Key West Aquarium is America’s first open-air aquarium (opened 1935) featuring over 250 specimens of Florida Keys marine life including sharks, sea turtles, stingrays and tropical fish, located in Mallory Square, Key West, Florida. This guide covers opening hours, admission prices, parking, accessibility and practical tips for visiting this historic waterfront attraction.
To skip the detail and just buy Key West Aquarium tickets, head this way.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily 09:00-18:00 year-round (last entry 17:30). Open 365 days including holidays. |
| Admission prices | Adult $19.94-$25, Child (4-12) $12-$15, Under 4 free. Online discounts available. |
| Address | 1 Whitehead Street, Mallory Square, Key West, Florida 33040 |
| Getting there | In Mallory Square waterfront district, 1 block from cruise ship docks. Duval Loop bus stops 1 block away. 10-minute walk from Duval Street. |
| Time needed | 1 to 1.5 hours for thorough visit including presentations. Expect 45-60 minutes minimum. |
Key West Aquarium opening hours
The aquarium is open daily from 09:00 to 18:00, 365 days a year including holidays. Last entry is at 17:30.
The facility operates rain or shine year-round. There are no seasonal closures or modified hours. The aquarium is open Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and all other public holidays.
Guided presentations run throughout the day, typically starting every 30 minutes. Each presentation lasts 15-20 minutes and covers different exhibits. Major feeding times are scheduled at 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 and 16:30 daily.
Peak visiting times are 10:00 to 15:00, particularly during cruise ship days when passengers visit between port calls. The aquarium is busiest during winter months (December-April) when Key West sees maximum tourism. Arriving at opening time (09:00) or after 16:00 provides a less crowded experience.
Locals Sunday: Free admission for Monroe County residents (valid ID required) on select Sundays throughout the year. Check the website for specific dates. Opening hours and admission information were checked and updated January 2026.
5 great Key West experiences to book
- 🛶 Look for wildlife in the mangroves on a guided kayaking tour.
- 👻 Go on a ghosts and mysteries tour and discover Key West’s dark side at night.
- 🐬 Combine dolphin-watching and snorkelling on a half day adventure.
- 🍴 Take a cultural food tour and learn about Keys heritage as you eat and drink.
- 🍹 Explore lesser-known bars on a craft cocktail crawl.
Key West Aquarium admission prices
Standard admission:
- Adult: $19.94-$25 (prices vary by purchase method and season)
- Child (4-12 years): $12-$15
- Children under 4: Free
- Minimum age to participate is 4 years when accompanied by adult
Discounts available:
- Online purchase: Save up to 5% by buying tickets online in advance
- Seniors: Discounted rates with valid ID
- Students: Reduced admission with valid student ID
- Active military and families: Discounted rates with military ID
- Group rates: Available for parties of 10 or more
Package deals: Combination tickets with other Key West attractions offer better value:
- Aquarium + Shipwreck Treasure Museum: From $34.98
- Aquarium + Trolley Tour + Shipwreck Museum: From $87.93
- Various other combinations available
What’s included: All guided presentations, feeding demonstrations, touch tank access and exhibits are included in general admission. No additional charges for any programs.
Note: Admission prices listed are accurate as of January 2026 but check the official website before visiting as prices may vary.
How to get to Key West Aquarium
The aquarium is located at 1 Whitehead Street in Mallory Square, the waterfront plaza in downtown Key West. The facility is one block from the cruise ship docks, making it extremely accessible for cruise passengers.
On foot: The aquarium is a 10-minute walk from Duval Street (Key West’s main tourist thoroughfare). Walk west on any cross street to reach Whitehead Street and Mallory Square waterfront.
Duval Loop bus: Key West’s free trolley bus stops one block from the aquarium. The service runs throughout the day connecting major attractions.
Old Town Trolley: Stop #1 is at Mallory Square adjacent to the aquarium. Hop-on hop-off trolley tours provide narrated transportation around Key West.
From Key West International Airport (5 miles): Taxi (approximately 15 minutes, $15-20). Limited public transport. Most visitors rent cars or use taxis/rideshare.
Cruise passengers: The aquarium is a 5-minute walk from the cruise terminals at Mallory Square dock. Exit the ship and walk directly into Mallory Square.
Parking at Key West Aquarium
The aquarium has no dedicated parking lot. Street parking and nearby garages serve visitors.
Nearby parking options:
- Mallory Square Parking Lot (412 Wall Street): Metered parking, closest to aquarium
- 201 Front Street Garage: Multi-storey car park, 2-minute walk from aquarium
- The Opal Resort Parking Garage: Additional option near Mallory Square
- Metered street parking: Limited availability on streets surrounding Mallory Square
Parking costs: Metered parking rates vary. Typical costs are $2-3 per hour. Parking garages charge daily rates (approximately $15-25 per day). All parking is managed by the City of Key West.
