I was give complimentary tickets to visit Clearwater Marine Aquarium. All opinions are my own.
During the #SSLBloggerRoadTrip we decided to take the opportunity to visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. I have seen both of the Dolphin Tale movies so I was very excited to visit the star of the movies – Winter. Having arranged to get tickets before hand we simply walked to the ticket window and picked up our passes which also included admission to the secondary location where props and movie sets are displayed.
Walking up to the aquarium I was pretty excited because it looked just like the movie. The houseboat from the movie is even docked out front.
When you first walk into the aquarium you are in the gift shop. We decided to first walk through the animal hospital part of the aquarium. Here there is a hallway filled with windows so you can see any of the animals the staff are currently working on. There wasn’t much going on during our visit, though there was a sea turtle being cared for. It was a really neat facility and I bet very exciting to visit when there are animals being worked on.
Calling the Clearwater Marine Aquarium an aquarium is a little stretch of the word. I would definitely call it a marine rehabilitation center. If you have visions of tanks of different kinds of fish and sea life, you will be disappointed. You will see dolphins, turtles, a pelican, sea otters, tons of string rays you can touch and watch be fed and a few fish. There is a lot of learning to take place at the aquarium. Education is very important to the aquarium because there are a lot of different ways to learn there.
- Learn through play in the play room which also features skeletons from different marine animals.
- Reading – there are a ton of plaques throughout the aquarium.
- Presentations – we were able to listen to a presentation about sea turtles as well as watch them get fed. We also saw part of the sting ray feeding and presentation. There are plenty of opportunities to pet a sting ray. We also heard some of a presentation about Winter and Hope.
- Visiting the animal hospital, reading the signs and watching what they are doing.
After walking through the hospital section we went upstairs where Winter and Hope are. There are also several sea turtles. We got there in time to hear all about the sea turtles and watch them being fed.
Have you been to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium? I’d love to hear about your visit!
Mai T. says
I’ve only been to 2 aquariums in my life. I’d to visit a marine one!
Kristin K says
I am in Canada, and have yet to visit our Ripley’s Aquarium! There’s only one problem…I am claustrophobic!! And, I now that there is a clear tunnel to walk through…and that makes me extremely nervous! But, I would love to see all of the beautiful marine life!!!
John Thuku says
I have never visited this aquarium before but I would love to. It looks like a great place to visit.
Jenna D says
My family visits Maine for the summer but I’ve never been here, definitely adding it to our list, thanks for posting!
Jenna D says
My family visits Maine for the summer but I’ve never been here, definitely adding it to our list, thanks for posting!
Jenna D says
My family visits Maine for the summer but I’ve never been here, definitely adding it to our list, thanks for posting!