10% Off
Indianapolis Zoo
Clearwater Marine Aquarium Promo Codes & Coupons May 2026
Best Deal
5 days ago
25 Uses
10% off
Takes 10% off storewide. It is one of the most reliable general codes to try first in your online cart.
5 days ago
12 Uses
20% off
Shaves 20% off select retail purchases or souvenirs, which is great if you want to grab a plush toy without paying the full tourist premium.
5 days ago
26 Uses
10% off
Cuts 10% off select items. It is typically sent to new email subscribers, but it frequently works for general ticket bookings too.
5 days ago
27 Uses
$10 off
Slashes $10 off standard daily admission. Just note that this one won't apply to the cheaper Florida resident passes.
Beating the parking fee and other arrival tips
Getting to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is simple enough, but the $15 parking fee in the garage can be a bit of a shock right at the start. It's convenient since it leads straight to the 3rd-floor entrance, but if you’re looking to save that cash for lunch, look into the Clearwater Ferry or the Jolley Trolley. The Trolley drops off right at Island Estates. If you do use the garage and you're a member, don't forget to grab your 50% off validation sticker at the ticket window before you head back to the car. One quick note for EV owners: there are 4 charging stations on Level 2 that are free to use, though you’ll need the ChargeUp app to get them started.
Inside the facility, you'll need to be your own gear hauler. Unlike most big theme parks, this place doesn't rent out strollers. You can bring your own as long as it's smaller than 36" x 52". They do have manual wheelchairs for $5 if someone in the group needs one, but you’ll have to put down a $50 refundable deposit—and they won't take a driver's license as a placeholder, so have the card or cash ready. For a smoother experience, try to walk in right when they open at 10:00 AM to beat the mid-day crowd.
When it comes to food, the Shark Bites Cafe on the 3rd floor is the main option, serving burgers and flatbreads. It's decent, but a family of four will easily spend $60 or $70. The good news is that they allow personal coolers under 24" x 15" x 18". Just keep in mind that for the safety of the animals, you can't have any food or drinks on the 2nd floor or near the exhibits. Your best bet is to head down to the 1st floor where there are shaded picnic tables and benches to eat your own snacks in peace.
Navigating the checkout for the best possible deal
Standard tickets aren't exactly cheap, with adults at $41.95 and kids at $32.95. Honestly, the smartest move you can make is checking the calendar. If it’s someone’s actual birthday, they get in for $0. You just have to bring a birth certificate or ID and redeem it at the ticket window. If you aren't visiting on a birthday, booking online in advance usually saves you a few bucks over the walk-up rate. If you're planning on seeing other spots like Busch Gardens or ZooTampa, the Tampa Bay CityPASS is a much better value at $149.95, which usually cuts the total cost by about 55%.
Military members and K-12 teachers get a solid 20% discount through the Appreciation Admission program. You'll need to show your ID at the gate. Even better, if you work for the City of Clearwater, you can get 50% off just by showing your employee badge. If you think you’ll visit more than once a year, the $70 Ocean Explorer membership is a no-brainer. It pays for itself by the second visit and gives you 30% off your food and 10% off anything in the gift shop.
- Watch the calendar for third-party savings. Undercover Tourist often has deals for arrivals between May 26 and September 26, 2026, that can save you up to $17 per ticket.
- Use event-specific promo codes. If you're attending a special night like "Lights by the Bay," code DRONES624 has been known to take 15% off the price.
- Check reciprocal benefits. A membership here doesn't just work at CMA; it also gets you 50% off general admission at over 30 other spots, including the Florida Aquarium and Mote Marine Laboratory.
- Look for bundled boat tours. If you want to get out on the water, adding a Sea Life Safari tour at the time of your initial admission purchase is usually cheaper than trying to add it on later in the day.
One thing to keep in mind is that prices can fluctuate seasonally, so it's always worth a quick look at their official site right before you pull the trigger on a purchase.
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Help center
FAQ about discounts
Straight answers — so you can grab the deal and go.
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Can I get free admission on my birthday?
Yes, you can visit for $0 on your actual birthday. You just need to show up at the ticketing window with a valid photo ID, driver's license, or a birth certificate if you're bringing a minor. This offer is strictly for on-site redemption on the exact day of your birth and cannot be booked online or combined with other promotions. It's an easy way to save some cash, so plan your calendar accordingly.
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How much is parking at the aquarium garage?
Standard parking at the attached garage is $15 per day, but members get a 50% discount. To secure the $7.50 rate, members must validate their parking ticket at the guest services window before returning to the garage. If you want to bypass the fee entirely, you can use public transit like the Jolley Trolley North Route or the Clearwater Ferry from Coachman Park. For those driving electric, there are 4 Level 2 charging stations on the garage's second level that are free to use once you pay the standard garage fee.
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Am I allowed to bring my own food and drinks inside?
Yes, you can bring your own snacks and drinks as long as your cooler is smaller than 24" x 15" x 18". This is a great way to save since feeding a family at the on-site cafe gets expensive quickly. Just keep in mind that for animal safety, food and drinks are strictly banned on the 2nd floor and near any animal exhibits. You can enjoy your packed lunches at the shaded benches and picnic tables located on the 1st floor.
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Can I rent a stroller at the aquarium?
No, Clearwater Marine Aquarium does not offer stroller rentals of any kind. You'll want to pack your own stroller from home, making sure it doesn't exceed the maximum allowed size of 36" x 52". If you happen to forget yours, you'll be stuck carrying the kids around the multi-level facility. They do rent manual wheelchairs for $5 a day, but these require a $50 refundable deposit and they won't accept a driver's license as collateral.
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Is there a special discount for Florida residents?
Yes, Florida residents get discounted general admission on most dates of the year. To qualify, adults must show a valid Florida driver's license, state ID card, or a voter registration card at check-in. The aquarium also occasionally runs a special Florida Resident Pass online, which gives you unlimited visits for a set 6-month period but doesn't include other membership perks.
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What kind of discounts do teachers and military members get?
Active-duty military and K-12 teachers receive a 20% discount on daily general admission tickets. You can book these Appreciation Admission tickets online ahead of your visit. Just make sure to bring your valid military or school ID to show at the gate. If you're a retired or disabled veteran, you can often secure even deeper ticket discounts by purchasing directly through the MacDill Air Force Base ticket office before your trip.
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Do you accept other zoo or aquarium memberships for a discount?
Yes, members of participating Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) facilities receive 50% off general admission. Local spots like the Florida Aquarium participate in this reciprocity network, allowing you to easily slash your entry costs in half. You just need to bring your physical membership card and a matching photo ID to the ticket window to claim the savings. It's always smart to call guest services at 727-441-1790 ahead of time to confirm your specific home zoo's current status on the reciprocal list.
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Are there hidden fees for strollers, wheelchairs, or internal shuttles?
No, there are no hidden transit fees or mandatory shuttle costs, but manual wheelchair rentals cost $5 a day with a $50 deposit. The facility is fully walkable across its four levels, so you won't need to pay for shuttles or monorails.Optional additions like the popular 90-minute Sea Life Safari boat cruise start around $30.95 per person. If you're looking to stick to a tight budget, you can easily skip these add-ons and still enjoy the standard exhibits, daily presentations, and the stingray touch tank for the price of general admission.