The Miami Sea Aquarium, correctly called the Miami Seaquarium, is closed. It shut on 12 October 2025 after 70 years on Virginia Key, and no tickets are on sale.
This guide explains what happened, what the developer plans for the site and where to see marine life in Miami now. It also flags details that sources report differently.
Key Takeaways
- The Miami Seaquarium closed permanently on 12 October 2025.
- Searches for “miami sea aquarium” refer to the same Virginia Key attraction.
- A developer plans a marina, restaurants and an aquarium without marine mammals.
- Reports suggest the new waterfront village may not open until around 2030.
- Frost Science and Zoo Miami are the closest verified alternatives.
- Older pages that still list tickets and showtimes are outdated.
Is the Miami Sea Aquarium Open?
No. The Miami Seaquarium closed to the public on 12 October 2025, per Wikipedia and local news. Time Out Miami described it as the end of a 70-year run.
Several websites still show old ticket prices and daily hours. Those pages predate the closure, so ignore them and do not buy tickets from third-party sellers for this attraction.
The name causes confusion. People search “miami sea aquarium”, “Miami Seaquarium” and “Miami Sea Aquarium Virginia Key”, but all refer to the same place.
Miami Sea Aquarium at a Glance
| Detail | Information | Status |
| Correct name | Miami Seaquarium | Confirmed |
| Location | Virginia Key, Biscayne Bay, Miami | Confirmed |
| Opened | 24 September 1955 | Wikipedia |
| Closed to the public | 12 October 2025 | Confirmed |
| Property owner | Miami-Dade County | Confirmed |
| Current plan | Marina, restaurants, shops and a new aquarium | Reported |
| New aquarium animals | No marine mammals | Reported |
What Happened to the Miami Seaquarium?
Years of pressure over animal welfare, finances and the condition of the park preceded the closure. This timeline draws on Wikipedia, WSVN, CBS Miami and Time Out Miami.
| Date | Event |
| 1955 | The park opens, founded by Fred D. Coppock and Captain W.B. Gray |
| 2014 | Palace Entertainment buys the Seaquarium |
| 2022 | The Dolphin Company acquires it |
| 2023 | A USDA inspection report cites several Animal Welfare Act violations |
| February 2024 | The park reportedly loses American Humane accreditation, which its lease requires |
| March 2024 | Miami-Dade County sends a lease termination notice |
| 31 March 2025 | The Dolphin Company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection |
| 26 September 2025 | The county and the operator announce a deal with developer Terra Group |
| 12 October 2025 | The park closes to the public |
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava cited a “long and troubling history of violations” as the county ended the lease. Time Out says the eviction cited “chronic safety and animal-care violations.”
Sources also link the decline to aging facilities and public criticism over the park’s orca, Lolita. She died in August 2023, according to Wikipedia, after decades at the park.
Bankruptcy followed in 2025 for The Dolphin Company, which operated the park. Later, the county agreed to let a new lessee take over the remaining lease.
What Is Planned for the Site?
Developer David Martin and Terra Group took over the lease. Reports give slightly different prices, with WSVN citing $22.5 million and CBS Miami and Islander News citing about $23 million.
Miami-Dade County commissioners approved the deal unanimously in early December 2025, according to Islander News. That report describes it as in essence a 99-year lease on county-owned property.
Reportedly, the lease requires Martin to pay the county at least $3 million a year. He must also share up to 5% of the redeveloped property’s annual revenue.
Plans call for a roughly $100 million redevelopment of a 38-acre waterfront site off the Rickenbacker Causeway. It would include:
- A boating marina and dry-dock storage
- Restaurants and shops in a “Fisherman’s Village” style
- A public baywalk
- A learning center
- A new aquarium without marine mammals
According to Islander News, Martin hopes to keep the gold geodesic dome for another use. The same report says he hopes to open the new village around 2030.
A July 2026 Real Deal headline says marina work is getting underway at the site. Treat all opening dates as targets, since no official construction schedule has been published.
The Seaquarium name is expected to stay, according to WSVN. How the future aquarium will operate has not been detailed in the sources reviewed.
What Happened to the Animals?
Sources do not give a complete public account. Some transfers happened before the closure, while others were still described as planned when the park shut.
In 2023, Loke and her offspring Elelo moved to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, per Wikipedia. Li’i went to SeaWorld San Antonio, and three manatees moved to ZooTampa and SeaWorld Orlando.
At closure, WSVN said marine mammals would be relocated, with no destinations announced. Islander News said hundreds of animals, including flamingos and penguins, would go to zoos and sanctuaries nationwide.
Animal advocates warned that relocation could be risky for older animals. The Better Vacation reports that animals were moved before closing, but it does not detail each case.
Because sources differ, this guide avoids naming specific destinations for animals beyond the 2023 transfers. Check recent local news for updates.
Where Was the Miami Seaquarium?
The Seaquarium sat on Virginia Key, on Biscayne Bay near downtown Miami. It lay along the Rickenbacker Causeway, which links the mainland with Key Biscayne.
