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Look Beneath The Sea at Mote AquariumDiscover the creatures of the deep!Mote Aquarium offers you the chance to get up close to numerous creatures of the sea, including sea turtles, jelly fish, manatees, dolphins and sharks. In fact there’s a 135,000 gallon shark habitat that allows you a close up view of sharks. There’s also a sting ray petting pool. You’ll find all varieties and species of fish and other marine life at Mote Aquarium; everything from eels, to puffer fish and sea horses and much more. There’s also a special interactive exhibit called, “Shark Tracker,” where you can follow the scientists who follow the sharks and learn how sharks hunt for food and survive in the deep. Also on display is a preserved 25-foot giant squid, one of only 2 in the U.S.
Mote Marine Aquarium also operates, a dolphin and whale hospital which is in the news on occasion when the aquarium staff is treating a sick or hurt dolphin or whale. Additionally, Mote Aquarium features “The Immersion Cinema,” where you can participate in “The Dolphin Bay Project:” the search for a missing dolphin and her calf, in a state of the art theater that features a 40-foot HDTV. Another feature in “The Immersion Cinema” is “Predator/Prey,” which I have participated in. It’s an interactive game with a touch screen pad for you to manipulate and you work your way through the marine life food chain. Unfortunately, I got eaten by a shark! (I’m not very good at video games but you and your kids will love it!)
Mote Aquarium is one of those rare places where you can get a glimpse of the laboratories, so you can watch marine science and biology taking place right before your eyes, uncovering the secrets of the deep. There’s also a wonderful gift shop at Mote marine Aquarium from which you can select, among other things, books on sea life and marine biology for every age and learning level, for that budding oceanographer or marine biologist in the family, as well as other unique treasures. And by making a purchase in the gift shop you are helping to fund additional Mote scientific research. If you are “into” ecology (and, who shouldn't be?), the ocean and sea life, Mote Marine Aquarium is the place for you, because this is the place you can most likely get answers to some of your questions. Research is at the heart of the staff of Mote Marine Aquarium. Mote Researchers are working on projects around the world in an effort to help understand the impact we humans have on the fragile marine ecosystem.
Mote Marine Aquarium is a definite “must see” on your stay in the Sarasota area. Make sure you block out time to enjoy the interactive feature at the state of the art “The Immersion Theater,” too. Mote Aquarium is located at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway and is open 365 days a year (including holidays) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adults $15 / Kids 4-12 $10. Children under 4 are free. Prices subject to change. (941) 388-4441 or (800) 691-MOTE
Directions: From downtown Sarasota cross the Ringling Bridge to St. Armand’s Circle, bear to the right, then north toward Longboat Key, watch for the signs and turn right at Ken Thompson Parkway, before the bridge to Longboat Key. Return from Mote Aquarium to the Sarasota Florida Attractions page.
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