Clearwater Marine Aquarium

The Basics

Learn about Clearwater Marine Aquarium's mission of rescue, rehabilitation, and release by touring its many exhibits and taking part in educational activities. Join a guided behind-the-scenes tour, take a safari boat ride in the waters surrounding the aquarium, shadow animal care professionals, and much more. In addition to seeing the aquarium's rehabilitated animals that can't be released into the wild, you can also observe the rescue and rehabilitation process first-hand at its hospital.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The aquarium is a family-friendly activity that engages and educates all ages.

• Special programs, such as animal encounters, sell out due to limited availability. Book in advance.

• The aquarium is wheelchair and stroller accessible, but the Sea Life Safari and Dolphin Adventure Tour are not.

• Some exhibits are outdoors, so come prepared for all weather. Wearing layers is recommended.

How to Get There

The aquarium is located in Clearwater, a 40-minute drive from both Tampa and St. Petersburg. Take FL-60 West to Island Way in Clearwater. Then, follow Island Way and Windward Passage to Marina Way. The aquarium is located at the end of Marina Way. Paid parking is available in the aquarium's garage.

When to Get There

Peak season in Clearwater is around winter holidays, spring break, and summer school vacations. In these times, the aquarium can be quite crowded, so visit in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds. Avoid visiting when it is raining because some of the outdoor exhibits may be closed.

Visit the Stars of*Dolphin Tale*

Fans of the movieDolphin Tale andDolphin Tale 2 can meet the movies’ stars—Winter and Hope—and learn the backstory of both dolphins' rescues at the aquarium. The movie was filmed at the aquarium so you can visit the movie set too. Plus, learn about the rehabilitation of the dolphins, see Winter’s prosthetic tail in action, and watch Winter and Hope interact.

How long does it take to walk through the Clearwater Marine Aquarium?

Exploring the Clearwater Marine Aquarium takes 2-3 hours—this gives you plenty of time to admire all of the exhibits and educational sections, take a boat ride on the water, catch a presentation, and see some of the rescued wildlife. The last entry is 30 minutes before closing time.

Can you touch dolphins at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium?

Yes, you can touch dolphins during your visit to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium if you book a Photo with a Dolphin experience. You can have an individual or group photo with one of the dolphins—only one person at a time can touch the dolphins and you can’t wear jewelry while you’re doing so.

Does the Clearwater Marine Aquarium have sharks?

Yes, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium has two types of shark, including a resident nurse shark named Thelma (who measures nearly 7 feet (2 meters), who you can watch swimming around from the Shark Pass. There are also some Epaulette sharks in the Sea Cavern, where they live alongside a yellow stingray.

Is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium inside or outside?

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is located indoors and outdoors—while most of the tanks are indoors, some marine enclosures are outdoors. The boat cruises and wildlife-watching tours take place outdoors, so be sure to layer up during winter and bring a hat and sunscreen in summer.

Is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium accessible?

Yes, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is accessible. There are elevators and ramps throughout the building, as well as accessible toilets and parking. The only part of the attraction that isn’t accessible is the eco-boat tour due to difficulty in getting on and off the boat from the dock.

Can you bring food into the Clearwater Marine Aquarium?

You can’t bring food onto the second floor of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, but you can take it elsewhere in the attraction. You can buy a range of hot and cold snacks, kid’s meals, and vegetarian options at the Shark Bites Cade. You can also purchase soft and alcoholic drinks on the Dolphin Terrace.

Ways to explore

Get general admission to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to explore the dolphin rescue center, otter habitat, and more educational exhibits. With add-ons, you can feed a nurse shark, take a behind-the-scenes tour of the critical care facility, or spot wildlife on a guided boat cruise in the waters surrounding the aquarium.

Located near the white-sand Clearwater Beach, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is easy to combine with a surfing lesson or sailing cruise. If you plan to visit both the aquarium and other Tampa attractions, such as ZooTampa at Lowry Park, you can save on admission with the Tampa Bay CityPASS®.

Accessibility

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is wheelchair accessible, excluding boat tours, and wheelchairs are available to rent for a fee on a first-come, first-served basis.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Besides a camera and bottled water, bring a swimsuit and towel in case you’d like to go to the beach after visiting the aquarium.

What to wear

The aquarium has both indoor and outdoor exhibits, so dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes to explore on foot.

Not allowed

Smoking, glass containers, bikes, scooters

Amenities

Café, gift shop, restrooms

Address 

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is located in Clearwater, approximately 40 minutes from both Tampa and St. Petersburg. It’s best to get there by car, but you can also use public transportation from the Clearwater area or join a guided day trip from Orlando.

Driving

From downtown Tampa, take SR 60 west for about 24 miles (39 kilometers) to Island Way in Clearwater, then find the aquarium at the end of Marina Way. Paid parking is available in the aquarium's garage.

Public transportation

From the Park Street Terminal in downtown Clearwater, ride the Suncoast Beach Trolley to Island Estates Plaza, located about a 4-minute walk from the aquarium. Service runs roughly every 30 minutes.

Best times to visit

Aquarium crowds peak at midday, so go in the morning or late afternoon to enjoy the exhibits to yourself.

Best days to visit

There’s no bad day to visit the aquarium, as animal feedings and presentations take place daily. Just be prepared for more crowds on weekends and school holidays.

Best months to visit

October–December mean fewer tourists and peak pleasant weather in Clearwater, while April–June are particularly good for wildlife viewing—ideal if you’ll be joining one of the aquarium’s boat tours.

Special events

Check the website for frequent events, from yoga classes by the dolphin tanks to night-at-the-aquarium openings for kids.