SEA LIFE Florida at LEGOLAND: What Parents Should Know Before Visiting

Opening May 23, 2025, the brand-new SEA LIFE Florida Aquarium at LEGOLAND Florida Resort is more than just another stop at the park — it’s an immersive, thoughtfully designed experience for families. During a recent behind-the-scenes tour, we got a closer look at what makes this aquarium special and why it’s worth adding to your LEGOLAND day.

A Kid-Friendly Introduction to the Ocean

SEA LIFE Florida is designed to be a child’s first aquarium experience. It will feature over 3,000 creatures across 150 species, including freshwater fish, stingrays, and blacktip reef sharks. Everything from the layout to the exhibits has been crafted with kids (especially ages 2 to 12) in mind.

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I have visited SEA LIFE Orlando a number of times, it is one of our favorite indoor places on a hot, cold, or rainy day. And as I walked through SEA LIFE Florida I wondered if this location would be much different.

I am happy to report this new location brings along some of my favorite elements about SEA LIFE, including the kid-level viewing areas and diversity of exhibits.

Blake Boyter, Senior Project Manager with Merlin Entertainments, shared that designing for both the animals and young guests is a delicate balance. “Each individual tank is set up exactly for the animals that are going to be in that tank,” he explained. “Whether it’s freshwater, Stingray Bay, or our blacktip reef sharks, every detail matters.”

Highly Themed Spaces and Kid-Level Views

One of the most impressive parts of SEA LIFE Florida is the attention to detail in the theming. Each area is carefully decorated to reflect the habitat and story of the creatures within — from vibrant coral reefs to a spooky haunted house for moray eels. These highly themed environments help spark kids’ curiosity and create fun photo ops throughout.

More importantly, the exhibits are built with children in mind. Most tanks include several viewing spots at child height, so even toddlers and preschoolers can have a clear, exciting view of the underwater action without needing to be lifted up.

Highlights to Look Forward To

• Touch Pools and Freshwater Galleries: Hands-on learning opportunities let kids see and touch some of the creatures that live in Florida’s rivers and estuaries.
• Stingray Bay: This brand-new concept is the first of its kind for SEA LIFE and blends interactive learning with an up-close view of gentle stingrays gliding through the water.
• A 180-Degree Ocean Tunnel: Get up-close views of sea creatures swimming overhead in this walk-through tunnel, designed to feel like you’re walking under the sea.
• Creepy-Cool Fun: Don’t miss the “haunted house” habitat designed for moray eels, with spooky hideouts made just for them — a perfect mix of educational and entertaining.
• Theme Park Under the Sea: The grand finale of your visit to SEA LIFE Florida is the adorable theme park themed area for fish to swim around in the large ocean tank, a fitting tribute to Central Florida’s specialty.

A Closer Look at Animal Care

Behind the tanks and tunnels, SEA LIFE Florida has an entire infrastructure focused on caring for the animals — something the team takes seriously.

Curator Sarah McMahon explained that the aquarium includes a small on-site medical pool, which allows staff to provide treatment or rest time for any fish that need it — without the stress of fully removing them from the water.

“We’re able to bring them in here without actually having to remove them from the water,” she said. “Any kind of medical evaluation that we may need to do, or if an animal just needs a break, this is where we’ll do it.”

In addition to veterinary care, the water is enriched with minerals like calcium and magnesium. “Things that are good for humans are also good for the fish as well,” McMahon shared.

Built for Florida — and for the Future

What truly sets SEA LIFE Florida apart is the cutting-edge technology working behind the scenes. The Life Support System (LSS) is built with multiple redundancies to protect the animals — and keep everything running smoothly — even during a Florida hurricane.

“This is the most technologically advanced SEA LIFE we’ve ever built,” Boyter shared. “We’ve got top-of-the-line UV filtration, and denitrification systems, and we even use glass filtration media instead of sand for better water purification.”

Everything inside — from the synthetic coral to the filtration systems — is chosen with safety and sustainability in mind.

SEA LIFE Florida Map

Although a formal map is not yet available, this floor plan makes it easy to see what exhibits are available at SEA LIFE Florida at LEGOLAND. Use the below floor plan to see what you’ll experience. During my many SEA LIFE Orlando visits I have spent about 30-45 minutes moving through the attraction, with my son.

I’ve witnessed countless guests breeze through SEA LIFE only to end up disappointed because the experience was not that long. You choose how long to spend in each area, so don’t rush it!

Parent Tips for Visiting SEA LIFE Florida

• Indoor Break: The aquarium is indoors, making it a great midday break during a busy theme park visit.
• Use the App or Map: With over 25 interactive exhibits, it’s easy to miss something. Check ahead so your child doesn’t miss the areas they’ll love most.
• Expect a Cooler Environment: The interior is chilled for the sea life — bring a light sweater for little ones.
• Interactive Learning: Check the schedule for special touch tank sessions. Or add-on the behind the scenes tour
• Let the Kids Lead: With kid-height viewing windows and eye-catching decor, SEA LIFE Florida is one attraction where little ones can take the lead.

SEA LIFE Florida Aquarium opens May 23, 2025, at LEGOLAND Florida and is designed as a perfect first aquarium experience for kids. With highly themed exhibits, child-height viewing windows, and over 3,000 sea creatures, it’s both educational and fun.

Parents will appreciate the thoughtful design, hands-on learning, and behind-the-scenes focus on animal care and safety.

There are other new experiences at LEGOLAND Florida Resort including the LEGO Ferrari Build and Race and new LEGOLAND Hotel rooms, including new DUPLO rooms! By the way, if you are visiting LEGOLAND this summer, you can enjoy one of our favorite 4th of July fireworks displays.

SEA LIFE Florida
Address: One LEGOLAND Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884 (located inside LEGOLAND at the park entrance)
1-Day LEGOLAND PARK + SEA LIFE
Advance purchase prices. Prices per ticket vary by day and by ticket type
Starting From $89 per person before taxes & fees (Front Gate $139 per person)

SEA LIFE TRUST

The SEA LIFE TRUST owns and operates marine wildlife sanctuaries (including the world’s first Beluga Whale Sanctuary in Iceland), runs inspiring conservation campaigns and funds projects and education programs that champion the need to protect our oceans. Through its global BREED, RESCUE, PROTECT program and dedicated Conservation, Welfare and Engagement team, SEA LIFE’s team of expert marine biologists pioneer global breeding projects which may one day provide a lifeline to the ocean’s endangered species, as well as nursing sick creatures back to health and returning them to the wild. If they can’t survive in the wild, they are given a safe home for life.