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Tampa Tickets Clearwater Marine Aquarium Plan Your Visit
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Visitor Guide: Hours, Tickets & Directions

Your Guide to an Unforgettable Experience

Planning your trip to Clearwater Marine Aquarium is simple and straightforward. Located just a short drive from Tampa, the working marine animal hospital offers a unique, educational look at wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.

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

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.

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.

Essential Visitor Guidelines

Animal Safety Distances: Always remain behind designated barriers and refrain from leaning over, reaching into, or dropping objects into any of the open-air rehabilitation pools.

Supervision of Minors: Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied and actively supervised by an adult at all times while exploring the facility.

Prohibited Items: Weapons, alcohol, glass containers, balloons, plastic straws, and laser pointers are strictly banned from the property for safety and environmental reasons.

Smoking and Vaping: Clearwater Marine Aquarium is entirely smoke-free; smoking and vaping are prohibited everywhere inside the facility, including outdoor decks and the parking garage.

Dress Code Requirements: Casual, family-friendly attire is required. Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times, including when transitioning from nearby beaches.

Code of Conduct: Respectful behavior toward staff, volunteers, and fellow guests is mandatory. Any disruptive conduct or harassment of animals will result in immediate removal from the venue.

FAQs

Is the facility fully accessible for guests with limited mobility?

Yes, all primary indoor exhibit spaces, viewing areas, and upper levels are equipped with compliant ramps and elevator access.

Can I purchase my tickets at the gate, or must I book online?

While walk-up tickets are available at the window, booking online in advance is highly recommended to secure your preferred entry time and bypass the main arrival lines.

What happens if it rains during my visit?

The aquarium remains open during rainy weather, as the majority of our key exhibit spaces, viewing windows, and animal habitats are either indoors or under protective coverings.

Is there a place on-site to store my luggage or large backpacks?

No, the aquarium does not provide lockers or storage areas for personal belongings, so large bags and luggage must be left in your vehicle or hotel.

How long does it typically take to walk through the entire aquarium?

Most visitors spend between two to three hours exploring the resident animal habitats, viewing the veterinary windows, and attending daily educational presentations.

Does standard admission include access to the underwater viewing areas?

Yes, your general admission ticket gives you full access to all resident animal habitats, including the spacious underwater viewing windows.

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

The images and videos on this website may contain visual elements that have been created or enhanced using AI technology. They are provided for illustrative purposes only.