The Pier Aquarium is a non-profit public aquarium and marine education center located on the second floor of The Pier at St. Petersburg. Their mission is to share information with visitors and students about issues concerning our most valuable natural resource, the marine environment. The Pier Aquarium invites you to explore diverse marine environments from around the world, stepping out into our own backyard in Tampa Bay, and voyaging to the California kelp forests, the Caribbean, and Pacific coral reefs. A variety of educational exhibits and programs, along with the large permanent tank environments give visitors an up close look at marine plants and animals both within and beyond the Tampa Bay area.