We loved visiting the Mote Aquarium, located in Sarasota, Florida, which is a popular tourist destination that showcases marine life. The aquarium allows visitors to learn about the ocean's inhabitants and their ecosystems. We learned a lot about the sea life here in Florida and saw Manatees and other creatures like sharks which are Haley's favorite.
The Mote Aquarium was established in 1980 by Dr. Eugenie Clark, a renowned marine biologist, as a small research facility to study the behavior and biology of sharks. Over the years, the facility expanded to include a public aquarium with exhibits featuring a variety of marine animals, including dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and more. In 2017, the aquarium underwent a major renovation and expansion, doubling its size and adding new exhibits and interactive experiences.
The Mote Aquarium is located at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, on the island of City Island, just off the coast of Sarasota. Open daily from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and tickets to the aquarium cost $24.75 for adults and $18.75 for children ages 3-12. Children under 3 are admitted for free.
The aquarium features several exhibits, including a shark habitat, a sea turtle rehabilitation area, a coral reef exhibit, and more. Visitors can watch daily animal feedings and participate in interactive experiences like touch tanks and animal encounters.
There are dolphin and whale watching tours from November through May, where visitors can see bottlenose dolphins, humpback whales, and other marine mammals in their natural habitat.
The aquarium offers a variety of educational programs for visitors of all ages, including camps, field trips, and classes. Visitors can also watch scientists and marine biologists at work in the aquarium's research labs.
One thing that particularly interested us was that the Mote Aquarium in Sarasota has an exhibit dedicated to red tide. This harmful algal bloom can negatively impact marine life and human health. The exhibit aims to educate visitors about red tide and its environmental effects.
The exhibit includes interactive displays, videos, and educational signage that explain what red tide is, how it forms, and how it impacts marine ecosystems. Visitors can learn about the causes and effects of red tide and the ongoing research and monitoring efforts to understand and mitigate its effects.
The exhibit also features live animals affected by red tide, such as fish and sea turtles. Visitors can observe these animals up close and learn about the rehabilitation efforts undertaken by Mote Aquarium and other organizations.
So what is red tide? Red tide is a phenomenon that occurs when there is a high concentration of a microscopic algae species called Karenia brevis in the water. These algae produce toxins that can be harmful to marine life and humans.
In Florida, red tide is a recurring event typically occurring in the Gulf of Mexico and extending along the state's west coast. When the algae bloom, it can cause the water to appear red or brown, hence the name "red tide."
The toxins produced by the algae can harm fish, birds, and other marine animals, causing respiratory problems, neurological issues, and even death in severe cases. Red tide can also have an economic impact by affecting the fishing and tourism industries.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission monitors red tide and updates its status regularly. When the red tide is present, people are advised to avoid swimming in affected areas, eating seafood from those waters, and inhaling aerosolized toxins that can be present in the air. When we first arrived in Florida, the Gulf Coast was experiencing high levels of red tide. It was stinky at the beach from the dead fish, making visiting the beach unpleasant. It was sad to see so much loss of sea life, and the kids were bummed that we had to stay away from the ocean while the levels were high.
Plan to stay a few hours for your visit to the aquarium as there is a lot to see and experience. The location is stunning and close to St. Armands Circle where you can go for lunch after your aquarium visit.
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