About Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a marine animal rescue center and aquarium located on Clearwater Beach. The facility gained international fame as the home of Winter the dolphin, star of the Dolphin Tale movies. Unlike traditional aquariums, CMA functions as a working hospital where guests can see rescued animals being rehabilitated for release back into the wild.
History of Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Clearwater Marine Aquarium was founded in 1972 as the Clearwater Marine Science Center. The facility transformed from a small local aquarium into a major tourist destination after rescuing Winter the dolphin in 2005. Winter lost her tail and was fitted with a prosthetic, inspiring the Dolphin Tale movie (2011) starring Morgan Freeman. The aquarium completed a $90 million expansion in 2020, tripling its size. Winter passed away in 2021 but her legacy of rescue and rehabilitation continues.
Park Areas & Lands
🐬 Dolphin Terrace
The main dolphin habitat where rescued dolphins that cannot be returned to the wild live in a large open-air pool.
🐢 Sea Turtle Rehabilitation
Working rehabilitation area for injured sea turtles with educational displays about rescue and recovery.
🦈 Shark and Ray Bay
Touch tank and viewing area for nurse sharks and stingrays.
🚤 Boat Tours
Boat tours departing from the aquarium dock into Clearwater Harbor for wild dolphin and marine life sightings.
Must-Do Attractions
- Dolphin Presentations - Educational presentations with the aquarium's resident rescued dolphins - focused on their rescue stories and rehabilitation
- Sea Life Safari Boat Tour - Narrated boat cruise into Clearwater Harbor to see wild dolphins, manatees, and sea birds in their natural habitat
- Sea Turtle Rehabilitation - Walk through the working sea turtle hospital and see patients being treated before release
- Otter Exhibit - Playful North American river otters in a naturalistic habitat with underwater viewing windows
- Winter's Legacy - Exhibit honoring Winter the dolphin and the prosthetic tail technology that inspired a movie and medical breakthroughs
Insider Tips
- CMA is a working rescue hospital, not a traditional aquarium - the focus is on rehabilitation and conservation education
- The boat tour into Clearwater Harbor offers excellent wild dolphin sighting rates
- Arrival at opening (10 AM) provides the best experience before school groups and afternoon crowds arrive
- The aquarium is on the Clearwater Beach causeway, easily combined with a beach day
- Behind-the-scenes tours offer closer animal encounters and support the rescue mission
Best Times to Visit
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is least crowded on weekday mornings during the school year. The facility is busiest during summer vacation, spring break, and holiday weeks. Allow 2-3 hours for the full aquarium experience and additional time for boat tours.
Tickets & Pricing
Adult tickets $36, children (3-12) $26, seniors $34. Sea Life Safari boat tour $24 add-on. Behind-the-scenes tours $15+. Annual memberships from $95. Online discounts available.
Dining at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
The aquarium cafe offers sandwiches, snacks, and beverages. Clearwater Beach is steps away with dozens of waterfront restaurants including Frenchy's, Cooters, and the Beachcomber.
Official Resources
Group Visit to Clearwater Marine Aquarium? BusBrother drops your group at the front gate and picks you up after the fireworks. No parking fees, no rideshare surge. Round trip, multi-stop, ADA accessible. Get a free quote.