Established in 1988, The Pier Aquarium is a private, non-profit aquarium and marine education center located in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida at The Pier. It showcases 17 tanks of live fish and other marine life and educational exhibits on the first and second floors and an outdoor marine laboratory and teaching unit, the Roy G. Harrell, Jr. Education Station, located on the Pier approach. 　

Its mission is to enhance the public’s understanding of the value and fragility of the local and global marine environment through research, education and personal experiences. The Pier Aquarium serves as the "public face" for the St. Petersburg Ocean Team’s research, innovation and technology. The Ocean Team is a consortium of 14 marine science and oceanographic institutions and environmental research agencies in the Southeast and one of the top such industry clusters in the nation.

More than 85,500 visitors, including 27,000 who participate in our scheduled educational programs, come to The Pier Aquarium annually to attend our Saturday programs, the annual Spa Beach Splash free marine discovery day and Summer Marine Adventures summer camp. Volunteers contribute more than 4,600 hours each year.

At The Pier, three cylinder tanks in the first floor lobby are your first introduction to “Fresh Fish Theater” featuring live animals from the world ocean! Then go to the second floor to discover the fun of learning through an intimate look at the inhabitants of our 14 aquariums.

Explore our touch tank. Listen to the sounds of the sea. Watch a video and see the impact of a hurricane or Red Tide. Learn about threatened and protected species in Tampa Bay. Shopping in our museum store can be educational as well. Items for sale include marine science books for all ages, videos, music, clothing and fish-themed gifts and toys.

The Pier Aquarium’s outdoor and indoor exhibits and animal encounters translate marine science information and research being done right here in Tampa Bay to students, teachers, residents and visitors for a personal, fun and entertaining experience!

The action at The Pier Aquarium never stops with daily scheduled activities including an up-close animal encounter and exploration with our Touch Tank Experience. Scheduled every day from 1-4pm, it includes a 3pm meal time. Feed our fish and receive an “Official Fish Feeder” certificate.

Book Nook our first Saturday of the month event, is funded in part by the Pinellas County Commission through the Cultural Affairs Department Cultural Development Grant Program and Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater. The St. Petersburg Times is a media sponsor for many of our events.

The Pier Aquarium has announced an expansion to a 11,500 sq. ft. facility called the Marine Discovery Center & Aquarium and its intent to move to John's Pass Village at Madeira Beach, Florida by the end of December 2012.