About the Aquarium
Plans
Open for guided tours: Monday-Friday 9 am- 4 pm Saturday & Sunday 9am-5pm
Toddler Tuesdays 8:30-9:30 If you have a toddler, a non guided time is just for you!
Why are we doing guided tours by marine biologists?
Our aquarium habitats are open air allowing for interactions such as feedings & touchings. Guests must be accompanied by staff for safety. We do this with a tour and share fun facts about our animals!
We are an outdoor, open air facility
Call to schedule a time slot 904-429-9777
Snorkeling is still booking as well at 10am,11:30am, 2pm & 3:30pm weekends
11:30am & 2pm Monday - Friday. Call for additional availability
We are located .7 mile east of Route 95 off of the 318 exit on Rt 16 ( next to the Courtyard Marriott)
The St. Augustine Aquarium and Snorkel Adventure is an exciting new Northeast Florida marine attraction.
* LEARN: Guided tours led by Marine Biologists
*TOUCH: Touch starfish, urchins, horseshoe crabs & more!
*SNORKEL: Snorkel with hundreds of Florida Reef Fish and Rays! Gear provided. Bring a bathing suit and towel and be ready for FUN!
*FEED: Hand feed fish & Cownose Ray while snorkeling!
Shark Painting Experience NOW HAPPENING!
Choose 2 colors to be painted by Bruce and Helen on a canvas or
t- shirt ! A most unique experience at the St. Augustine Aquarium.
Summer Camps: Sign up now! Call 904-429-9777
Come join us for a day of interaction with some of Florida’s most beautiful marine species and touch invertebrates, feed the sharks or dig for shark teeth!
For the adventurous, snorkel up close and personal with sea life in a natural Florida reef environment. Hand feed fish, rays or both while snorkeling! We supply the wetsuits, masks, snorkels, vests and shoes. All you need is bathing suit, towel and dry clothes. Clear vision rafts are also available by request as part of your snorkel package.
All about shark events, birthday parties, educational field trips( virtual & in person) and summer/winter camps are available as well. This along with a gift and snack shop.
The second phase will consist of ecosystem-specific habitats housed in a new building including: a recreated dock piling, rock jetty and shoreline to name a few. In addition, the permanent gift shop and restrooms will be located in this building. This will allow the temporary units to be removed to make room for the next phase. Expanded parking is also included. This is currently in the design & permitting phase. More details of Phase 2 announced soon!
In the third phase, you can experience an 18th century shipwreck reef, surrounded by sharks, while submerged in a real shark cage. Also enjoy behind the scenes tours, delicious food in our café and souvenirs and collectables in our gift shop.
Shawn & Kathy Hiester
Developing the St. Augustine Aquarium, Snorkel Adventure and Zipline has been a labor of love for founders Shawn and Kathy Hiester. They have been passionate about marine biology since they were kids and are thrilled to share that passion with their community through a viable and sustainable public aquarium.
Shawn and Kathy spent two years traveling the country to tour aquariums and meet the dedicated people who make them work. They also assembled a team of experts to not just build a business, but to use the aquarium as a vehicle for research, education and thoughtful discussion about the state of Florida's marine habitats. They established relationships with marine research universities and organizations in support of their mission: marine conservation through education.
When people see and understand these incredible creatures, they will realize how critically important it is to protect them.