Jacksonville Zoo’s new manatee exhibit opening soon. Get an early look

The new J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River Habitat and VyStar SkyScape Entrance at Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens are days away from opening, after years of construction.

Construction on the two projects began back in October 2023, totaling $72 million.

About a month ago, the 2026 Toast to Conservation Gala attendees, including wildlife conservationist and Australian zookeeper Robert Irwin, got an exclusive first look at the Manatee River Habitat.

Now, guests can finally visit Alpine, Francesco and Cullen, three manatees the zoo rescued and transferred to Jacksonville for continued rehabilitation, at the exhibit’s grand opening this week.

Here’s a sneak peek of the zoo’s new addition, and when manatee lovers can finally visit.

Sneak peek: New Manatee River Habitat set to open at Jacksonville Zoo

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Employees of the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, stand in the entrance to the $72 million J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River Habitat and VyStar SkyScape Entrance Tuesday March 3, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

Take a video tour of Jacksonville Zoo’s new Manatee River HabitatWhen will the new Jacksonville Zoo manatee habitat open?

The J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River Habitat grand opening is slated for 9 a.m. Friday, March 6, 2026.

How to get Jacksonville Zoo tickets

Tickets for Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens must be purchased online. Here are prices:

Total experience tickets include admission, Frozen in Time: An Ice Age Adventure, 4D Theater, train and carousel rides, Nature Agents adventure and animal feedings.

Weekends and holidays (purchased day of): $46.95 – $51.95

Weekdays (purchased day of): $36.95 – $41.95

Weekends and holidays (purchased in advance): $40.95 – $45.95

Weekdays (purchased in advance): $30.95 – $35.95

General admission tickets only cover admission to the zoo.

Weekends and holidays (purchased day of): $36.95 – $41.95

Weekdays (purchased day of): $26.95 – $31.95

Weekends and holidays (purchased in advance): $30.95 – $35.95

Weekdays (purchased in advance): $20.95 – $25.95

See new J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River Habitat and VyStar SkyScape entrance at Jacksonville Zoo

Chloe Dean and her daughter Garden Dean, 8, walks by the entrance to the $72 million J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River Habitat and VyStar SkyScape Entrance Tuesday March 3, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

A media preview of the $72 millionJ. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River Habitat and VyStar SkyScape Entrance was held Tuesday March 3, 2026 ahead of its public grand opening on March 6 at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

A screen in the dome, names the $72 million J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River Habitat and VyStar SkyScape Entrance Tuesday March 3, 2026 at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

Manatees Alpine, Francesco and Cullen recover at Jacksonville Zoo

Photographer Stephen Walcott takes video of the three rehabilitating manatee, Alpine, Francesco and Cullen at the $72 million J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River Habitat and VyStar SkyScape Entrance Tuesday March 3, 2026 at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

Shannon Beckham takes a selfie as Cullen, one of the three rehabilitating manatees, swims by her during a media preview of the $72 million J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River Habitat and VyStar SkyScape Entrance Tuesday March 3, 2026 at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Jacksonville, Fla. The exhibit opens Friday March 6th. There are presently three young manatee rehabilitating at the facility to be eventually released. Depending on the size of manatees, the facility can handle up to about 20 manatees to rehab at one time. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

Cullen, one of the three rehabilitating manatees, feeds on lettuce at the J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River Habitat and VyStar SkyScape Entrance Tuesday March 3, 2026 at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

Francesco and Cullen feed on lettuce at the J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River Habitat and VyStar SkyScape Entrance Tuesday March 3, 2026 at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

A behind-the-scenes look at maintenance at Jacksonville Zoo’s Manatee River Habitat

Alex Troutman, a biologist with N8ture Al out of Atlanta, Ga., checks out the processed waste of the manatees at the $72 million J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River Habitat and VyStar SkyScape Entrance Tuesday March 3, 2026 at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

Divers move a rock in the exhibit area a during a media preview of the $72 million J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River Habitat and VyStar SkyScape Entrance Tuesday March 3, 2026 at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

Curtis Dvorak, wildlife wanderer for the $72 million J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River Habitat and VyStar SkyScape Entrance, talks about the lift station, that takes care of the manatee waste, Tuesday March 3, 2026 at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

What are Jacksonville Zoo hours?

Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is open daily from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Last tickets are sold at 4 p.m. each day.

Contributing: Tom Szaroleta, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Zoo new manatee exhibit opens this week. See best photos