Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, located in Sarasota, Florida features more than 100 species of marine life and various exhibits such as touch pools for stingrays and sharks, a giant 135,000-gallon shark habitat and three species of resident sea turtles.
Get $1.00 Off Admission with a coupon at the bottom of this page!
Some resident species you can find in Mote Aquarium include manatees, sea turtles, river otters, sharks, spoonbills, axolotls, and more!
Mote Aquarium also features a sea turtle rehabilitation hospital that takes in sick and injured sea turtles and has admitted more than 650 sick and injured sea turtles since 1995. Mote is a world-renowned research and conservation facility with over 20 different research programs that span their science and research internationally.
Check out the Florida Watershed exhibit, which is home to three charismatic North American River Otters: Huck, Jane, and Pippi, a gopher tortoise named Pepito, two resident spoonbills and Rose, Mote’s resident American alligator.
You also can visit the Shark Zone, Mote Aquarium’s 135,000-gallon shark habitat that is also home to the three species of sharks and other popular Florida game fish.
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s captivating Mystery Reef exhibit explores the threats facing Florida’s coral reefs. Through activities such as a scavenger hunt, puzzle blocks, and an air maze, guests will leave with a better understanding of reef risks and mitigation strategies.
While educating guests on the health of Florida’s coral communities, Mystery Reef also allows guests to become coral detectives for a day.
Mote invites exhibit visitors to embark on an exhilarating, crime-solving scavenger hunt. With their sleuthing caps on, guests can investigate which prime suspect is guilty of hurting the reefs.
Guests can tangibly “mitigate” the suspects through various interactive exhibit elements. They will have the opportunity to “whack-a-lionfish,” simulate coral spawning through an air maze, and connect puzzle pieces to build a healthy reef. The exhibit will also showcase a giant inflatable coral where guests can complete their detective work.
Mystery Reef exhibit is included with admission.
Mote offers several other interactive experiences, such as educational programs for ocean lovers of all ages, internship and volunteer opportunities that allow you to expand your passion for marine conservation, animal husbandry, temporary exhibits, and holiday-themed family fun events.
Read our blog article about our visit to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
Educational Programs & Fun Learning Opportunities
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium offers private programs for single-household groups who want to visit Mote and have their own adventure.
During Mote’s Animal Encounters program, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes peek at what goes on before Mote Aquarium opens to the public, learn about animal care and ask Mote educators any questions you may have during your exclusive tour, then conclude your program with an animal feeding or enrichment activity.
Mote also offers a variety of family-friendly programs that are sure to delight all ages! Whether you’re Dip Netting in the Bay or joining a Seashore SEAfari, each program is a fun opportunity to learn about our local estuary and connect to nature.
To see a list of the private programs Mote has to offer visit mote.org/experiences.
Join Mote staff for an evening paddle as you explore Florida’s coastal waters at dusk by kayak. Discover the animals that bring Sarasota Bay to life at night while taking a relaxing paddle on the moonlit water.
This experience is available for adults 18 + and the time varies depending on sunset. Check out this immersive experience that gets you up close and personal with all of the beauty coastal Sarasota has to offer!
To learn more about kayak opportunities, please visit mote.org/experiences
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium also offers SEA Trek virtual field trips, which are live, two-way, interactive experiences between your school or organization and Mote Marine Laboratory in Florida!
Mote connects your audience to STEM subject matter experts and engages their curiosity with science demonstrations and lively animal encounters. Mote experts can see and hear your learners and vice versa via private, safe, interactive videoconferencing connections.
For all virtual program offerings, visit mote.org/seatrek
Deep Sea Diner Restaurant
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s casual, 50s-style diner offers visitors an opportunity to get a snack or lunch.
The Deep Sea Diner restaurant features an old-fashioned soda fountain where you can get hand-dipped ice-cream, shakes, and ice-cream sundaes. The affordable menu offers soups, salads, hamburgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, and french fries.
Inside and outside dining is available.
Admission and Tickets
General admission includes access to Mote Aquarium and the Ann and Alfred E. Goldstein Marine Mammal Research and Rehabilitation Center.
Admission to Mote Aquarium: (Effective 2024)
Adult (13 & older): $29
Youth (children age 3-12): $21
Children age 2 and under: Free
Active U.S. Military: Free – A current ID must be presented to qualify.
Mote Marine Aquarium Members: Free.
Guests applying reciprocal partner discounts: Free – Must show reciprocal zoo/aquarium membership card and ID.
Tickets must be purchased online in advance to guarantee admission.
Members are also encouraged to reserve their tickets online in advance (mote.org/membership). (mote.org/membership).
Tickets must be registered on site, in person for two admission specials: Active duty military guests (one free admission with current ID) and guests applying reciprocal partner discounts (show reciprocal partner membership card and ID). Limited tickets are available for these walkups each day on a first come, first served basis. No other special offers are accepted at this time.
More About Mote: Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is an independent, nonprofit, 501(c)3 research institution founded in 1955. Mote began and flourished through the passion of a single researcher, Dr. Eugenie Clark, her partnership with the community and philanthropic support, first of the Vanderbilt family and later of the William R. Mote family.
From their humble beginnings in a tiny, one-room laboratory in a small Florida town, Mote’s efforts have grown to include more than 20 diverse marine research programs.
Originally focused on sharks, their research has expanded to include coral reef research & restoration, the effects of natural toxic substances on the environment, the health of wild fisheries, developing sustainable and successful fish restocking techniques and food production technologies and the development of ocean technology to help us better understand the health of the environment.
Today, Mote is a top attraction based in Sarasota, Florida. Mote’s world-class research programs study oceans locally to internationally, with an emphasis on conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. Mote’s vision includes positively impacting public policy through science-based outreach and education.
