All tours require a two-week advanced reservation, a deposit, and 72 hours notice of cancellation. Tour dates are not guaranteed until your confirmation notice from the Aquarena Education Office has been processed. The listed group rates apply to any group of 15 people or more. Prices subject to change without notice. Listed prices are for school groups, all other groups please visit our Private Group Tours Page.

To reserve a tour time please fill out the Tour Reservation Form or call the Education Office at 512-245-7540. Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions Page for more information.

Group Glass Bottom Boat Tour

Appropriate for All Ages

Price:

September through February: Students $3, Adults $5
March through August: Students $3.50, Adults $5.50

Length:

30 minutes

As students glide across Spring Lake in Glass Bottom Boats, they have a rare opportunity to see underwater life from a different perspective. View over 1,000 springs that bubble up 150 million gallons a day of clear water from the Edwards Aquifer to form Spring Lake, the headwaters of the San Marcos River. Declared a Critical Habitat by the Federal Government in 1980, Spring Lake is the home of five endangered species. Tour time is approximately 30 minutes. Your group may choose to self-guide through the aquarium, wetlands walk, and Texas Rivers Center before or after your boat ride at no additional charge. You may download a map of the park on our Frequently Asked Questions Page.

General Tour

Appropriate for All Ages

Price:

September through February: Students $5.50, Adults $6.50
March through August: Students $6, Adults $7

Length:

1.5 hours

For schools in a time crunch this hour and a half long fully guided tour includes all the basics of Aquarena Center: a Glass Bottom Boat Ride, a walk through our Aquarium Exhibits, and our wetlands walk.

On the Water's Edge

Appropriate for 9th through 12th

Offered March through October weather permitting

Price:

March through October: Students $10, Adults $10
Length: 2.5 through 3 hours (varies)

A visit to Aquarena's Spring Lake and the nearby river gives students a concrete background in understanding the impact of exotic species on diverse ecosystems, endangered plants and animals and the effect of pollution on a habitat. Students will conduct macroinvertibrate testing on Aquarena property and at an alternate location down river. A guest speaker will present information and conduct fun activities on non-point source pollution or water testing when available.

On the Water's Edge programs can accommodate groups of 15-50 students. Students will wade into the water so each person will need to bring an extra pair of dry clothes and shoes or wear water shoes and swim suit. Schools are responsible for providing their own transportation to the river. This tour includes a 30-minute Glass Bottom Boat Ride. Program times are flexible, generally lasting 3 hours.

Modified 2- Hour On the Water's Edge

Appropriate for 9th through 12th

Offered Year Round

Price:

September through February: Students $6, Adults $7
March through August: Students $6.50, Adults $7.50

Length:

2 hours

This tour is a modified version of the On the Water's Edge program listed above. This tour will include the boat ride, Aquarium, Texas Rivers Center, Wetlands Walk, and macroinvertibrate testing on Aquarena property. On request, when possible, a guest speaker will present information and conduct fun activities on non-point source pollution or water testing. This program can accommodate large groups.

Aquarium Job Shadowing

Appropriate for 8th through 12th

Maximum of 6 participants per day

Price:

Year Round: Students $15, Adults $15 (Adult supervision is not required)

Your student will spend the day learning what it's like to be an aquarium technician first hand. Our aquarium staff will mentor your student through daily aquarium maintainance like feeding tanks, checking water quality, and general aquarium upkeep. This tour includes a 30-minute Glass Bottom Boat Ride. This program is great for any student interested in a related career path. This program length is flexible generally lasting 3 hours.