Explore Sea Life Florida Legoland, a new aquarium experience featuring sharks, stingrays, and hands-on exhibits made for children and families.

Several months ago, we took a hard-hat tour of what would become Sea Life Florida. Early last month, we learned that many of the animals had arrived at Sea Life Florida Legoland. In late May, we got a sneak peek of Sea Life Florida through some photos sent out by Legoland Florida Resort. Many changes have been made to enable the opening of Sea Life Florida at Legoland Florida Resort. We were invited to a special media preview this morning, before it opened to the general public. Overall, we were impressed with the work that went into creating this new attraction.

What is Sea Life Florida Legoland?

Sea Life Florida is a newly opened aquarium located within Legoland Florida Resort in Winter Haven. It offers an immersive marine experience tailored for families and children, combining interactive exhibits with a strong emphasis on ocean conservation.

Highlights of Sea Life Florida Legoland include:

Exhibits: The aquarium boasts 25 interactive exhibits, including a 150,000-gallon ocean habitat. Notable areas include a freshwater gallery, Stingray Bay, and a hands-on invertebrate touch pool.

Marine Life: Home to over 3,000 animals representing 150 species, visitors can encounter blacktip reef sharks, blue-spotted stingrays, big-belly seahorses, and more.

Design Theme: Unique to this location is the “Theme Park Under the Sea” concept, featuring coral castles, carousel hideaways, and cozy hotel-like spaces for marine life.

Ocean Tunnel: A 180-degree ocean tunnel provides guests with an immersive view of the underwater world.

Sea Life Florida Legoland

This brand-new world beneath the surface officially opened to families today, June 6, as Sea Life Florida celebrated its grand opening inside Legoland Florida Resort. This interactive, family-friendly aquarium created the first theme park under the sea. It also invites guests to dive into a fully immersive underwater experience designed especially with kids in mind.

Staying in line with fun, child-friendly experiences, the “oh-fish-all” kelp cutting ceremony included live performances from sea-inspired characters, including a larger-than-life manta ray puppet.  Special community guests included students from nearby Garden Grove Elementary, as well as Sea Life Aquarium’s signature Sharky character.  The event commemorated more than just the opening of a new attraction. It launched a mission to inspire the next generation of ocean lovers.

Inside Sea Life Florida, guests will discover more than 150 species and 3,000 creatures, from graceful stingrays and curious pufferfish to mysterious jellyfish. At the heart of the experience is a 180-degree ocean tunnel designed to be a “theme park under the sea.” The tunnel is specifically structured so even little ones can stand eye-to-eye with sharks and rays as they glide overhead.

At this “theme park under the sea,” guests can join the animals in their journey through an underwater castle, watch as they pass through a haunted house, and find their spot on a Ferris wheel made out of clams. From specially filtered water systems to low-stress lighting and thoughtfully crafted habitats, every element prioritizes animal well-being. It is immersive for guests, but always safe and enriching for the creatures who call it home.

President of Legoland Florida Resort, Franceen Gonzales

“This isn’t just an Aquarium—it’s a space where children can learn to care about the ocean by seeing it through their own eyes,” said president of Legoland Florida Resort Franceen Gonzales. “We’re proud to launch SEA LIFE Florida as a place of both play and purpose.”

“This has been an amazing journey to bring this passion project come to life. We want to help children truly connect with animals, by bringing the animals to their level,” said Sea Life Florida curator Sarah McMahon. “When they see a stingray glide right past their face or lock eyes with a curious octopus, something amazing happens. That spark of curiosity turns into respect. And respect is the first step to protecting our ocean.”

Sea Life Florida is located just steps from the entrance of Legoland Florida, continuing the resort’s mission of being a multi-day destination with themed attractions built for families with children aged 2 to 12. With interactive zones and conservation touchpoints throughout, the Aquarium offers an experience that goes beyond entertainment and is genuinely educational.

World Oceans Day

The opening of Sea Life Florida during World Oceans Day weekend is both a nod to the marine animals at the heart of the experience and a celebration of the ocean’s vital role in the world. That mission extends beyond the exhibits, inviting guests to take small actions that make a big impact. Throughout the month of June, a portion of Legoland Florida ticket purchases can be rounded up at checkout to support the Sea Life Trust, a global charity dedicated to protecting marine life and its habitats.

As part of the Resort’s sustainability efforts, all Parks across Legoland Florida Resort, including Sea Life Florida, Legoland Theme Park, Water Park, and Peppa Pig Theme Park, will now offer reusable shopping bags resort-wide. Guests can explore Sea Life Florida with standalone tickets, bundled admission with Legoland Florida Resort, or on-site upgrades. Plus, guests will have the chance to dive in all summer long with the Summer Resort Play Pass. This is a limited-time offer that provides guests with unlimited admission to Legoland Florida Resort and Sea Life Florida through September 12, valid with the purchase of a one-day paid admission. Pay for a day, play all season! Dive deeper at www.VisitSEALIFE.com/Florida

More Photos From Opening Day at Sea Life Florida Legoland Resort

Sea Life Florida was designed to allow all guests to navigate through it and enjoy the experience easily.

As you enter Sea Life Florida Legoland Resort, guests will find a photographer and a photo opportunity before they enter the main section of the aquarium.

For more theme park-related news, visit MSM News.

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