Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Clearwater, Florida
A favorite must-go place by many families, Clearwater Marine Aquarium serves as the home of Winter, that adorable rescued dolphin that swims using a prosthetic tail and is the star in the films Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Animal Interaction Programs
The animal integration programs are the most in demand upgrades to Clearwater Marine Aquarium admission and the staff will recommend that you make your reservation as advanced as you can. Visitors 7 years old and above can work side by side with the trainer, and get a glimpse of the working hospital animal during Dolphin Encounter. The visitors who are 12 years old and above will surely love the Trainer for a Day program offered at Clearwater Marine Aquarium where they can get 3 hours of shadowing a trainer through feeding and enrichment sessions not just with the dolphins but also with the otters.
If you want a simple and fascinating interaction, you can also get a food ticket so that you can feed the stingrays at CMA at select times during the day.
Educational Presentations
The animals that reside at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium were rescued then transported to the aquarium where they are given the rehabilitation and care that they need. It means that all animals on exhibit can change every now and then, and instead of choreographed shows that can be seen in animal-centered attractions, CMA’s entertainment is in the form of educational presentations. CMA keeps a schedule of all presentations, using a close log of its existing residents on the official website.
The most notable permanent resident of the aquarium is none other than Winter. She and the other Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in CMA, including another female called Hope, rotate between the poles during the day to get their required therapy. The routine of Winter includes daily swims using her prosthetic tail. Once the time is right, the staff of the aquarium will announce if you can already watch Winter as she practices.
Also, presentations and feedings of otter, stingray and sea turtle are held regularly.
Boat Tours
The Sea Life Safari at Clearwater Marine Aquarium cruises across Intracoastal Waterway for 90-narrated minutes of wildlife spotting and data collection, with seabirds and dolphins being the common sights. Young and old passengers alike can help with the net pull and hold any sea creature that might turn up. The visitors of the aquarium who are 7 years of age and above can also join in the 2-hour kayak tour to see some wildlife around the local islands. The tour fee covers all the equipment needed and an expert guide.
Winter’s Dolphin Tale Adventure
When you are done seeing Winter, you can ride the free trolley that will take you to downtown Clearwater’s Harborview Center from CMA. Winter’s Dolphin Tale Adventure exhibit is included with your admission to CMA. This tells about the filming of Dolphin Tale at CMA and around Pinellas and Clearwater County through rebuilt props, sets, and images from the film together with an interactive area for kids.
Visit Clearwater Marine Aquarium Today
If you want to see Winter and other equally adorable water creatures, better book a reservation at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium the soonest that you can!
Clearwater Marine Aquarium: Daily- 9:00 am-6:00 pm
Winters Dolphin Tale Adventure: Daily 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
(included with the purchase of General Admission)
General Admission:
Adult (ages 13-59)Price: $29.95
Child (ages 3-12)Price: $24.95
Senior (ages 60+)Price: $26.95
Visit there website for full details www.seewinter.com