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Location
Visitor tip
Request a facility map at entry or ask staff for navigation help—multiple visitors noted confusing layout with repetitive viewing paths. Staff are particularly knowledgeable and helpful with directions.
Visitor tip
Don't miss the boat cruise excursion around the area (approximately 1 hour)—reviewers highlighted this as a must-do experience and recommend bringing a sweater as it gets cold on the water.
Visitor tip
Prioritize the dolphin presentation and keeper talks, which visitors consistently rated as the standout, most educational experience—worth the admission cost alone. Engage with staff at exhibits like the ray habitat where animators are particularly passionate and interactive.
About Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Exhibits, education & dolphin encounters. Home of the inspiration for "Dolphin Tale," this aquarium exhibits marine mammals & sea turtles.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Aquarium
- Highlights
- Winter the Dolphin immersive exhibit, harbor seals, marine life rescue center
- Special Events
- Sea turtle nesting expeditions, World Oceans Day, Dolphin Yoga
What visitors say
Great facility, but hard to navigate. Feel like we did a lot of circles and saw the same things a lot. The otters are amazing, the dolphins are beautiful. Home of winter the Dolphin who lost her tail. She passed in 2021 but they still…
An absolutely incredible experience at Clearwater Marine Aquarium! Every single staff member we encountered was educational, kind, and genuinely eager to share their knowledge. You could tell they truly care about the animals and about…
We recently visited this aquarium and overall, it was just okay. The facility was easy to navigate, but it felt smaller than we expected for the price of admission. One of the highlights is their work rehabilitating animals for release…
From 19,802 Google reviews Read all reviews
Did You Know?
- Home to Winter the Dolphin, whose story inspired the feature film 'Dolphin Tale.' Winter lost her tail but was fitted with a prosthetic tail and became a symbol of marine animal rehabilitation before passing in 2021. The aquarium maintains an honor walk and interactive exhibit dedicated to her legacy.
- Net proceeds from visitor admission directly support the aquarium's marine life rescue, rehabilitation, and release programs, making it primarily a conservation and animal care facility rather than a traditional entertainment venue.
- Offers seasonal sea turtle nesting educational excursions from May 4 to September 4, 2026, with conservation programs available including donations to support sea turtle nesting initiatives.
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