What MetroLagoons does

MetroLagoons is a Florida-based operating company that runs a portfolio of publicly accessible, man-made crystal-clear water lagoons, anchored by Mirada Lagoon at 15 acres — the nation's largest man-made lagoon. The company currently operates four lagoon destinations: Epperson (Wesley Chapel, ~7+ acres), Mirada (San Antonio, ~15 acres), Southshore Bay (Wimauma, ~5 acres), and Brightwater (North Fort Myers, ~5 acres), with four additional Florida locations in development (Angeline, Seaire, Sandal Key, and Diamond Springs). Each lagoon combines swimming, water slides, kayaking, paddleboarding, obstacle courses, sandy beaches, swim-up bars, restaurants, and private cabana rentals, with VIP experiences branded under Cabana Cove. The company is affiliated with MetroDevelopment Group, which develops master-planned lagoon communities whose residents receive complimentary daily access, creating a built-in captive audience under a Resident Member Program.

The core technology is a water quality management system relying on industry-approved chlorination and filtration following state and CDC recreational water standards, operated by a dedicated Water Quality team. MetroLagoons does not sell software; its commerce runs on a third-party e-commerce platform (Roller) with identity verification handled through ID.me for an Everyday Heroes discount program. The business model is multi-stream direct-to-consumer: day ticket sales ($20–$25), the optional Splash Pass add-on for water activities, Passport multi-visit passes ($64.99–$99.99 within 14 days), premium cabana and rental revenue, on-site food and beverage (including exclusive Lagoon Lager beer), swim lessons through a Floatz partnership, and group/private events starting at $50 per person. Distribution combines walk-up gate sales, online advance purchase, group sales for parties of 20+, and hotel referral partnerships with Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, and IHG brands.

Customer segments span families with children, group event organizers (corporate, birthdays, weddings), adults and couples seeking resort-style relaxation, verified Everyday Heroes (military, first responders, healthcare, teachers, students), tourists and hotel guests, and lagoon community residents. Marketing is a mix of organic social media, content/creator programs, email, and local events programming. The company is private, headquartered in Tampa, with 251–500 employees, and shows no disclosed funding rounds, M&A, or public trading status.

Name

MetroLagoons

Legal name

MetroLagoons

Website

https://metrolagoons.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

MetroLagoons operates four publicly accessible man-made crystal-clear lagoons across Florida, offering day passes, water activities, cabana rentals, F&B, and group events to families, tourists, and master-planned community residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Recreation Destinations

NAICS

Marinas (71393)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Aquatic Family Entertainment Centers (Splash Pads, Aquatic Playgrounds, Swim Parks) (THAJAEAL)

Keywords

• Man-made lagoon destinations
• Aquatic recreation centers
• Water park resorts
• Swim resort attractions
• Cabana rental venues

Headquarters

HQ city

Tampa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Day Ticket Sales: Entry tickets to lagoons with various pricing based on location and whether Splash Pass is included. Tickets purchased online offer savings up to $10 compared to gate pricing.
2. Passport Tickets: Multi-visit passes allowing access to all MetroLagoons locations. 3-Visit Passport valid for 3 visits within 14 days, and Unlimited Visit Passport for unlimited visits within 14 consecutive days. All include Splash Pass.
3. Splash Pass Add-on: Optional upgrade providing access to water activities including kayaking, paddleboarding, bumper boats, and floating obstacle course. Can be purchased with day tickets or added separately.
4. Cabana and Rental Revenue: Premium rentals including floating Aquabanas, private cabanas, beach loungers, shaded tikis, pavilions, and daybeds. Various capacity options from 2-20 guests with pricing varying by location and rental type.
5. Food and Beverage: On-site dining and beverage sales including multiple bars (swim-up bars, beach bars), cafes, food trucks, and market locations. Includes alcoholic beverages, frozen drinks, casual food items, and ice cream.
6. Group Events and Catering: Group bookings for birthdays, corporate events, weddings, reunions with package options starting at $50/person (Slice of Fun pizza package). Includes rental space, food, beverages, and optional Splash Pass add-ons.
7. Swim Lessons: Partnership with Floatz to offer swim lessons for various skill levels including parent participation, preschool, and youth beginner classes at multiple lagoon locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

MetroLagoons operates four public, man-made crystal-clear lagoon destinations across Florida (Epperson, Mirada, Southshore Bay, and Brightwater), selling day passes, cabana rentals, water activities, food and beverage, and hosting private events and swim lessons. The company also sells multi-visit Passport tickets valid at any MetroLagoons location and operates a Resident Member Program for adjacent master-planned community residents.

