First U.S. Jellyfish Museum Opens in Pompano Beach, Showcasing 20 Species Across 10,000-Square-Foot Space

The Jellyfish Museum in Pompano Beach, led by Ukrainian aquarium developers Alex and Yana Yanovsky, opened this spring as the first U.S. museum dedicated solely to jellyfish, displaying about 20 species in illuminated tanks and using projections to educate visitors. The exhibit blends biology, ecology, and a 500-million-year history to highlight jellyfish’s tranquil, hypnotic movements and their role in marine ecosystems, while emphasizing their simple physiology. The founders, who fled Ukraine after the 2022 invasion and previously ran jellyfish-focused facilities there, view the Florida site as their first U.S. attraction and are looking to expand to additional locations. Officials describe the space as a calm, meditative educational experience designed to engage the public with marine life and conservation. Experts, including Monty Graham of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, acknowledge the museum’s appeal and the broader interest it could generate in jellyfish and ocean science.