Aquarium fans and nature lovers will enjoy visiting Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium on City Island in Sarasota, FL. The award-winning facility offers an unforgettable deep dive into marine science and conservation through immersive exhibits, interactive programs, and hands-on discovery.
Mote Marine Laboratory is not just an aquarium, it’s a scientific powerhouse with global impact. Founded in 1955 by ocean pioneer Eugenie Clark, Mote leads cutting-edge research in shark ecology, coral restoration, marine mammal science, and more.
Its newest project, the Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA) at Nathan Benderson Park, will offer expanded educational reach, interactive labs, and massive Gulf of Mexico tanks. Is it any wonder that Mote attracts some 700,000 annual visitors?
Best of all, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium only 50 minutes from our Florida vacation rentals. The drive from Venice to the aquarium on scenic City Island in Sarasota is definitely worth your time.
Visiting Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
Mote Marine is located at 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, on City Island, in Sarasota, FL.
Dive into ocean exploration at the aquarium through hands-on touch tanks, interactive displays, and observation windows. Fascinating portals offering an unparalleled glimpse into marine science in action.
A visit to the aquarium brings the underwater world to life with over 100 different marine animals, many native to the Florida coast. These include sharks, manatees, reef fish, and sea turtles.
Don’t miss the “Oh Baby!” exhibit, where you’ll witness the early life stages of marine animals. Interactive play elements explain reproductive cycles, while touch tanks let you gently engage with baby sharks and starfish.
You’ll also get a peek behind-the-scenes of Mote’s labs to see real scientists at work on the groundbreaking research of Mote Marine Laboratory. Fascinating!
Hungry? Stop by the aquarium’s on-site Deep Sea Diner for Asian, barbecue, and Hawaiian-inspired dishes, perfect for refueling mid-visit.
For deeper immersion, reserve your space on one of Mote’s special experiences. Things like Turtle Time, which takes you behind the scenes to meet rescued sea turtles. They also offer a variety of Animal Encounters, such as Morning Rounds. Here you’ll learn the care routines for sharks and rays, complete with feeding opportunities.
You can even embark on a Sea Life Encounter Cruise to see dolphins, manatees, and birds in their natural habitats.
An Aquarium Day-Trip
It’s easy to make a fun day-trip out of your visit to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. There many worthy attractions nearby.
Ken Thompson Park, for example, is just minutes away with waterfront picnic areas, a nature trail, and scenic views of Sarasota Bay.
Beach lovers should consider a visit to Lido Key Beach. This sunbathing, shell hunting, and swimming destination is less than 10 minutes from Mote.
St. Armands Circle, a stylish outdoor shopping and dining district, is also close by with popular boutiques, ice cream parlors, and al fresco cafés.
Meet otters, gaze at sharks, do a little exploring, then it’s an easy jaunt back to your Banyan House Florida vacation rental. The makings of a perfect day!
Visit mote.org for more information. You can also find Mote on Facebook.