Parking availability: Street parking is extremely limited, particularly during peak season (December-April) and cruise ship days. Arriving before 09:00 improves chances of finding metered street spaces. Parking garages rarely fill but involve short walks.
Alternative: Many visitors combine the aquarium with walking tours of Key West, parking once at a hotel or central location and exploring on foot.
How long to spend at Key West Aquarium
Most visitors spend 1 to 1.5 hours at the aquarium. The facility is relatively compact but offers multiple presentations and interactive experiences.
Suggested time allocation:
- Self-guided viewing of exhibits: 30-40 minutes
- Attending 2-3 presentations (shark feeding, turtle talk, stingray feeding): 30-45 minutes
- Touch tank interaction: 10-15 minutes
- Gift shop: 10 minutes
Minimum visit: 45 minutes to see main exhibits and one feeding demonstration.
Extended visit: Visitors attending all daily presentations can spend 1.5-2 hours, though this is less common.
The aquarium’s size is frequently described as “small” or “compact” in reviews. Unlike major aquariums with extensive galleries, Key West Aquarium focuses on regional species in a single main hall with several exhibit areas. This makes it suitable for families with young children who may have limited attention spans.
Combination visits: Many visitors pair the aquarium with other Mallory Square attractions (Shipwreck Treasure Museum, waterfront dining, sunset celebrations) for a half-day experience.
Accessibility at Key West Aquarium
The Key West Aquarium is fully accessible to visitors with disabilities.
Wheelchair access: The facility is wheelchair accessible throughout. Level floors and wide aisles accommodate wheelchairs and mobility aids. The main viewing areas, touch tank and exhibits are accessible.
Accessible facilities:
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance on Whitehead Street
- Accessible restrooms (note: some reviews mention restrooms are located in adjacent Mallory Square shopping area rather than inside the aquarium building itself)
- Level pathways throughout exhibit areas
- Accessible touch tank with lowered sections for wheelchair users
Hearing impairments: The aquarium provides accommodations for guests with hearing disabilities. Tour script guides are available upon request. Make staff (CASTmembers) aware of your requirements upon arrival.
Visual impairments: Touch tank provides tactile experience. Staff assist as needed.
Service animals: Service animals are permitted throughout the facility.
Mobility: The compact single-floor layout makes navigation straightforward for visitors with mobility limitations.
Historic Tours of America (aquarium operator) emphasises customer service for visitors with disabilities. Advance notice helps staff arrange appropriate accommodations.
What to see at Key West Aquarium
The aquarium houses over 250 specimens representing marine species native to Florida Keys waters.
Atlantic Shores Exhibit (50,000-gallon tank): A cross-section of near-shore mangrove ecosystem containing game fish and tropical species. The exhibit replicates a backcountry mangrove forest with tarpon, barracuda, grouper, parrotfish and dozens of other species. Interactive feeding demonstrations allow guests to feed fish while guides explain the mangrove ecosystem’s ecological importance.
Shark exhibits: Nurse sharks, bonnethead sharks, sandbar sharks and other species. Shark feeding demonstrations occur daily at 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 and 16:30. Visitors can touch and feed live sharks under staff supervision. The aquarium emphasises shark conservation and the species’ importance to Florida waters.
Sea Turtle Conservation exhibit: Four of the five sea turtle species inhabiting Florida Keys waters are represented. The aquarium houses non-releasable rescued sea turtles deemed unable to survive in the wild by US Fish & Wildlife Service. These include:
- Lola: Loggerhead turtle, the first sea turtle in the world to receive a biomimetic prosthetic flipper
- Rocky: Loggerhead turtle, second sea turtle globally with biomimetic prosthetic flipper
- Turkey and Delilah: Other resident sea turtles Turtle feeding and conservation presentations explain rescue efforts and rehabilitation.
Touch Tank: Hands-on interaction with queen conchs, sea stars, sea urchins, horseshoe crabs, hermit crabs and other invertebrates. The touch tank is particularly popular with children. Staff supervise and provide information about species.
Stingray Bay: Cownose rays in a shallow pool. Interactive feeding allows guests to feed and pet stingrays. Staff explain ray behaviour, diet and biology.
Jellyfish exhibit: Various jellyfish species including cassiopea (upside-down jellyfish). The exhibit explains how jellyfish survive without brains or hearts.
