Discover the Stories Behind the Rescues

This website offers official tickets for this venue. Please note, however, that it is not the official website of the venue.

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Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Highlights

Meet a Hollywood Star: Get up close with Hope, the famous resident dolphin and celebrity star of Dolphin Tale 2, right at her home where the movie was filmed.

Support Marine Conservation: Gain firsthand insight into the aquarium’s core mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing injured marine wildlife.

Discover Diverse Marine Life: View a fascinating variety of rescued aquatic animals, including sharks, sea turtles, otters, rays, eels, and pelicans.

Dive Into Marine Life Rescue at Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Clearwater Marine Aquarium offers a unique look at marine life rescue, rehabilitation, and release. Located just a short drive from Tampa, this family-friendly facility is home to rescued dolphins, sea turtles, North American river otters, and rough-toothed dolphins. Visitors can explore working animal hospitals, view daily educational presentations, and learn about marine conservation firsthand. Secure your admission online today to guarantee your entry time and support ongoing marine animal care.

About Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Established in 1972, Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick and injured marine life. Operating as a fully functional marine animal hospital, the facility provides permanent care for non-releasable resident animals, including Atlantic bottlenose and rough-toothed dolphins, green and Kemp's ridley sea turtles, North American river otters, and harbor seals. Visitors get a transparent view of real-time veterinary care, educational presentations, and working rehabilitation pools where the ultimate goal is always returning animals back to their natural habitats. Because every admission ticket directly funds vital rescue operations, medical supplies, and local conservation efforts, booking your entry online guarantees your spot to experience a mission-driven attraction that actively protects the wildlife of the Tampa Bay region.

Why Visit Clearwater Marine Aquarium?

A Working Marine Hospital: See firsthand how our veterinary teams rescue, rehabilitate, and care for sick and injured marine animals.

Inspiring Resident Animals: Meet our permanent, non-releasable residents, including Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, green sea turtles, and North American river otters.

Behind-the-Scenes Education: Watch live animal medical procedures, food preparation, and daily training sessions from our viewing windows.

Eco-Boat Tours & Cruises: Upgrade your visit with guided boat excursions through local estuaries to spot wild dolphins and learn about the Tampa Bay ecosystem.

Interactive Touch Tanks: Get hands-on with stingrays, horseshoe crabs, and other local marine invertebrates in our outdoor touch pools.

Support for Real Conservation: Rest easy knowing that 100% of your admission ticket price directly funds animal care, ocean cleanups, and wildlife research.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Hours & Visitor Tips

Opening Hours

Daily Schedule: Open every day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the last admission allowed 30 minutes before closing.
Holiday Closures: The facility is closed all day on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Special Holiday Hours: On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, the aquarium operates on a shortened schedule from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Best Times to Visit

Morning Opening (10:00 AM): Arrive right at opening to see the marine animals at their most active and participate in the first daily feedings and educational presentations.
Mid-Week Days (Tuesday – Thursday): Plan your visit during the middle of the week to experience lower attendance, shorter lines, and unobstructed views at the underwater windows.
Off-Peak Months: Visit during the shoulder seasons—specifically September through November or January through February—to avoid heavy summer and spring break crowds.

Getting There

Address:

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is located at
249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, FL 33767.

Find Your Route

By Car
By Ferry
By Rideshare

Driving is the most direct option from the broader Tampa Bay area. Take State Road 60 West (Courtney Campbell Causeway) straight through Clearwater toward the beaches, turning right onto Windward Passage. On-site parking is available in a connected multi-level garage.

A popular scenic option is the Clearwater Ferry, which provides a water taxi service connecting downtown Clearwater and Clearwater Beach directly to the aquarium's transit dock. This option reduces travel stress during peak tourist seasons.

Uber, Lyft, and local taxi services operate extensively throughout the region, offering direct drop-off and pick-up services right at the main entrance of the facility.

Dining Options

On-Site Cafe: The main indoor dining area serves a variety of family-friendly meals, including freshly made burgers, flatbreads, salads, and dedicated kids' options.
Outdoor Terrace Dining: Guests can choose to eat in the air-conditioned dining room or head outside to an open-air terrace overlooking Clearwater Bay. A selection of refreshments, including seasonal alcoholic beverages for adults, is available.

Souvenirs & Gift Shop

The Aquarium Gift Shop: The facility features a main retail store stocked with eco-friendly merchandise, branded apparel, marine-themed plush toys, and educational games.
Mission-Driven Shopping: Because the aquarium operates as a non-profit organization, 100% of the proceeds from retail sales directly fund the food, medical supplies, and ongoing rehabilitation of the rescued animals.

Accessibility Features

Wheelchair & Elevator Access: All primary indoor exhibit spaces, viewing windows, and upper levels are fully wheelchair accessible via compliant ramps and elevators.
Mobility Device Rentals: Standard manual wheelchairs are available for rent at the Guest Services desk on a first-come, first-served basis for a nominal daily fee and a refundable security deposit.
Service Animals: Fully trained service dogs meeting ADA guidelines are welcome throughout the property to assist guests with disabilities.
Sensory & Communication Accommodations: Written scripts for the daily educational presentations and animal trainer talks can be requested at the main ticket windows. Additionally, sign language interpreting services can be arranged free of charge when requested at least 14 days prior to your visit.

Know Before You Go

Advance Ticket Booking: Purchasing your tickets online ahead of time guarantees your entry slot, helps you bypass the main ticket lines, and secures the best available pricing.

Cashless Facility: The aquarium operates entirely on a cashless system. All dining locations, retail shops, and ticket windows accept major credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payments.

Outside Food Policy: To protect the health of our animals, outside food, beverages, and coolers are not permitted inside the facility. Exceptions are made for baby formula, medical dietary needs, and reusable water bottles.

Photography Guidelines: Guests are welcome to take photos and videos for personal use, but flash photography is strictly prohibited near the animal windows to avoid startling the marine life.

Pet Policy: Only fully trained service animals meeting ADA guidelines are permitted on the property; emotional support animals and pets are not allowed inside.

Re-Entry Policy: Same-day re-entry is permitted. Simply ensure you have your hand stamped or ticket scanned at the exit before leaving the facility to return later that day.

FAQs

Can I swim with the dolphins at the aquarium?

No, in-water swimming is not permitted, but you can book poolside animal care and photo experiences with our resident dolphins.

Is parking available on-site, and does it cost extra?

Yes, parking is available in an attached multi-level garage, and seasonal parking rates apply.

Are admission tickets refundable if my plans change?

No, daily admission tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable once purchased.

Do I need to print my online tickets before I arrive?

No, you can simply display the digital ticket barcode on your mobile device at the turnstiles for entry.

Are strollers available for rent at the facility?

The aquarium does not offer stroller rentals, but guests are welcome to bring their own personal strollers.

Is the aquarium entirely indoors?

No, the facility features a mix of indoor climate-controlled exhibit spaces and covered open-air outdoor animal habitats.

Can I bring my own food and drinks inside?

Outside food, beverages, and coolers are prohibited to protect the health of our animals, though exceptions are made for medical needs and baby formula.

Is this the venue’s official website?

No. This website offers official tickets to Clearwater Marine Aquarium but is not the venue’s official website.