Swim with Dolphins at Miami Seaquarium

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The Miami Seaquarium is a world-famous oceanarium and theme park located on Virginia Key in Biscayne Bay near downtown Miami. Founded in 1955, the Miami Seaquarium was the largest marine-life attraction in the world at that time.

The Miami Seaquarium is home to hundreds of marine mammals, dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, manatees, and many other fascinating animals such as reptiles and tropical birds.

More than just a marine life preserve, the Miami Seaquarium lets visitors interact with animals - dolphins, otters, manatees, stingrays and sea turtles - in a responsible, sensible way and offers year-round ecologically-minded fun and educational activities for adult and children alike.

The Miami Seaquarium theme park also offers daily presentations as well as and many other group programs such as summer camps and overnight stays.


MIAMI SEAQUARIUM MAP

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Insider Travel Tips

  • The Miami Seaquarium spans over 38 acres (15 ha), is the longest running oceanarium in the U.S., and has gained worldwide fame thanks to the TV series Flipper that debuted in 1964 and is still a very popular show with kids.
  • The Miami Seaquarium features four to eight daily marine animal shows, plus numerous daily presentations, and education programs dedicated to protect and preserve all marine life.
  • Annual Passes, Day Tickets, and Swims are available on a seasonal basis and should be reserved beforehand (over 500,000 visitors a year). Make sure to check the Seaquarium's Tickets & Programs before planning your visit.
  • You can access the Miami Seaquarium by car, bike, taxi or bus ("Route B" or "CitySightSeeing Miami Tour" from Brickell Station). Parking is $10 per day (cash only) for cars, motorcycles, vans, campers and RVs.
  • The Miami Seaquarium also features many food options on location, such as the classic Pink's Hollywood Hot Dogs or the new organic-certified Organic Selects.
  • Discounts are available for seniors ($2 off), AAA Members (-20%), active military personnel (-50%),  IATAN travel agents (-50%). Go Miami Card holders get unlimited admission for one low price and can skip lines at top attractions.
  • No animals of any kind are allowed on the Seaquarium's premises.

Miami Seaquarium Shows

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  • One of the main reason why people come to Miami Seaquarium, Flipper - embodied by female bottlenose dolphines - is the the undisputed star of a new Caribbean themed show that has been totally revamped with new music and scenery, which makes the Flipper Dolphin Show a must-see for all ages.
  • Not to be outdone, Flipper's friends execute amazing acrobatics at the Top Deck Dolphin show, performing high-flying antics which can be admired all day long from above and below water.
  • The other big star of the Seaquarium, Lolita the Killer Whale is playing alongside Pacific white-sided dolphins in an aquatic ballet under the direction of their caring and loving trainers.
  • Finally, the Golden Dome Sea Lion show is a unique occasion to admire the humorous adventures of Salty the Sea Lion accompanied by his Reef Rangers in an amazing display of the sea lion's comedian mastery.

Upclose Animal Encounters

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  • Besides the daily show, Miami Seaquarium is the best place to enjoy an upclose and personal experience with the most lovable ocean's marine mammals, while resting assured that these beautiful ocean creatures treated with all the care and respect they deserve.
  • Dolphin Odyssey lets you hang out with dolphins during 30 minutes, interacting with them in many friendly ways from kissing to handshaking. The experience includes learning the basis of dolphin feeding and training, as well as an unforgettable swim with dorsal pull.
  • Dolphin Encounter is a similar experience, where dolphins swim around you and interact in shallow waters for about 30 minutes.
  • Seal Swim is a 15-20 minute interactive program with firendly harbor seals with hugs and kisses, while Trainer for a Day is a unique behind-the-scenes experience letting you slip in the shoes of an actual Seaquarium trainer, including preparing, organizing or even participating in the daily shows.
  • The Seaquarium's VIP Tour is a program where participants interact with various animals (iguana, macaw...) and marine mammals (manatees, stingrays, sea turtles) during 2,5 hours and take a picture with a sea lion or dolphin.

Seaquarium Exhibits & Other Activities

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  • Exhibits may not be the main point of interest for Seaquarium visitors, but they do fulfill the educational mission of the oceanarium, offer some interesting insight on marine life, and give an opportunity to see some rare and endangered animals from up close while waiting for the next show.
  • Penguin Isle (African Penguins), Tropical Reef (750,000-gallon saltwater aquarium filled with tropical fishes), Manatee Exhibit (Florida's iconic marine mammal), Stingray Exhibit, (Southern and Cownose Stingrays), and Tropical Fish Aquariums are the main underwater exhibits at Seaquarium, all available with a regular park entrance ticket.
  • A visitors' favorite since the park's opening in 1955, Shark Channel showing many different shark species is still a must-see exhibit, especially when the 200-pound legendary creatures go into a frenzy during feeding presentations.
  • The Seaquarium exhibits also take you above water to admire tropical birds (Cockatiels, Macaws, Flamingos) at the Tropical Wings exhibit, endangered sea turtles at Discovery Bay, and big saurian monsters at Crocodile Flats.
  • For those with more time on their hands, and families in search of a nice break, Sharky’s Sky Trail (aerial obstacle course), and Salty’s Pirate Playground (wet and dry playground area) are two good options to let the kids unwind.
  • Finally, you should definitely consider trying out the Sea Trek Reef Encounter, a fun 20-minute underwater journey in convenient diving suits and helmets to get cozy with tropical fish, sting rays and other marine life within a 300,000 gallon giant aquarium.

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