Clearwater Marine Aquarium
The working rescue hospital that was home to Winter and the real-life set of Dolphin Tale. Here is what to see, how to plan your visit, and where to stay just minutes away.
Not your average aquarium
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a nonprofit rescue, rehabilitation, and release center first, and a place to visit second. Almost every animal you meet is here because it was hurt, stranded, or could not survive in the wild, and the mission is to get as many of them home as possible. That story is what makes a visit here so different from a typical big-city aquarium.
It is also the place that made Clearwater famous around the world. Winter the dolphin was rescued nearby in 2005, lost her tail, and learned to swim again with a one-of-a-kind prosthetic. Her story became the movies Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2, both filmed right here on Island Estates. Winter passed away in 2021, but her legacy, and the rescue work she inspired, live on every single day.
A real rescue hospital
Watch marine-mammal and sea-turtle patients in active rehabilitation, and see the mission of rescue, rehab, and release up close.
The home of Dolphin Tale
Walk the same grounds where the Winter movies were filmed, and learn the true story behind the prosthetic tail that inspired millions.
Turtles, otters, rays & sharks
Meet resident dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, sharks, and pelicans across indoor and outdoor habitats.
Boat tours & encounters
Add a Sea Life Safari boat trip or an animal encounter for a behind-the-scenes look you cannot get from the walkways.
Plan your visit
Where it is
249 Windward Passage, on Island Estates, just across the Memorial Causeway from Clearwater Beach. It is a five-minute drive from the sand.
Hours
Generally open daily from mid-morning to late afternoon, with longer hours in peak season. Always check the aquarium's official site for the day you plan to visit.
Tickets
Buy online in advance to save time and money. Tickets are typically valid for a second consecutive day, so you can split your visit if you like.
Getting there & parking
There is a parking garage on Island Estates, and the Jolley Trolley stops nearby. Staying on the beach? You can walk or ride over in minutes.
How long to stay
Plan two to three hours to see the habitats, catch a presentation or two, and let kids enjoy the play areas without rushing.
Best time to go
Mornings are calmest and coolest. It is also a perfect rainy-day or midday plan when the beach sun gets strong.
Hours, pricing, ticket rules, and the animals in residence change over time. Confirm the current details on the Clearwater Marine Aquarium's official website before you go.
The aquarium and our nearby rentals
The teal marker is the aquarium. The orange markers are Sunny Orange Stays vacation rentals, so you can see just how close you could be staying.
Do not miss
- The dolphin and rescue habitats. The heart of the aquarium, where you can watch care sessions and learn each animal's rescue story.
- The sea turtle rehabilitation. Injured turtles recover here before release. It is a highlight for kids and a real look at conservation in action.
- The Dolphin Tale film props and exhibits. See pieces from the movies and the story of Winter's prosthetic tail.
- Animal presentations and feedings. Time your visit around the daily schedule so you catch the talks, which are the best way to learn.
- A Sea Life Safari cruise. Departing from Clearwater Beach Marina, this narrated eco-tour nets and releases live sea creatures and often spots wild dolphins.
Insider tips
Book tickets online the night before. It is cheaper than the gate and skips the line on busy days.
Grab a presentation schedule when you arrive and build your visit around the talks and feedings.
Pair it with Island Estates. The little marina village has ice cream, a beach shop, and easy parking.
Ride the Clearwater Ferry or Jolley Trolley from the beach and skip the parking search entirely.
Frequently asked questions
Is Winter the dolphin still at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium?
No. Winter, the dolphin whose story inspired the movie Dolphin Tale, passed away in November 2021. You can still learn her story, see Dolphin Tale exhibits, and meet the aquarium's other rescued animals, and the rescue mission she inspired continues every day.
Where is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium?
It is at 249 Windward Passage on Island Estates in Clearwater, just across the Memorial Causeway from Clearwater Beach and about a five-minute drive from the sand.
How much time should I plan for a visit?
Most families spend two to three hours seeing the habitats and catching a couple of presentations. Tickets are usually valid for a second consecutive day if you want to split your visit.
Was Dolphin Tale filmed at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium?
Yes. Both Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2 were filmed on location at the aquarium and around Clearwater, which is part of what made the attraction famous worldwide.
Is the aquarium a good rainy-day activity?
It is one of the best. Much of the experience is under cover, so it is a perfect plan for a rainy day or for the hottest part of a sunny afternoon.
How far is the aquarium from Clearwater Beach vacation rentals?
Very close. Many Sunny Orange Stays rentals on and around Clearwater Beach are within a few minutes by car, trolley, or ferry, as the map above shows.
Stay minutes from the aquarium
With 92 rentals across 8 Gulf Coast communities, you can wake up near the beach, spend the morning with the rescues, and be back at your own place for an afternoon swim.
Browse Clearwater Beach rentals