Product overview

MetroLagoons is a resort-style lagoon destination company operating four public lagoon locations across Florida. The core offering consists of four named lagoon products: Epperson Lagoon (7+ acres, Wesley Chapel), Mirada Lagoon (15 acres - the nation's largest, San Antonio), Southshore Bay Lagoon (5 acres, Wimauma), and Brightwater Lagoon (5 acres, North Fort Myers). These lagoons feature clear blue water, sandy beaches, water slides, obstacle courses, kayaking, paddleboarding, swim-up bars, and dining options. The product portfolio includes add-on modules such as Splash Pass (premium water activity access), Cabana Cove (VIP cabana experiences), MetroLagoons Passport Tickets (multi-location access), swim lessons (via Floatz partnership), and group/event packages. The company also operates a Resident Member Program for community residents and hosts regular events programming including live entertainment, fitness activities, and seasonal celebrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cabana Cove: VIP private oasis area with exclusive bar, pool access, and premium cabana rentals at MetroLagoons locations.
• MetroPlaces
• MetroDevelopmentGroup
• Splash Pass
• Passport Tickets

Products and services

• Epperson Lagoon Over 7 acres of clear blue waters in Wesley Chapel, FL featuring swimming, water slides, bumper boats, floating obstacle course, kayaking, paddleboarding, beach volleyball, swim-up bar (The Sandbar), and Cabana Cove VIP area. Open to the public as a day-pass attraction.
• Mirada Lagoon The nation's largest crystal lagoon at approximately 15 acres in San Antonio, FL, with swimming, water slides, Splash Zone for kids, floating obstacle course, kayaking, paddleboarding, and Cabana Cove VIP area. Open to the public as a day-pass attraction.
• Southshore Bay Lagoon Five acres of lagoon fun in Wimauma, FL, featuring a giant water slide, floating obstacles, kayaks, paddleboards, swim-up bar, and a Kids Water Obstacle Course. Open to the public as a day-pass attraction.
• Brightwater Lagoon Five acres of lagoon adventure in North Fort Myers, FL, featuring a floating obstacle course, water slides, mini golf, kayaking, paddleboarding, splash pad, and beach volleyball. Open to the public as a day-pass attraction.
• MetroLagoons Passport Tickets Multi-visit ticket passes providing access to all MetroLagoons destinations across Florida, available as a 3-Visit Passport ($64.99) and Unlimited Visit Passport ($99.99), valid for 14 days from first visit and including the Splash Pass add-on for water attractions.
• Splash Pass Premium add-on providing access to water attractions at any MetroLagoons location, including the floating obstacle course, bumper boats, kayaks, and paddleboards. Sold with Day Tickets or added separately.
• Cabana Cove VIP premium experience featuring private cabanas, floating Aquabanas, exclusive swim zones, dedicated bar, chairside service, and elevated rentals available across MetroLagoons locations, with options ranging from 2-guest loungers to 20-guest pavilions.
• Swim Lessons Swim instruction program delivered in partnership with Floatz at Epperson, Mirada, and Brightwater lagoons, with Parent Participation (6–36 months), Preschool (3–5 years), and Youth Beginner (6–12 years) levels.
• Group & Party Packages Event hosting services for groups of 20+ including birthdays, corporate events, weddings, team outings, and family reunions. Packages include rental spaces and catering options such as Slice of Fun (from $50/person) and Grill & Chill, with optional Splash Pass upgrades.
• Resident Member Program Exclusive membership program for residents of MetroLagoons/MetroPlaces communities, providing complimentary daily lagoon access along with member-only events, fitness classes, live music, and trivia games.

