Miami Seaquarium

Situated on a 38-acre (15 ha) tropical island in Biscayne Bay, the Miami Seaquarium is one of the oldest oceanariums in the United States.

History

Founded in 1955, it is Florida's longest operating oceanarium and has been accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums since 1987. The park offers shows, exhibits, and hands-on interactions with a variety of marine animals including dolphins, sea lions, penguins, alligators, sharks, and stingrays.

The Miami Seaquarium is also home to the famous dolphin Flipper, star of the 1963 television series of the same name. In addition to bottlenose dolphins, the park's dolphin pool is also home to a pair of Pacific white-sided dolphins named Cacique and Gumi, and a Chilean dolphin named Perez.

In addition to its resident animals, the Miami Seaquarium also plays host to a number of visiting animals from other facilities. These have included killer whales, beluga whales, and seals.

Exhibits

The Miami Seaquarium has a number of different exhibits and shows featuring its animal residents.

The Dolphin Harbor is the park's main dolphin exhibit and features a 750,000 gallon (2,839,000 L) dolphin lagoon. The lagoon is home to a number of bottlenose dolphins as well as a pair of Pacific white-sided dolphins. Visitors can observe the dolphins from above and underwater, and there is also a dolphin show several times daily.

The Sea Lion & Otter Show is a comedic animal show featuring California sea lions and Asian small-clawed otters. The sea lions perform a variety of tricks while the otters work together to catch fish.

Penguin Isle is an exhibit featuring African penguins. Visitors can learn about the penguins and watch them swim underwater in their custom-built habitat.

The Shark Channel is an exhibit where visitors can see sharks up close as they swim in a 300,000 gallon (1,136,000 L) circular tank. There is also a small touch pool where visitors can pet stingrays.

The Crocodile Flats exhibit is home to a number of American alligators and crocodiles. Visitors can learn about these reptiles and watch them feed.

The Everglades Exhibit is a naturalistic exhibit featuring animals that are native to the Florida Everglades. Animals on display include snakes, turtles, and frogs.

The Amazon Flooded Forest is a newly renovated exhibit that features reptiles, fish, and birds from the Amazon River basin. The exhibit includes an 80-foot (24 m) long submerged glass tunnel where visitors can walk through and view the animals from below.

How To Visit

The Miami Seaquarium is open 365 days a year. Admission prices vary depending on age and whether or not you would like to add a dolphin encounter or behind-the-scenes tour to your visit. Discounts are available for seniors, military personnel, and groups.

If you're looking to get up close and personal with some of the park's animals, there are a number of different animal encounters available. These include dolphin encounters, sea lion encounters, and stingray feedings.

Behind-the-scenes tours are also available and give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at how the park operates. Tours include stops at the animal hospital, food preparation kitchen, and dolphin training area.

Whether you're looking to learn about marine animals or just have a fun day out, the Miami Seaquarium is sure to have something for you.

Information provided by Quality 1 Restoration.