A Day at Clearwater Marine Aquarium with Kids
Though the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is not your typical aquarium, it is definitely worth a visit, especially with kids.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is more like a hospital or a rehabilitation center than an aquarium, but you are able to see the sea animals, attend programs, and even watch performances.
If you haven’t been to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium since its expansion in 2020, it has grown immensely. There is definitely enough to see and do to spend at least 3-4 hours at the aquarium.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
While Clearwater Marine Aquarium has been around for 50 years, it has gained popularity after one of its rescued dolphins’ stories was turned into a movie.
Winter, the dolphin, was found stuck in a crab trap in 2005 and lost her tail. After being saved by the aquarium, Winter was fitted with a prosthetic tail to help her swim.
A movie called A Dolphin’s Tale was released in 2011, and a sequel came out in 2014. The movies are based on Winter’s story.
In addition to Winter, who passed away in 2021, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium has rescued other dolphins, turtles, seals, pelicans, seahorses, and other sea life. Their goal is to help the animals heal so they can be released back into the wild, but they also keep the animals who are unable to survive in the wild.
Arriving at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is located on Island Estates, off the causeway between Clearwater Beach and downtown Clearwater.
A parking garage is located next to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Paid parking for the aquarium is available in the parking garage.
Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the aquarium. All net proceeds go directly to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sea life.
Once inside the aquarium, there are screens with presentation times, film times, and a QR code that can be scanned for a map and additional information.
A green screen is also located at the front of the aquarium, and photos are taken in various poses. Photos are available for purchase near the gift shop by the exit.
Tickets for the aquarium can be purchased on their own or as part of a Tampa Bay City Pass.
Rescued Animals at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Unlike other aquariums, the animals at Clearwater Marine Aquarium are rescued. The aquarium’s goal is to help the sea life so they can be released, though they also have lifelong guests.
Most of the animals are in large pools near each other. There are sea otters, turtles, sharks, and manatees.
The dolphins, which seem to be the stars of the aquarium, have a few different locations. The dolphins can be seen both from above and underground.
Presentations and Shows at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Throughout the day, there are presentations around the aquarium. Guests can learn about otters, how the aquarium cares for the dolphins, how the sting rays are fed, or about Winter and her prosthetic tail, among other presentations.
Each presentation is included with the ticket.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium has a theatre and films are shown throughout the day. Currently, there are 2 documentary films about Winter the Dolphin.
The presentations and documentaries are short, about 10-15 minutes long, and guests will be able to attend multiple events.
Animal Experiences at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Both kids and adults can participate in most of the animal experiences at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Experiences range from feeding sea turtles and stingrays to helping to care for a shark to getting up close to dolphins.
For most of the experiences, kids need to be 7+. Photo opportunities are available for kids as young as 5.
Walking Tours of Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Guests 7+ can join a walking tour, go behind the scenes, and get up close to the dolphins. Tours are available daily for groups of up to 8.
Boat Tours from Clearwater Marine Aquarium
In addition to the walking tour, there are boat tours. All ages can join in on the boat tours.
Guests do not need to purchase a ticket to the aquarium to go on a boat tour, but they are welcome to if they wish to explore the aquarium as well.
Another fun family-friendly boat tour is on Captain Memo's Pirate Ship located at Clearwater Marina. Find more of the best boat tours on Clearwater Beach.
Interactive Displays at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Many interactive displays are located throughout the aquarium.
On our visit, there was an exhibit called Dolphintopia where you can learn various facts about dolphins. Kids can color in a sea creature and see it appear in a virtual aquarium.
Other interactive displays include games and facts about sea life.
Kids’ Play Rooms at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
For those who wish to take a break and sit down for a bit, there are multiple spaces located around the aquarium.
The Mangrove Key Kids Zone is a fun and interactive room where kids can craft, view sea life in an aquarium, play games, and dig in a sandbox.
For those who would rather have a quiet space, the Book Nook is a sensory-friendly room with books, soft blocks, and lava lamps.
