Although most famous for rescuing A Dolphin’s Tale star, Winter, and the follow-up rescue and movie A Dolphin’s Tale 2 star, Hope the aquarium has been helping marine animals around Florida since 1972. With a mission to rescue, rehabilitate and release of sick and injured marine animals the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is not your typical aquarium museum, it is a working marine hospital. Visiting takes you beyond the typical view of marine animals through the glass and offers you an up-close view of marine rehabilitation and animal care experiences.
Exhibits & Animal Care Experiences
The aquarium offers a variety of exhibits and experiences. While some are included with your admission others are an add-on fee.
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Included with CMA your admission:
- Dolphin Terrace: Easily the most popular area in the center. The terrace is the first exhibit you will see after entering the aquarium. Here you will be at water surface level with the dolphins. Hit the stairs/elevator to get eye-to-eye with the playful inquisitive dolphins.
- Atlantis Theater: Cool off from the Florida heat while viewing special screenings and events. Check with Clearwater Marine Aquarium for up to date schedule.
- Mangrove Key Kids Zone: A place for kids to participate in games, crafts, and storytime.
- Aquaponics: See the lettuce growing that will feed the rescued sea turtles.
- Mavis’ Rescue Hideaway: Named for the Dolphin Tale 2 character, the habitat was built to house the animal actor who played Mavis, Harold. Harold was unable to forage for food in the wild so he calls CMA home. He shares the hideaway with other sea turtles, stingrays, redfish, tarpon, and hogfish.
Available Experiences
- Dolphin Photos
- Build a Salad for a Sea Turtle
- VIP Dolphin Experiences for poolside sessions
- Shark Care Experience
- Feed a Stingray
Winter the Dolphin
Winter was, by far, the aquarium’s main star and continues to inspire people. Rescued when she was about two months old after her tail was tangled in the ropes of a crab trap and she subsequently lost it. She lived here at the aquarium because she could not be released back into the wild until she passed away on November 11th, 2021.
But her legacy and the impact she had on the Clearwater Marine Hospital is ongoing. Her popularity and amazing story enabled the aquarium’s $80 million dollar expansion. Including a 1.5 million gallon rehabilitation habitat to care for more rescued and non-releasable dolphins.
The innovative medical advancements aren’t just benefiting marine animals. The special silicone sleeve developed for Winter to wear with her new tail, called Wintersgel, is making prosthetics more comfortable for humans and other animals. The sleeve was produced by a local medical manufacturer who teamed up with another local company to develop her tail.
Can you swim with the dolphins at Clearwater Aquarium?
No, you can choose the dolphin encounter for photos, but you will not be swimming with the dolphins.
How long does it take to walk through Clearwater Aquarium?
This is a smaller aquarium with a focus on rehabilitation. To stroll through the exhibits about 2-3 hours should be sufficient. However, the aquarium offers several animal experiences which would extend your stay.
How much does it cost to go to Clearwater Marine Aquarium?
(2022 Rates) Adults $35.95 and Kids (ages 3-12) $26.95.
Some discounts are available (i.e. We received a 50% discount due to our Tampa History Center annual membership).
If you’re local or in the area for a bit and planning several visits, the annual membership is a great deal and varies by number in your “pod.”
Do you have to pay for parking at Clearwater Marine Aquarium?
Yes, there is a parking garage, but Clearwater Beach is nearly all paid parking. September 2022 parking fee was $10 while visiting the aquarium.