If you’re planning a St. Pete Beach vacation, you’re probably wondering about some of the most unique and exciting things to do in the area. Since St. Pete and Clearwater are so close to each other, you can easily explore both cities during your vacation!
One of the best things to do in Clearwater with kids is taking a trip to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. This attraction is perfect for when you need to escape an afternoon shower or get out of the summer sun.
Here’s everything you’ll need to know about visiting this breathtaking destination, located just a moment away from our St. Pete Beach condo rentals!
About the Aquarium
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is an attraction where you can go for both entertainment and education. This non-profit organization has spent years working toward rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing local marine life, all while teaching locals and visitors about these majestic creatures as well! They’ve saved more than 1,200 sea turtles and have released more than 600 animals since 2010! Between their permanent exhibits and fun events, there’s always something fascinating going on here.
Experiences and Exhibits
When you visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, you’ll want to spend some time getting to know the rescued animals within the organization. They have all kinds of beautiful sea creatures here, from dolphins and sea turtles to otters, stingrays, sharks, and more! Some of the rescued animals will never be able to return to the wild, so the Clearwater Marine Aquarium provides them with a loving home and allows guests to come and interact with them. Be sure to check out the Dolphin Terrace and Otter Oasis!
For a truly face-to-face experience with these creatures, check out one of the aquarium’s Animal Experiences! Take a photo with Winter the dolphin, go poolside to watch dolphins Rex and Rudy as they splash and play in the water. The Shark Care Experience lets you meet Thelma, the aquarium’s resident shark, or register for the From Farm to Turtle experience to see how the aquarium uses aquaponics to feed their sea turtles and get involved in the process for yourself!
Boat Rides and Guided Tours
Want to take your aquarium experience even further? Clearwater Marine Aquarium offers fun boat rides and guided tours that will let you learn more about the area and even apply the knowledge you gained inside the aquarium itself. To start, their On-Water Tours take you throughout Clearwater Bay and let you watch the talented aquarium staff in action as they collect data in the field or take you through the finger islands.
Their current tours include the Dolphin and Wildlife Boat Tour, the Sea Life Safari Tour, and the Guided Kayak Tour. These excursions are incredible experiences for guests of all ages and are pretty affordable, starting at just $20 per person. The Dolphin and Wildlife Boat Tour is a 60-minute eco-boat cruise where you’ll get to see some of the most beautiful local waters and learn all about the marine life living below. Your guide will teach you all about the local dolphins, birds, and seasonal wildlife that called this area home. All ages are more than welcome on this tour, making it a perfect family-friendly activity!
The Sea Life Safari Tour is one of the newest additions to the excursions of Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and it’s an experience you won’t want to miss! This 90-minute tour will allow you to spot all kinds of local sea creatures and plant life and watch as an aquarium staff member collects data out in the field. They’ll even do a “show and tell” of sorts as they perform a net pull and show you all the fantastic sea creatures hiding out at the bottom of the bay! The best part? There are complimentary soft drinks, as well as complimentary beer and wine for the adults!
You can also embark on a Walking Tour that takes you behind the scenes of the aquarium and shows you all the hard work that the staff puts in to keep things running. The Behind the Scenes Tour is one of the most popular tours at the facility, taking guests to areas that regular patrons don’t get to experience. You’ll get to experience the VIP Viewing Area over the Dolphin Complex, look down on the animals in critical care and being rehabilitated, and see the food prep area that helps keep all the creatures fed.
Plan Your Next Visit
Travel Resort Services is proud to offer tons of amazing rentals in and around St. Pete Beach and Clearwater. In addition to these rental properties, we also offer convenient Redington Beach rentals and Madeira Beach rentals. No matter which of our numerous properties you choose to stay in, you’ll have access to every fantastic attraction in the area, as well as some of the best customer service.
Admission and Hours
Now that you know about one of the best things to do in Clearwater, FL, how can you experience it? Clearwater Marine Aquarium is located at 249 Windward Passage in Clearwater. They’re open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., so there should be plenty of time for you to pay a visit while you’re on vacation!
Admission prices to the aquarium are pretty affordable, making this attraction something that every family can fit into their budget. For adults, admission costs $32.95. For kids between the ages of 3 and 12, admission costs $26.95. For seniors age 60 and over, admission costs $30.95. Finally, kids ages two and under can get in for free!
You may also be eligible for a special discount or free admission into the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Appreciation Admission rates extend to active-duty military members as well as teachers. These individuals can get free entry from Monday through Thursday or discounted entry from Friday through Sunday with a valid ID. These individuals may also be able to extend their benefits to other guests depending on the day! Contact the aquarium for more information about these potential savings.
St. Pete Beach Condo Rentals
There’s no doubt that the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is one of the most popular attractions in the area. Luckily, you won’t have to travel far to get there if you stay in one of our St. Pete Beach condo rentals! It only takes about 30 minutes to drive there.
From our condos, make your way northwest on Gulf Boulevard toward 131st Avenue East. You’ll then head toward 113st Street/Grove Road/Ridge Road before continuing on Clearwater Largo Road South. You’ll then make your way onto Clearwater Memorial Causeway/Pierce Boulevard, turn right onto Island Way, and turn left onto Windward Passage to reach the aquarium! Have a question about your rental? Need a dinner recommendation? Want to know where to rent your beach equipment? We can help you with all that and more! Contact us today to get started planning your trip!