Animal Hospital at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
As Clearwater Marine Aquarium is more of a rescue center and hospital than a typical aquarium, it makes sense that visitors can see into the surgical center.
Often, visitors can view aquarium staff at work helping out various sea creatures.
During our visit, the aquarium had received turtles from Massachusetts that had swum into water that was too cold for them. The turtles were sent to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium for help.
We were able to watch the turtles get X-rays.
They are expected to live at the aquarium between a month and a year, depending on their issues. The goal is to release the turtles back into the Atlantic Ocean.
Classes at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Kids as young as 3 can participate in the educational programs at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
Programs include a pre-kindergarten morning program, family fun day, career exploration, and Girl Scout programs.
Classes range from 1 to 6 hours, depending on the age of the participants.
My nieces participated in the Family Fun Day, where they learned about the theme of the day, which was whales, while playing games, completing a scavenger hunt, and doing crafts.
We decided to participate in a Family Fun Day about turtles.
Family Fun Days are on days kids have off from school, and they have different themes. The 2-hour classes are educational and interactive.
You can also host a birthday party at Clearwater Marine Aquarium!
Family Fun Day at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
After hearing about the family fun day my nieces attended, we decided to book a family fun day while in Clearwater.
Family Fun Day starts at 10 am, and instead of entering on the 3rd floor of the aquarium, the entrance for Family Fun Day is on the 2nd floor.
After checking in, we were free to wander and check out the sea creatures in tanks before the class began.
The Family Fun Day we participated in was about sea turtles, freshwater turtles, and tortoises. It takes place in a large classroom set up around a smart board.
Each group got a stack of turtle photos to sort before learning about the different kinds of turtles. Later, the kids sorted them out on the smart board.
A turtle was brought into the room, and the group could see other turtles in their tanks. At one point, we went to the public area of the aquarium, to the turtle area, to learn more about those turtles and to watch a staff member give them the icy treats the kids made.
In addition to making icy treats for the turtles, everyone had the opportunity to make a turtle snow globe craft.
Lanie’s Pro Tip: Check the price of a family fun day. It includes admission. Our family fun day was $20 a person, which is cheaper than the general admission charge.
Food Options at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Clearwater Marine Aquarium offers two cafes for meals, snacks, and drinks.
The Shark Bite Cafe is located indoors, though there is outdoor seating available. Shark Bite Cafe offers sandwiches, burgers, salads, drinks, and snacks as well as desserts. Vegetarian options are available at the Shark Bite Cafe, as is a kids’ menu.
Outside, the Dolphin Terrace Cantina offers coffee, alcoholic drinks, and snacks.
On busy days, another snack cafe is open on the 2nd floor by the large dolphin aquarium.
Snack Shack sells dippin’ dots, pretzels, drinks, and a variety of snacks.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium FAQ
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is both indoors and outdoors. While most outdoor areas are covered, some areas are not.
The length of time needed to explore Clearwater Marine Aquarium is dependent on how many presentations you wish to see. While the animals can be viewed in an hour or two, expect to be at the aquarium for 3-4 hours to see the majority of the exhibits. Those taking a class or a tour should expect to stay even longer.
The Florida Aquarium is located in Tampa and is a larger aquarium with lots of tanks where sea life can be viewed, while the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is located in Clearwater, Florida, and is a rescue and rehabilitation center.
While sea life can be viewed at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, there is more diversity in the creatures at the Florida Aquarium. The animals at Clearwater Marine Aquarium have been rescued and are being taken care of.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium Wrap-Up
Whether you are visiting with kids or not, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is worth a visit. Unlike most aquariums, Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a rescue and rehabilitation center that works with all kinds of sea life.
Visitors can learn about the aquarium and sea life through films, presentations, classes, and hands-on exhibits.
Plan to spend 3-4 hours at Clearwater Marine Aquarium if you wish to explore and interact with the animals and exhibits.
The cafe has plenty of seating and the outdoor seating overlooks the water, making it a beautiful place to enjoy a snack or a drink.
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