Top Florida marine park destinations
By Roland Liwag
SouthFlorida.com
Important: This article was last updated on July 27, 2005. Please call ahead to confirm hours, prices, dates and other information.
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Looking to beat the record heat? Cool off at one of Florida's marine parks, from swimming with dolphins at Key Largo to diving with sharks in Tampa Bay.
1. Miami Seaquarium -- Watch choreographed Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins jump, spin, tailwalk and flip. Make sure to sit in the splash zone during Lolita the killer whale's presentation and check out The Golden Dome Sea Lion Show.
The park also features a Shark Channel (where specialists feed 200-pound sharks), a 750,000 gallon saltwater tropical reef aquarium and a manatee exhibit that allows you face-to-face contact with the state's marine mammal.
Also experience the Seaquarium's new W.A.D.E. (Water and Dolphin Exploration) program, which allows people to feed and touch dolphins along with participating in training sessions. Cost: $149 to participate, $35 to observe ($30 for children 3-9, $10 for handicapped guests).
2. The Florida Aquarium (Tampa Bay) -- Aside from their exhibits on more than 10,000 aquatic plants and animals, the Florida Aquarium offers people a chance to SCUBA dive with sharks in a 93,000-gallon saltwater tank.
Also check out the park's rare Florida and Australian sea dragons, and its newest exhibit on invasive species currently plaguing the state.
The Florida Aquarium also offers Eco-Tours of the Tampa Bay area where guests can see bottlenose dolphins, birds and native fish aboard a 64-foot 49-passenger catamaran. Cost: $18.95 adults, $17.95 seniors 60+, $13.95 children under 12.
3. Key West Aquarium -- This aquarium was originally built by the federal government's Works Project Administration in 1932 as an open-air attraction.
It features daily shark and turtle feedings along with a touch tank. The aquarium contains animals that include grouper, eels, barracuda, tropical fish, tarpon, sharks and more.
4. Florida's Gulfarium (Fort Walton Beach) -- Aside from the usual dolphin, sea lion and multi-species show, the Florida Gulfarium also offers unique programs that include: A 40-minute interactive session with the park's pantropical spotted dolphins, special dolphin therapy sessions for children with disabilities and various aquatic summer camps.
5. Dolphins Plus -- This Key Largo marine attraction offers 14 Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and 2 California sea lions in a natural setting.
Guests can swim with dolphins in two ways: A 'Structured Dolphin Swim,' where an experienced dolphin trainer leads you through a session and a 'Natural Dolphin Swim' where you and the dolphins are free to have as much or as little contact as possible while wearing a mask, fins and snorkel.
Dolphins Plus also offers programs with their sea lion Wono that includes an interactive session and 20-30 minute educational briefing. Cost: $100 for participants, $10 to observe.
Also participate in the park's new program, Shadow a Trainer for a Day.
6. Mote Marine Laboratory (Sarasota) -- The park features a 135,000-gallon shark habitat; a 'Contact Cove' where you can touch sea stars, horseshoe crabs, sea urchins and other animals; a 'Ray Touch Pool' and exhibits on freshwater and reef creatures. Also check out the 'Immersion Cinema,' a cross between a theme-park ride and IMAX film.
7. Parker Manatee Aquarium at The South Florida Museum (Bradenton) -- Visit Snooty the Manatee in his 60,000-gallon habitat that features both deep and shallow water to accomodate the animal's feeding habits.
1. Miami Seaquarium -- Watch choreographed Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins jump, spin, tailwalk and flip. Make sure to sit in the splash zone during Lolita the killer whale's presentation and check out The Golden Dome Sea Lion Show.
The park also features a Shark Channel (where specialists feed 200-pound sharks), a 750,000 gallon saltwater tropical reef aquarium and a manatee exhibit that allows you face-to-face contact with the state's marine mammal.
Also experience the Seaquarium's new W.A.D.E. (Water and Dolphin Exploration) program, which allows people to feed and touch dolphins along with participating in training sessions. Cost: $149 to participate, $35 to observe ($30 for children 3-9, $10 for handicapped guests).
2. The Florida Aquarium (Tampa Bay) -- Aside from their exhibits on more than 10,000 aquatic plants and animals, the Florida Aquarium offers people a chance to SCUBA dive with sharks in a 93,000-gallon saltwater tank.
Also check out the park's rare Florida and Australian sea dragons, and its newest exhibit on invasive species currently plaguing the state.
The Florida Aquarium also offers Eco-Tours of the Tampa Bay area where guests can see bottlenose dolphins, birds and native fish aboard a 64-foot 49-passenger catamaran. Cost: $18.95 adults, $17.95 seniors 60+, $13.95 children under 12.
3. Key West Aquarium -- This aquarium was originally built by the federal government's Works Project Administration in 1932 as an open-air attraction.
It features daily shark and turtle feedings along with a touch tank. The aquarium contains animals that include grouper, eels, barracuda, tropical fish, tarpon, sharks and more.
4. Florida's Gulfarium (Fort Walton Beach) -- Aside from the usual dolphin, sea lion and multi-species show, the Florida Gulfarium also offers unique programs that include: A 40-minute interactive session with the park's pantropical spotted dolphins, special dolphin therapy sessions for children with disabilities and various aquatic summer camps.
5. Dolphins Plus -- This Key Largo marine attraction offers 14 Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and 2 California sea lions in a natural setting.
Guests can swim with dolphins in two ways: A 'Structured Dolphin Swim,' where an experienced dolphin trainer leads you through a session and a 'Natural Dolphin Swim' where you and the dolphins are free to have as much or as little contact as possible while wearing a mask, fins and snorkel.
Dolphins Plus also offers programs with their sea lion Wono that includes an interactive session and 20-30 minute educational briefing. Cost: $100 for participants, $10 to observe.
Also participate in the park's new program, Shadow a Trainer for a Day.
6. Mote Marine Laboratory (Sarasota) -- The park features a 135,000-gallon shark habitat; a 'Contact Cove' where you can touch sea stars, horseshoe crabs, sea urchins and other animals; a 'Ray Touch Pool' and exhibits on freshwater and reef creatures. Also check out the 'Immersion Cinema,' a cross between a theme-park ride and IMAX film.
7. Parker Manatee Aquarium at The South Florida Museum (Bradenton) -- Visit Snooty the Manatee in his 60,000-gallon habitat that features both deep and shallow water to accomodate the animal's feeding habits.