

Kids and youth ages 3 to 12 are $16, and under 3 get in free. The aquarium is open seven days a week year-round from 10 a.m. Support conservation by visiting the area’s most accomplished and incredible marine aquarium. But, every day, teams are out there on the water collecting data and behind computer desks reviewing models to find answers to the many problems of today.
MOTE MARINE AQUARIUM SARASOTA PROFESSIONAL
The aquarium is only one end result of the tireless work of a group of dedicated professional scientists. Huge and Buffet have been at Mote since 1996 and serve as ambassadors for their species to raise awareness and participate in special research projects. The manatees at Mote Marine Aquarium are worth the visit alone and draw many thousands of visitors each year. This includes two manatees, Hugh and Buffett, as well as their shell-laden friends, Hang Tough, Montego, and Squirt 2 – sea turtles rescued from Gulf waters. You can also stop on by and see some of the aquarium’s most-loved residents. Special narrated education sessions take place at 11 a.m. The shark tank is also home to some special Florida species, including the absurd and bizarre Goliath grouper fish. You can also learn about shark repellant and how sharks learn. In it, you can spot a range of shark species, with a special focus on research.įor example, you can learn why sharks and rays rarely get cancer and why their presence is absolutely essential to the oceans. It is currently home to a prized 135,000-gallon shark habitat. So, what can you find swimming and gliding just beyond the glass? The aquarium has a whole line-up of creatures to observe, making it one of the top kid-friendly things to do on Anna Maria Island. They consider themselves “scientists, explorers, and stewards of the ocean.” The Creatures of the Aquarium The team could be seen as guardians of the sea, but they would likely argue otherwise. For decades, the team has cultivated a distinct local presence but has also helped in promoting local conservation and love for the ocean. Mote Aquarium stresses the significance of public outreach and community. It was founded in 1955 and has remained an Anna Maria Island project ever since.

The aquarium is the result of the tireless work of the Mote Marine Laboratory.