Wikipedia gives coordinates of 25°43′59″N 80°09′56″W but no street address. The site is closed, so do not plan a visit expecting access to the grounds.
Public access may change as construction progresses. The sources reviewed do not say whether any part of the site is open, so check local news first.
Best Alternatives to the Miami Sea Aquarium
No single place replaces the old park, but several options cover the same interests. This table lists alternatives, using figures confirmed on official pages where available.
| Attraction | What it offers | Confirmed details |
| Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science | Aquarium, exhibits and a planetarium show | From $29.95 adult, $24.95 youth (4 to 11), free for ages 3 and under |
| Zoo Miami | Large wildlife zoo | $30 adult, $26 child (3 to 12), free for ages 2 and under |
| Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park | Beach, lighthouse and walking trails | Reported $8 per car, verify |
| Crandon Park Marine and Education Center | Local marine education | Reported free, verify |
| South Pointe Park | Waterfront park | Reported free, verify |
Frost Science
The Frost Museum sits at 1101 Biscayne Blvd in downtown Miami. Its standard ticket includes exhibits, the aquarium and one planetarium show, per the official site.
Hours are 10 am to 5 pm Monday to Thursday and 10 am to 6 pm Friday to Sunday. Ticket prices vary by date, so check before you book.
It is the closest match for an indoor marine visit. The aquarium is smaller than a full marine park, but it suits a half-day with children.
Zoo Miami
Zoo Miami is at 12400 SW 152 St. It is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm, with the last ticket sold at 4 pm.
Special hours apply on some days, including Thanksgiving and Christmas. The zoo also closes early on certain event nights, so check its calendar.
It is far larger than the old Seaquarium, so allow most of a day. Wear comfortable shoes and plan for heat.
Other Marine and Wildlife Options
Several other lists mention Jungle Island, Everglades airboat tours, Biscayne National Park snorkel tours and cruises from Bayfront Park. Prices and hours were not confirmed, so check each operator.
Farther away, Key Largo and the Florida Keys offer dolphin and coral reef experiences. Those trips need a longer day, so plan driving time carefully.
For beaches and outdoor time, read our guide to southern Florida beaches. Our list of the best beaches in Florida covers wider options.
Sample One-Day Plan in Miami Without the Seaquarium
This plan replaces the old park visit with a mix of aquarium, waterfront and outdoor time. Adjust it for weather and your group.
- Morning: arrive at Frost Science when it opens at 10 am.
- Midday: have lunch downtown near Biscayne Boulevard.
- Afternoon: visit Bayfront Park or take a short harbor cruise.
- Late afternoon: finish at a waterfront park such as South Pointe.
For a wildlife-focused day, choose Zoo Miami and give it the whole day. Combining it with another major stop would be too much.
For more ideas across the city, see our guide to places to visit in Miami. If you travel in cooler months, read about things to do in Miami in winter.
Planning Tips for Families
Families often searched for the Seaquarium because of its animal shows. No exact replacement exists, so explain the change to children before you arrive.
Choose attractions with clear hours and book online where possible. Frost Science prices vary by day, and some attractions sell out on weekends.
Miami weather can change quickly, and summer afternoons bring heat and storms. Carry water, sun protection and a plan for indoor time.
Ask about animal welfare standards at any marine or wildlife attraction you choose. Accreditation and clear care policies are reasonable things for visitors to look for.
What Visitors Used to Do at the Seaquarium
Understanding the old appeal helps you choose a replacement. Past visitors came for animal shows, close encounters and the nostalgia of a mid-century Miami landmark.
Those shows are gone, and no official source lists any live programme at the site. If a page promises showtimes today, treat it as outdated.
Modern alternatives lean toward education, conservation and open-air nature. That shift matches the developer’s own plan for a new aquarium without marine mammals.
Should You Still Visit Virginia Key?
The causeway area remains part of Miami’s waterfront, and nearby parks stay open. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is reported at $8 per car, so verify that fee.
The former Seaquarium grounds are a different matter. Construction and redevelopment may limit access, so do not drive there expecting to see the old park.
If you want views of Biscayne Bay, plan for a nearby park or a harbor cruise instead, and check the weather before you set out.
Why Older Pages Still Show Tickets
Some websites have not been updated. They kept prices, hours and show descriptions long after the park closed, which makes them look current in search results.
Check the date on any page, and look for a mention of the closure. If a page lists daily hours with no closure note, treat it as outdated.
Third-party ticket sellers may also keep listings live. Because no admission is possible, do not pay for tickets to a closed attraction.
Conclusion
The Miami Sea Aquarium no longer operates as an attraction, and its site will become a marina and waterfront village. Frost Science and Zoo Miami are reliable choices instead.
Verify hours and prices before you go, and check local news for site updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Miami Sea Aquarium open?
Is Miami Sea Aquarium the same as Miami Seaquarium?
Why did the Miami Seaquarium close?
What is replacing the Miami Seaquarium?
When will the new aquarium open?
What happened to the animals?
Can I still buy Miami Seaquarium tickets?
What is the best alternative in Miami?
Where was the Miami Seaquarium?
