Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
Explore a world-class aquarium and research lab, home to diverse marine life, interactive exhibits, and vital conservation efforts.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed viewing
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed viewing
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore a world-class aquarium and research lab, home to diverse marine life, interactive exhibits, and vital conservation efforts.
"This world-class destination perfectly combines education, conservation, and entertainment."
🎟️ Book Tickets Online
Save time and guarantee entry by purchasing your Mote aquarium tickets in advance online.
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking across three floors, so comfy shoes are a must!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Manatee & Otter Encounters
Third Floor
See adorable otters and gentle manatees up close, especially during feeding times. A true highlight for many visitors!
Interactive Touch Tanks
Various Locations
Get hands-on with marine life! Touch sharks, stingrays, and starfish in these engaging and educational exhibits.
Cutting-Edge Coral Research
Laboratory Tours
Discover Mote's vital work in coral reef restoration. Limited public tours offer a glimpse into this critical conservation effort.
Augmented Reality Pod
Exhibition Area
Immerse yourself in the ocean with short films that bring marine life and ecosystems to life in a unique VR experience.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Plan Your Visit to Mote SEA
Research Meets Recreation
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎟️ Book Tickets Online
Save time and guarantee entry by purchasing your Mote aquarium tickets in advance online.
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking across three floors, so comfy shoes are a must!
📱 Download the Mote App
Enhance your visit with interactive maps and information. (Check if available)
🦦 Check Feeding Times
Plan your visit around otter and manatee feeding times for a special treat!
Tips
from all over the internet
🎟️ Book Tickets Online
Save time and guarantee entry by purchasing your Mote aquarium tickets in advance online.
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking across three floors, so comfy shoes are a must!
📱 Download the Mote App
Enhance your visit with interactive maps and information. (Check if available)
🦦 Check Feeding Times
Plan your visit around otter and manatee feeding times for a special treat!
🅿️ Parking Availability
Ample parking is available, with overflow parking at the UTC Mall across the street.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about the new Mote SEA, praising its modern, three-story design, diverse marine life, and interactive exhibits like touch tanks. The manatee and otter encounters are a particular highlight. While some note it's smaller than larger aquariums, its focus on research and conservation is highly appreciated, making it a world-class educational destination.
"Got to preview Mote Sea on October 5 and it was amazing! Beautiful facility on 3 floors with an observation deck. There is a gift shop, cafe, coffee shop, virtual reality ride. There are elevators so it is handicapped accessible. There are beautiful tanks of sharks, fish and sea life and several available “ touch tanks”. There is also multiple learning rooms as well as research areas. Top level has an outdoor area with observation deck . Im so excited for this new aquarium!! Beautiful inside and out!!!"
jmedley38
"The new Mote Marine Aquarium is absolutely incredible! They did an amazing job with this three-story build — each level offers something unique, with beautifully designed tanks full of fascinating marine life from all over the world. You can easily spend hours exploring the different exhibits, and every display feels thoughtfully arranged and well cared for.
There are several educational areas that make learning fun and engaging for all ages, and the augmented reality pod is a must-try — it’s such a cool experience to sit inside and watch short films that really bring the ocean to life. The staff were all super friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what they do, which made the visit even better.
To top it off, the gift shop was excellent, with a wide variety of high-quality souvenirs and educational items. Overall, Mote Marine Aquarium is a world-class destination that perfectly combines education, conservation, and entertainment. Highly recommend visiting"
Dave Cope
"This was a tough review that needs explaining. This aquarium is truly amazing for what it is. The different types of attractions is unique to the area and can be a fantastic experience. I love how they specifically have a ton of natural Florida type aquariums. The manatee are so adorable and the river fish are great to see.
Here is the reason for the 3 star review. If you have been to the Georgia Aquarium, this one can be a disappointment. It’s way smaller with less attractions. This is NOT the same type of aquarium as the Georgia one. This is an active research facility that you ca observe the animals they care for. There are no shows or attractions where someone is explaining what’s happening.
I hope this helps…again I do believe this is a great place to visit, but be aware it’s not like a normal, attraction based aquarium."
Gianpaolo Galessiere
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Mote SEA is located at 225 University Town Center Dr, Sarasota, FL 34243. It's easily accessible by car, with ample parking available. Overflow parking can be found at the nearby UTC Mall.
