Get Ready to Dive into the Jacksonville Aquarium

When you have younger kids, you spend a lot of time trying to find the next great adventure. Children are natural explorers who are always searching for a brand-new way to learn. Luckily, your family will soon have the Jacksonville Aquarium to explore! The city’s newest addition is going to be your favorite attraction in Spring of 2026. As a Jacksonville family photographer, I have been keeping my eyes on this engaging space. Here’s everything you need to know about the Jacksonville Aquarium!

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About The Jacksonville Aquarium

Jacksonville, Florida 32211

It’s a little wild to think that Jacksonville does not currently have a large, designated aquarium. Sure, we have sweeping ocean views and picturesque beaches, but we don’t really have a way to get up close and personal with the sea life. For years, other places like aquarium shops and the Jacksonville Zoo have been helping that itch, but it still feels like something is missing. The Jacksonville Aquarium is currently under development to meet the needs. In May of 2023, the center applied to become a non-profit organization, and they are now accepting donations to break ground. Once they are open, they will have options between daily passes and yearly memberships that will pay for themselves in just three visits!

Services

Okay, so once they open their doors, what can you expect? The answer to that question is a whole lot! Their planned vision is to have the chance to educate over 100,000 visitors, 59% of which would be students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Their goal is to teach kids all about the animals that call the ocean their home. In the process, kids are going to get to learn how they can take a firsthand role in conservation efforts. The aquarium has their sights set on becoming the second Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited facility, matching the gold standard of animal care.

They plan on having over 360,000 gallons of water across 8 tanks. You will be able to come in and see sharks, dolphins, and rays. They will also have two ocean reef tanks that will replicate both the Florida Reef Tract and the Great Barrier Reef. Once you are done there, you should be able to head over and see coastal creatures that live all across the world. There will also be a close tide pool and a salt marsh!

Specialty

Are you wondering how you can help make the Jacksonville Aquarium a reality? They have several unique donor ideas including a paver program so your family can stop and take a picture with your brick each time you stop into the aquarium. They also have naming opportunities and signage spots for bigger donors. And even if you don’t give financially, the aquarium has a newsletter where you can subscribe so you can have a firsthand peek at any opportunities including volunteer roles!

What Are The Closest Aquariums To Jacksonville

While Jacksonville itself doesn’t have a large aquarium yet, there are some great options nearby:

St. Augustine Aquarium: Located at 2045 FL-16, St. Augustine, FL 32084. This aquarium features a variety of marine life, including nurse sharks, seahorses, and lionfish. They also have a Touch Tank where kids can interact with horseshoe crabs and starfish.
Marineland: Located at 9600 Oceanshore Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080. This facility offers dolphin shows and swim-with-the-dolphin experiences, as well as habitats for sharks and sea turtles
Floating Sea Aquatics: Located at 8661 Old Kings Road South, Jacksonville, FL. This is an aquarium store with exceptional displays and even a café inside.
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens: While not a dedicated aquarium, the zoo has some aquatic life exhibits, including stingrays, koi, and alligators.

The Jacksonville Aquarium Will Be A Magical Place For The Whole Family

The Jacksonville Aquarium is going to give your family an adventure they simply won’t forget! If you need a way to make memories before then, let’s connect! I am a Jacksonville photographer, and I specialize in maternity and newborn portraits. I would love to sit down and have a conversation so you can decide if my style matches yours. Send me a message today to find out more!