Texas State Aquarium Reopened Friday May 22

The Texas State Aquarium has Reopened. We reopened on Friday May 22, under “Phase 2” of The Governor’s Report to Safely Open Texas.

The Texas State Aquarium, in coordination with local and state officials, reopens to the public with the primary goal to keep guests, employees, volunteers, and the animal collection healthy. The following operating procedures and practices are in place to minimize the potential risk of exposure while offering a safe opportunity for guests to engage with animals.

Due to some changes in our regular programming, we are offering an online discount of up to $5 per ticket.  Please note that all of the Texas State Aquarium’s exhibits are open.  Our H-E-B Splash Park will be open weekends only and operating at 50% capacity.  The Whataburger 4D theater is currently closed. Animal Encounters, Tortuga Chats, and Sting Ray Lagoon Feed have resumed and keeper chats are taking place throughout the day. Our DOLPHINS! presentation is currently unavailable, however unscheduled dolphin trainer chats will take place throughout the day.  Also, you can still see the dolphins from the Dolphin Bay stadium or the underwater Dolphin Room. 

ONLINE TICKET PURCHASES ARE REQUESTED FOR GUESTS

Online ticket purchases are requested for guests. Texas State Aquarium hours will be 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.  Café Aqua will also open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Pepsi Shoreline Grill hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our H-E-B Splash Park will be open weekends only. Tickets for the Aquarium can be purchased online at www.texasstateaquarium.org/tickets. Memberships can be purchase online or by calling 361-881-1340.

Important Face Covering Update

In accordance with the Texas Governor’s mask order, the Texas State Aquarium is requiring everyone over 10 years of age to wear a face-covering inside the facility. While outdoors, guests must also wear a mask when unable to maintain a proper social distance from others. Exceptions to the Governor’s mask order include children nine and under and people with certain medical conditions. Complimentary masks are available upon request.

We strongly encourage children over the age of two and up to age 10 to wear face coverings during their visit to the Aquarium as well, especially while indoors. Exceptions to this rule include people with certain medical conditions, as outlined in the Governor’s mask order.

If guests do not have a proper facial covering, a complimentary mask will be provided. Face coverings may be removed briefly while you are eating or drinking. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe and healthy!

WHAT THE TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM IS DOING TO KEEP YOU SAFE

• Online ticket purchases are requested to minimize touchpoints at the entrance.
• All Aquarium staff members and volunteers will be required to wear face masks while working indoors. In addition to the Employee Face Mask policy above, TSA team members interacting directly with guests and handling payments must wear gloves during transactions. All Texas State Aquarium employees and contractors will be temperature screened prior to entering the building.
• Additional hand sanitizer and handwashing stations will be found throughout the Aquarium.
• The Aquarium will maintain its high standards of cleanliness. Surfaces such as handrails, exhibit viewing windows, restrooms, and elevators will be disinfected frequently.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN PLANNING A VISIT TO THE TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM

• Texas State Aquarium hours will be 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.
• Café Aqua will open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and the Pepsi Shoreline Grill will open from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• The Aquarium will limit the number of guests allowed to visit at a time.
• Online ticket and parking purchases are requested.
• Members will continue to receive free admission. However, access may be restricted due to limited capacity.
• Pre-paid parking will be available online during the ticket purchase process.
• Members do not need to purchase parking in advance and will continue to receive free parking.
• Where possible, contactless transactions will be encouraged.
• Physical distancing is strongly encouraged and floor graphics in the entry queue will help everyone remain 6 feet apart.
• The Validation Kiosk and Information Desk have a clear acrylic partition installed. Tickets (paper or electronic) and membership cards will be validated through an opening in the acrylic.
• Strollers will be available for rent and wheelchairs are complimentary based on a first-come-first-served basis.  Each item will be sanitized before and after use.
• Guests will follow a dedicated, one-way flow throughout the Aquarium.
• Touch Experiences will not be available at Tentacles, but guests will be able to view the exhibits.
• The H-E-B Splash Park is now open at 50% capacity from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekends only.
• Daily public programs and the 4D Theater will not be available until further notice.
• Café Aqua and Shoreline Grill transaction points will have a clear acrylic partition installed for safe transactions. Shoreline Grill will have no indoor seating.
• The Weston’s Library will be closed until further notice.
• Bathrooms will be available throughout the Aquarium and we encourage guests to maintain physical distancing while accessing them. The Gulf of Mexico Family Restroom and Dolphin Bay Underwater Restrooms will be closed to limit access to high-touch surfaces.