Know Before You Go

Get ready to visit the home of Winter the Dolphin and get an immersive look into the world of marine life rescue. Here are some tips and reminders to make your experience an enjoyable one:

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.

Working Marine 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 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.

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Now available on the App Store and Google Play Store. Download the free mobile app for maps, daily presentation schedules, tips to enhance your experience, exhibit & animal information, and updates during your visit!

Directions

Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage
Clearwater, FL 33767

View full directions here

We are located minutes away from Clearwater Beach, voted Tripadvisor’s #1 beach in the U.S.

Watch live beach webcam.

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.

More Orlando Visitor Info

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.

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 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.

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.

View Map

Best Times to Visit

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is less than one mile inland from Clearwater Beach – voted 2016’s #1 beach in the U.S. 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 am or after 3 pm to avoid the busiest times of day.

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

Don’t Wait to Plan Your Visit!

We have a variety of program options to add on to your general admission ticket. If you plan to visit during peak times, we highly recommend booking animal care experiences, boat tours, and Behind the Scenes tours in advance of your visit, as they WILL sell out early due to limited availability. Book now!

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.

Boat Tours

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is located right next to Clearwater Bay with docks along Mandalay Channel. Enjoy an eco-boat adventure through the local Gulf Coast waterways!

View seasonal wildlife while learning about members of our local dolphin population, dolphin ecology, techniques used to identify them, and dolphin behavior on the Dolphin Adventure Tour.

Or take a ride on the Sea Life Safari, where you’ll stop on a shell island and spend time learning about our local fish populations and other marine life.

Boat Tours