Alligator exhibit: American alligators including recently hatched baby alligators. Presentations explain differences between alligators and crocodiles. Note: Both species exist in South Florida; Key West has saltwater crocodiles while alligators inhabit freshwater areas like Blue Hole on Big Pine Key.
Additional species: Moray eels, barracuda, lionfish (invasive species), blue tang, angelfish, pufferfish, octopus and numerous tropical reef fish.
Historic building: The 1934 WPA-constructed building features original frescoes and represents Depression-era architecture. The aquarium was the first in the United States to use an open-air concept with natural sunlight (a roof was added post-WWII).
Practical tips for visiting Key West Aquarium
| Tip |
|---|
| Arrive at opening time (09:00) to avoid cruise ship crowds. Most cruise passengers visit mid-morning through afternoon. |
| Purchase tickets online in advance to save up to 5% and skip ticket queues. |
| Plan to attend shark feeding demonstrations (11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 16:30) as these are the most popular presentations. |
| Combine your visit with Mallory Square Sunset Celebration (daily event featuring street performers, food vendors and Key West sunset views). |
| The aquarium is dog-friendly. Dogs on leashes are permitted inside the facility. |
| Food and drinks are allowed inside. Consider bringing water as Key West is hot year-round. |
| Check the presentation schedule upon arrival and plan your route to catch multiple feeding demonstrations. |
| Budget 1-1.5 hours. The aquarium is compact; rushing through in 20 minutes (as some reviews mention) means missing most presentations and experiences. |
Frequently asked questions about Key West Aquarium
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the aquarium suitable for young children? | Yes. The compact size, touch tank and feeding demonstrations engage children. Most visits last 45-90 minutes, suitable for short attention spans. Children under 4 enter free. |
| Can you touch the animals? | Yes. The touch tank allows handling of queen conchs, sea stars, urchins and horseshoe crabs. Shark and ray feeding demonstrations include touching under supervision. |
| Is photography allowed? | Yes. Photography is permitted throughout. The aquarium offers free professional photos during your visit. |
| How small is the aquarium? | It is relatively compact with exhibits in a single main hall. Reviews frequently describe it as “small” compared to major city aquariums. This allows thorough viewing in 1-1.5 hours. |
| Are there bathrooms in the aquarium? | Some reviews indicate restrooms are in the adjacent Mallory Square area rather than inside the aquarium building. Verify with staff. |
| Is the aquarium worth visiting? | Reviews are mixed. Many visitors enjoy the intimate size, hands-on experiences and knowledgeable staff. Some find it overpriced for the size. Consider combination tickets for better value. |
Daily presentation schedule
Presentations run throughout operating hours. Typical schedule (check upon arrival for exact times):
Every 30 minutes: Rotating presentations covering:
- Touch Tank/Aquarium History
- Atlantic Shores Interactive Feed
- Sea Turtle Conservation Tour
- Stingray Interactive Feeding
Fixed times – Shark Interactive Feeding:
- 11:00
- 13:00
- 15:00
- 16:30
Each presentation lasts 15-20 minutes. Arrive a few minutes early to secure good viewing positions during popular feeding times.
Things to do near Key West Aquarium
Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum (100 metres, 2-minute walk in Mallory Square) recreates Key West’s 1856 shipwrecking industry. Climb the 65-foot observation tower for panoramic views. Lift a genuine Spanish silver bar.
Mallory Square Sunset Celebration (at the aquarium location) is a nightly event featuring street performers, musicians, food vendors and artisans celebrating the Key West sunset. Performers include acrobats, jugglers, fire eaters and musicians. Free to attend. Begins approximately 2 hours before sunset daily.
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum (300 metres, 5-minute walk) displays treasure recovered from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha, which sank in 1622. Gold bars, emeralds, silver coins and artefacts valued at over $450 million.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park (3 kilometres, 10-minute drive) is a Civil War-era fort with the best beach in Key West. Snorkelling, swimming, picnicking and fort tours.
Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum (1.6 kilometres, 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk) is the author’s former residence (1931-1939) where he wrote For Whom the Bell Tolls and other works. The Spanish Colonial house features 50+ polydactyl (six-toed) cats, descendants of Hemingway’s original cat Snow White.
Duval Street (1 block east) is Key West’s main street with bars, restaurants, shops and galleries. Sloppy Joe’s Bar (Hemingway’s favourite), Hog’s Breath Saloon and dozens of other establishments.
More Key West travel
Other Key West travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Rum-tasting in Key West.
- A tour of Harry Truman’s Little White House in Key West.
- See the six-toed cats at the Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West.
- Key West mangrove kayaking guide.
- Visitor guide to the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum.
- What’s so special about Dry Tortugas National Park?
- How to spend three days in Key West.
