Know Before You Go

Not Your Typical Aquarium

We are not exactly like the aquariums you may have visited in the past. We exist to rescue marine animals (dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, etc.), rehabilitate them from sickness or injury, and release them back into their natural habitats whenever possible. This is a unique experience unlike any other aquarium! 

Don’t Wait to Plan Your Visit!

We have a variety of program options to add on to your general admission ticket. We highly recommend booking animal care experiences, boat tours, and guided tours in advance of your visit, as they do sell out early due to limited availability. You can view availability for programs and also save when you book admission and packages online.

Need help choosing which programs to book? View or download our Visitor’s Guide to find the best programs for you. 

CMA Is a Working Marine Animal Hospital

A majority of our resident animals – including Winter – cannot be released due to a variety of reasons, so you will see them in permanent habitats and learn their rescue stories. You’ll also see a number of animals currently undergoing rehabilitation in our working animal hospital. Our staff and volunteers give presentations and talks throughout the day at various habitats and exhibits, educating you in a fun way about the work we’re doing daily to take care of marine life and the environment to make it a safer, healthier place for these animals.

Helpful Links

Directions
Transportation
Parking
Aquarium Map
Food & Dining
Best Times to Visit
Boat Rides
ADA Services
General Rules

Coming From the Orlando Area?

If you’re visiting Orlando, Clearwater Marine Aquarium is only a short 90-minute drive west. We are located off the causeway just a mile from Clearwater Beach, voted TripAdvisor’s #1 Beach in 2018, and home to wild dolphins and unforgettable Gulf Coast sunsets. Complete your Orlando vacation with a beach getaway and spend a couple hours visiting all of our rescued animals, including Winter the Dolphin, star of the Dolphin Tale movies.

Transportation

If you aren’t driving your own vehicle, we support the use of public transportation options like Jolley Trolley, Florida Free Rides, Clearwater Ferry and hotel shuttles that can conveniently drop you off for your visit. Especially helpful now during the busy beach season, check out this excellent resource to give you the best options and information for traveling to Clearwater Beach. We are also bicycle friendly with a bike rack near the front entrance.

Garage Parking at CMA

Seasonal rates apply.

Members receive discounted parking in the CMA parking garage.

Ticketing is located on the ground floor of the parking garage. 

Entering the Aquarium

Please make sure to visit ticketing or will call inside the parking garage to pick up your tickets before entering the aquarium. The aquarium entrance is located on Marina Way.

Best Times to Visit

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is less than one mile inland from Clearwater Beach – voted 2019’s #1 beach in the U.S. by TripAdvisor. Due to the proximity and popularity, the peak times for visiting occur in the days/weeks around major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, and also during spring break (March/April) and summer (June/July). We also recommend arriving before 11 a.m. or after 3 p.m. to avoid the busiest times of day.

We are regularly open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and have extended hours seasonally. CMA is open every day except Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.

Average Visiting Time

Plan to spend about 2-3 hours with us at Clearwater Marine Aquarium to enjoy learning about all of our rescued and resident animals. Catch some of our daily presentations and make sure to watch the daily programs in the theatre. Booking boat tours, certain animal care experiences, and Behind the Scenes tours will add at least another hour to your day and provide an unforgettable experience.

Check out more day-of-visiting details in our FAQ section!

Indoor/Outdoor Facility

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is an indoor and outdoor facility with air-conditioned areas inside and open-air sections outside. Enjoy sunshine and views of Clearwater Bay from the harborview deck and stranding deck. It is a good idea to be prepared and bring sun protection, a hat and sunglasses, especially if you plan to go on one of our amazing boat tours.

ADA Services

Read about our ADA services and accessibility offered to guests with disabilities.

General Rules and Regulations

Be sure to check our rules for prohibited items and other general rules and regulations you should know when visiting us.