike. Everyday activities are connected with the bay.

Tampa Electric Company (TECO) uses bay water to cool its turbines which produce the energy used daily around the bay. In turn, this warm water is discharged into the bay creating an important winter habitat for West Indian manatees. The boating industry has a huge impact on this area, too. Whether commercial, industrial or recreational activities are the subject, the impact can be felt across the region. There are billions of dollars generated by the bay from trade imports and exports, tourism, seafood industry and countless other sources. Aquarium guests can now learn just how important the bay is to the city, county and entire state of Florida.

The 90-minute journey through the bay aboard our brand new boat the Bay Spirit II, our 72-foot powered catamaran, allows guests to encounter the awesome animals that thrive in these local waters. The only requirement is a sense of adventure. A good pair of binoculars is optional!

Come join us on a fun filled tour! This tour includes a private tour guide at the aquarium and a personal assistant as your guide extraordinaire. The package also includes admission to the aquarium and all packages offered: Penguins: Backstage Pass, Come Splash in the Water, This package includes round-trip stretch limousine service with complimentary refreshments from your point of origin.