While specific public transport routes may vary, the aquarium is located in a well-connected area of Sarasota. It's recommended to check local transit schedules for the most up-to-date information.
From I-75, take exit 210 for FL-64 E/University Parkway. Turn right onto University Parkway and continue for approximately 1.5 miles. Mote SEA will be on your left.
Yes, the facility is stroller friendly, making it easy to navigate with young children.
Absolutely! The three-story facility is equipped with elevators, ensuring accessibility for all visitors.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Mote SEA is open to the public. While specific hours can vary, it's best to check their official website for the most current operating times.
Admission prices can vary. It's recommended to check the official Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium website for the latest ticket prices and any available discounts.
While tickets may be available at the door, purchasing them online in advance is highly recommended to secure your spot and potentially avoid long queues.
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium sometimes offers discounts, including for Florida residents. Check their website for current promotions, such as the 'HALF' code for half-off weekend admission for FL residents.
Yes, public tours for Mote's coral restoration research are limited to 12 participants and require advance reservation via their website to ensure a spot.
🎫 🐠 Onsite Experience
You can see over 100 marine species, including sharks, manatees, otters, sea turtles, penguins, and various local marine life.
Yes, Mote SEA features numerous interactive exhibits, including touch tanks where you can safely interact with sea creatures.
The augmented reality pod offers an immersive experience with short films that bring the ocean and its inhabitants to life, providing an engaging educational element.
Absolutely! Mote SEA is designed to be engaging for all ages, with interactive exhibits, touch tanks, and fascinating marine life that kids will love.
Yes, visitors can get a glimpse of some research areas and learn about Mote's ongoing conservation efforts.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there is a small cafe and a coffee shop available at Mote SEA, offering refreshments and snacks for visitors.
Reviewers have noted that cafe prices at Mote SEA are reasonable, making it a convenient option for a bite to eat during your visit.
While not explicitly stated, it's generally advisable to check Mote's policy on outside food and beverages. However, with onsite dining options, it's likely permitted for specific circumstances.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, photography is generally allowed in public areas of Mote SEA for personal use. However, always be respectful of other visitors and avoid flash photography that might disturb the animals.
The large, well-lit tanks with diverse marine life, the manatee and otter exhibits, and the observation deck offer fantastic photo opportunities.
Photography of dedicated research areas may be restricted to protect ongoing scientific work. It's best to adhere to any posted signage or staff instructions.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
The three-story layout offers plenty to explore, keeping little ones engaged. Remember to bring a stroller as the facility is stroller-friendly, and the elevators make navigating between floors easy. 🤓 Science Enthusiasts & Students
You can learn about cutting-edge coral restoration projects and red tide mitigation technologies. +1 Consider booking a laboratory tour to get an in-depth look at their scientific endeavors. The augmented reality pod also provides an engaging way to learn about marine ecosystems. 💰 Budget-Conscious Travelers
Visiting on a weekday morning can also help avoid peak crowds and potentially offer a more relaxed experience. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The New Mote Science Education Aquarium (SEA)
The design of SEA emphasizes interactivity, featuring multiple touch tanks where guests can safely get hands-on with creatures like sharks, stingrays, and starfish.
Beyond the exhibits, SEA includes learning rooms, research observation areas, and a virtual reality pod that provides an engaging, film-based journey into marine environments. This new aquarium represents a major step forward for Mote Marine Laboratory, expanding its capacity to educate the public and showcase its vital research.
It aims to be a world-class destination that seamlessly blends conservation, education, and entertainment, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in marine science and the health of our oceans. Mote's Commitment to Research and Conservation
While the SEA aquarium provides a public face for their work, the organization is deeply involved in critical research areas such as red tide mitigation, coral reef restoration, and sea turtle rehabilitation. +2Visitors can gain insight into this research through various means. Limited public tours offer a chance to see coral restoration efforts firsthand, providing a unique educational experience.
Mote also actively engages in animal ambassador programs, using animals like Hugh and Buffett the manatees to educate the public about their species and the importance of conservation. Their work extends to developing innovative technologies, such as methods to combat red tide using processes like cavitation. The integration of research and public education at Mote is a core philosophy. By allowing visitors to observe and learn about ongoing scientific endeavors, Mote aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for marine ecosystems and inspire action towards their protection.
This commitment makes a visit to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium not just an enjoyable outing, but also an educational journey into the heart of marine science. 
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