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FloatzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to offer swim lessons for all skill levels including parent participation (6-36 months), preschool (3-5 years), and youth beginner (6-12 years) programs at Epperson, Mirada, and Brightwater Lagoons.
• ID.mecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIdentity verification partnership offering 10% discount to verified Active Duty Military, Veterans, First Responders, Healthcare Workers, Teachers, and Students. Provides discount codes for online ticket purchases.
• Residence Inn by Marriott (Suncoast Parkway)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partnership offering 10% off standard room rates for lagoon guests. Located at Suncoast Parkway in Lutz, FL near Epperson Lagoon.
• Hyatt Place (Tampa-Wesley Chapel)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partnership offering 10% off standard room rates for lagoon guests. Conveniently located near Epperson Lagoon in Wesley Chapel.
• Hampton Inn & Suites (Tampa-Wesley Chapel)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partnership offering 15% off standard room rates for lagoon guests. Minutes from Epperson Lagoon in Wesley Chapel.
• Residence Inn by Marriott (Tampa/Wesley Chapel)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partnership providing discounted stays for lagoon visitors near Mirada Lagoon.
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites (Ruskin-Sun City)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partnership near Southshore Bay Lagoon offering discounted rates for lagoon guests.
• Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites (Tampa Riverview)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partnership offering discounted stays for Southshore Bay Lagoon visitors in Riverview area.
• Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites (Cape Coral/North Fort Myers)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partnership near Brightwater Lagoon in Fort Myers area.
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites (Ft Myers East)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partnership offering 15% off standard room rates, located 15 minutes from Brightwater Lagoon.
• OneBloodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlood drive partnership hosting OneBlood mobile blood donation events at Brightwater Lagoon.
• Keel FarmsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPop-up wine and beverage partner at lagoon events featuring their Dragonberry canned wine product.
• Florida Avenue Brewing Co.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive Lagoon Lager beer partnership - exclusive craft beer brewed for MetroLagoons locations.
• Local Fort Myers Breweries (Footpprint, Islamorada, Palm City)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal craft beer partners featured at Brightwater Lagoon including Footpprint, Islamorada, and Palm City Brewing.
• MetroDevelopment Group (MetroPlaces)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company developing master-planned lagoon communities with beachfront lifestyle. Residents receive complimentary daily lagoon access as part of community amenities.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• LEGOLAND Florida Water Park: Florida family water park with day passes, cabana rentals, and F&B. Comparable as a competing Florida family day-out destination, particularly for the same under-12 demographic.
• Margaritaville Resort Orlando: Florida resort with island-style water amenities, day-pass access, and F&B programming. Comparable as a Florida resort-style water destination competing for similar tourist and group-event demand.
• Adventure Island (Busch Gardens Tampa): Tampa-area water park owned by SeaWorld Parks. Closest geographic competitor for Florida-resident day-trippers and tourist water-park demand in the same Tampa Bay region.

Broad incumbents

• Universal Volcano Bay: Universal Orlando's premium water theme park. Comparable segment (premium water-park day experience with cabanas and F&B) at substantially larger scale, anchoring Orlando tourist demand.
• Disney's Typhoon Lagoon: Walt Disney World's flagship water park. Comparable premium family water-park offering with cabanas, F&B, and events, competing for the same Florida tourist and resident day-trip spend.

Emerging players

• DreamWorks Water Park (American Dream): Large-scale indoor water park with themed attractions, cabana rentals, and F&B. Comparable as a premium water destination competing for day-trip and group-event spend.
• Kalahari Resorts & Conventions: Indoor/outdoor water park resort with day-pass options. Comparable as a multi-amenity water destination combining slides, cabanas, F&B, and group events under a single brand.

Direct peers

• Soaky Mountain Waterpark: Mid-sized water park operator with a similar multi-attraction day-pass model (slides, cabanas, F&B). Comparable on unit economics and family-targeted water-park positioning.
• Crystal Lagoons: The technology company that designs and licenses the crystal-clear lagoon concept that MetroLagoons deploys. Comparable as the IP/economic engine behind man-made lagoon developments worldwide.
• ResortPass: Day-pass marketplace for accessing resort pools, beaches, and amenities. Comparable direct-to-consumer day-pass model targeted at consumers seeking beach/resort experiences without overnight stays.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@metrolagoons
• Facebookfacebook.com/MetroLagoons
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metrolagoons
• Instagraminstagram.com/metrolagoons
• TikToktiktok.com/@metrolagoonsfl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MetroLagoons