The Dive Aquarium at the Frost Museum

The Frost Science Museum — formally the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science — is one of Miami's landmark cultural institutions, located in Museum Park on Biscayne Bay adjacent to the Pérez Art Museum. The aquarium component, called The Dive, is the centerpiece that draws families from across South Florida and beyond.

The Dive's signature feature is a 500,000-gallon cylindrical oculus tank that visitors experience from below. You stand at the bottom, look up, and watch sharks, rays, and thousands of fish swim overhead in a 360-degree ocean environment. The visual effect is genuinely stunning — even for adults who've been to many aquariums, this specific presentation creates a wow moment that's hard to replicate elsewhere.

Kids typically stop talking when they first experience it, which is its own kind of endorsement.

The broader Frost Science Museum adds substantial depth to the aquarium visit. A planetarium with high-resolution dome shows brings the universe to eye level. Science exhibit floors cover technology, environmental science, and Florida ecosystems with the hands-on approach that makes science museums worthwhile for children.

The location in downtown Miami along Biscayne Bay is beautiful — Museum Park and the surrounding waterfront make this a complete destination. The Metromover (free downtown circulator) stops nearby, making it a surprisingly practical choice for families staying in South Beach or downtown who don't want to deal with parking.

Allow 3-5 hours for a complete experience including the aquarium, multiple science floors, and a planetarium show. Buy timed tickets online to ensure entry and check planetarium showtimes.