Description: This facility is a marine rehab hospital and research center located on the bay of Clearwater 20 miles west of Tampa. It is open to the public to showcase a few species they keep in the Aquarium--dolphins, sea turtles, a few small sharks, otters, stingrays and local fish.
It is a small place that only takes perhaps 30 minutes to see. But it also has a dolphin show you can attend. I do not know how long that takes as we "attended" twice but never got to see the 2 dolphins perform as they chose not to participate! The trainer comes out to the pool and slaps the water for them to approach. If both do not approach together the show is cancelled. As it was during our visit.
However, you can see the dolphins swim around in another pool, and another trainer will provide information about how each were rescued and rehabed. One particular dolphin, named Winter, will become quite famous in several months as the public views him on the big screen in his debut, A Dolphin's Tale. It is his story--how he was caught in a crab trap and lost his tail. He was fitted with a prosthetic tail and survived beautifully. Co-stars Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd and Henry Cornick Jr spent 4 months filming the movie at Clearwater Aquarium. Winter will be an inspiration to all those who have adjusted to living without a limb.
The aquarium has a couple of optional tours. We took the Backstage Tour which visited the hospital area, marine ambulance, and heard the inside scoop about the aquarium. We also took the optional boat tour, which lasted 2 hours. The boat was shaded, resulting in a rather cold ride in the wind. A marine biology college student was our guide. She informed us about all the sea critters that were caught in the net that she dragged along the sea floor for 3 minutes. We saw little puffer fish, shrimp, anenomes, and other fish. We also spent time searching for shells on a tiny deserted sand bar island. There were drinks and chips on sale for $1 each on the boat.
But the highlight of the day was the photo opportunity with a dolphin. Our daughter had no idea that they offered that option at the aquarium, and did not overhear us request and pay for this option ($35). It has been her "dream" to touch a dolphin--her favorite animal in the world--so how could we resist??? You can imagine her surprise when the trainer who had just finished telling the crowd about the 2 dolphins swimming in the pool--Winter and Panama--announced that one lucky guest was going to come out to see one of them closer. My daughter was grinning ear to ear as she shyly walked out to the little platform and squatted next to the trainer who slapped the water for one to approach. The dolphin Panama swam up to the platform. The trainer cupped his hands and indicated for my daughter to do the same. As she did, the dolphin slid his face into her hands and opened his mouth for a fish. A souvenir photo was included in this opportunity, although I think this memory will be etched in her heart forever!
Close