AquariumUS

Miami Beach Aquarium

The Miami Beach Aquarium, though no longer standing, holds a significant place in the history of Miami Beach as one of its earliest and most ambitious tourist attractions.

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The Miami Beach Aquarium, though no longer standing, holds a significant place in the history of Miami Beach as one of its earliest and most ambitious tourist attractions. Opened in the early 1920s, this pioneering facility offered visitors an unprecedented glimpse into the vibrant underwater world of South Florida's coastal waters. It was designed to be a world-class destination, providing education and entertainment through its collection of local marine life. Imagine stepping into a grand structure with corridors ingeniously laid out like a Maltese cross, leading to fifty exhibition tanks. These tanks were bathed in natural light, showcasing a dazzling array of tropical fish caught within a 50-mile radius of Miami Beach. A particular highlight was what was considered, at the time, possibly the largest glass-fronted tank in the world, measuring an impressive 36 feet long, 15 feet wide, and 10 feet deep, capable of housing fish up to 12 feet in length. This innovative aquarium provided many visitors their very first exposure to the exotic beauty of tropical fish, setting a precedent for marine life exhibits in the region. While the original Miami Beach Aquarium operated for only a few short years before its building was repurposed, its legacy as a foundational piece of Miami Beach's tourism and scientific exploration is undeniable. Today, the site where this grand aquarium once stood is occupied by modern condominiums, but its spirit lives on in the city's rich history of marine appreciation and environmental consciousness. Turn your visit into a safari! Use the Snappit app to scan and log wildlife sightings here.

The Miami Beach Aquarium and Biological Laboratory opened its doors on January 1, 1921, (some sources say 1920) marking a significant moment in the development of Miami Beach as a tourist destination. The vision for this facility was largely driven by James Allison, a business partner and friend of Miami Beach pioneer Carl Fisher, with further support from John Oliver La Gorce, assistant editor of National Geographic Magazine, who charted the Miami Beach Aquarium Association in 1919. Louis Mowbray, former superintendent of the New York Aquarium, directed the facility. Its establishment was part of a broader effort to diversify the city's offerings and attract wealthy visitors, emphasizing both entertainment and scientific research. Despite initial excitement and contributions from prominent figures like Alexander Graham Bell on its advisory committee, the aquarium faced financial difficulties. By December 1924, it was announced that the aquarium would not reopen for the 1925 season. In February 1925, the building was sold to Jerome Cherbino, who transformed it into a nine-story hotel named The Floridian, which later became the Biscaya. The historic building was eventually torn down in March 1987, and the land is now home to the Bentley Bay Condominiums. Following its closure, some of its equipment was reportedly used for an aquarium on Fisher Island in 1927. The next major public aquarium in the area, the Miami Seaquarium, would not open until 1955.

What to do here

Visitors interested in the aquarium's legacy can research its history at local libraries or historical societies, such as the Miami Design Preservation League, and visit the general area on Miami Beach where this pioneering attraction once stood.

Seasonal info

Not applicable to a non-existent venue.

Accessibility

The current site of the Bentley Bay Condominiums would be generally accessible in terms of public sidewalks and nearby areas, but no specific features are related to the former aquarium.

Don't miss

World's Largest Tank (at the time)

Collection of vibrant local tropical fish

Wildlife you might spot

Each card links to a full Explore page with photos, traits, and fun facts.

Nurse Shark

Angelfish

Grouper

Moray Eel

Snap map for this place

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Good to know before you go

Consult historical resources

For an in-depth understanding, visit local history museums or libraries in Miami Beach to view photographs and documents related to the aquarium.

Explore the former location

While the building is gone, you can visit the area around the Bentley Bay Condominiums near the MacArthur Causeway to envision where this historic attraction once stood.

Learn about early Miami Beach tourism

Contextualize the aquarium's role by researching the broader development of Miami Beach in the early 20th century.

Differentiate from other venues

Be aware that the "Miami Beach Aquarium" is distinct from the later "Miami Seaquarium" (which closed in 2025) or the modern "Frost Science Museum Aquarium."

Look for historical markers

Keep an eye out for any plaques or markers in the vicinity that might commemorate the site's past.

Frequently asked questions

: No, the original Miami Beach Aquarium closed in 1925. Its building was later repurposed as a hotel and eventually torn down in 1987. The site is now occupied by condominiums.
: The Miami Beach Aquarium primarily showcased tropical fish and other marine life caught within a 50-mile radius of Miami Beach. It was particularly noted for a very large tank that could house fish up to 12 feet in length, providing visitors with their first look at local exotic species.
: The land where the Miami Beach Aquarium once stood is now home to the Bentley Bay Condominiums. This area is on Biscayne Bay, just north of the terminus of the MacArthur Causeway.