Inexpensive great way to spend time learning about aquatic life, from rescues to release. A real animal hospital, this is the home of Hope and Winter, two dolphins made famous in a "based on true story" movie. They're in the middle of an expansion, but at least the large parking garage is done. The staff does a great job with the ever increasing crowds. I would recommend you dress comfortably, as over half of it is outside. The boat tour is great, and you stop at a tiny little island. Along the way the staff try to capture some small sea life to show it to you. Dress extremely comfortably for that, since you explore a glorified sand bar.
Fantastic marine rescue animal hospital made famous by A Dolphin Tale movies. Their incredible work is funded in part by the excellent educational exhibits which include a few dolphins (including the actual Winter), otters, sea turtles, sharks and fish. They do a fantastic job being personal. Please do not expect a big entertainment venue or full blown commercial aquarium. This is a teaching hospital with a personal touch. Love their staff and their mission.
I went there with low expectations based on the promotional material, but left with renewed faith in people's desire to help ocean life without making it do tricks (cough cough Sea World cough cough). I'll return next time we vacation there.
I am saddened by all of the 1 star reviews of this business. It all comes down to your expectations. If you are expecting Sea World Orlando shows, you will not find them here. There are impromptu sessions with the experienced staff, which we found to be authentic and entertaining. If you are expecting a large commercial aquarium experience, you will not find it here. There are only a dozen or so animals here and more that are being treated and released back to the wild. I was happy there were not more permanently being held due to their captivity from a young age. The "dirty" water is really just cloudy glass due to a staff member cleaning the windows with the wrong cleaning solution. We actually saw divers cleaning the large inside dolphin pool with scrub brushes when we were leaving at closing time. We were disappointed that Hope and Winter were in separate pools. But the staff explained that it is like siblings who must be separated for some time to relax and be alone. The only expectation not met was the Florida resident discount. They only gave the discount to me and my wife, but not my daughter and her husband from MN whom we invited to come with us. The adult admission was $24 for non-residents and $12 for residents. My opinion of the actual value is around $12-$15 per person. The parking was $6 which I consider cheap for a large parking ramp near a beach.
We have been here a few times now. It’s good in a lot of ways. Best for kids over 6 or so. Not bad as part of the city pass but I’m not sure I’d go apart from that. A few years ago when we went it was cheaper and it seemed they did a lot more of the little stuff like closer encounters with the dolphins, a boat tour that went out and caught a bunch of fish for the kids to look at etc. As it’s grown it seems to have lost some of these touches or maybe they’re in a transitional phase. The dolphin shows are good! Try to go on a weekday and avoid crowds.
We went to the Aquarium to see Winter and Hope the dolphins while we were in town. When we arrived the paid parking deck was easy to find. I was surprised that the ticket office was in the parking deck. We bought tickets, paid for parking and then had a 3 minute walk to the main entrance which was weird. Then when you arrive the entrance seems temporary as they push you to enter through the gift shop. The exhibits were sparse, with us only seeing The dolphins in the inside and outside tanks, a sea turtle, a sea otter, a good sized aquarium and sting Ray's. I was underwhelmed of the quality of the place and the overall exhibits being so few. I know it's a rescue center so maybe my expectations were too high, but I didn't think any of it was worth the price. I will say the staff was very nice and gave great information. I hope the temporary nature of the place means they are planning to expand and make it a better experience.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a US Aquarium based in Clearwater, Florida. Clearwater Marine Aquarium is located at 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, FL 33767, USA.
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