Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is not your typical aquarium — it is a working marine rescue center where every animal you encounter has a story of survival. Located on Clearwater's waterfront at Windward Passage, the facility is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured and sick marine life, and it invites visitors to witness that mission up close. The aquarium gained worldwide fame through Winter, a rescued bottlenose dolphin who lost her tail and was fitted with a groundbreaking prosthetic, inspiring the Dolphin Tale films. Though Winter passed in 2021, her legacy lives on through the Tales of Winter exhibit, an immersive experience featuring memorabilia, movie props, and the actual prosthetic tails she wore. Today, the aquarium is home to resident dolphins, sea turtles, pelicans, otters, and other marine animals undergoing rehabilitation, and the educational presentations and up-close animal encounters give visitors a real understanding of what it takes to protect marine life along the Gulf Coast. The facility underwent a major expansion and renovation, making the experience more immersive and informative than ever. Whether you are visiting with kids who fell in love with Winter's story or you are simply passionate about ocean conservation, Clearwater Marine Aquarium offers an experience that is both heartwarming and eye-opening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Winter the dolphin still at Clearwater Marine Aquarium? expand_more
Winter passed away in November 2021, but her legacy lives on at the aquarium through the Tales of Winter exhibit, which features memorabilia, movie props, and the actual prosthetic tails she wore during her lifetime.
Where is Clearwater Marine Aquarium? expand_more
The aquarium is at 249 Windward Passage in Clearwater, Florida, on the waterfront with easy access from Clearwater Beach.
Is Clearwater Marine Aquarium good for kids? expand_more
Absolutely. The aquarium offers hands-on educational programs, up-close animal encounters, and interactive exhibits that are engaging for children of all ages. The stories of rescued animals are especially inspiring for young visitors.
What animals can I see at Clearwater Marine Aquarium? expand_more
The aquarium is home to rescued dolphins, sea turtles, pelicans, otters, and other marine animals. Because it is a working rescue center, the animals on site may change as rehabilitated animals are released back into the wild.
Is Clearwater Marine Aquarium a regular aquarium? expand_more
No. It is a working marine rescue center focused on the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured and sick marine life. Visitors get a behind-the-scenes look at that mission rather than a traditional aquarium experience.