Family enjoyed our visit back to CMA and were delighted to see the new exhibits that were added. Although small to learn the stories from the staff of the animals in them was great. love sitting and watching the dolphins in the windows and be able to interact at times with them. Love the events they do, the food in the Cafe, the boat trip and some of the behind the scene experiences, and the gift shop. We understand this is a working marine hospital and what we special goes back to the rescue, rehab and release of these precious animals. it is sad others don't understand this is not a normal aquarium. Always find the staff very attentive, professional and really care about the animals. Anytime we are in the Clearwater area we visit and support CMA!

We had a wonderful experience, despite a drizzly day. The staff is very helpful and informative, especially Fernando in the Sea Cavern. He had answers to all of our questions about the amazing little deep sea critters on display.

The build a salad for a turtle experience was not something we’d recommend or do again. My 7 year old is still less than impressed almost two weeks later. lol The intern seemed very uncomfortable around people. At the end of the tour there was another volunteer present and I asked if there was a map somewhere, or which way to go to get back to the beginning since our sea turtle experiment brought us straight to the turtles . They argued and gave me conflicting information about which way to go and I was told there was a map at the entrance where we started. Found a map as soon as I left he turtle room. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Watching the dolphins was definitely the highlight of this place. There are several windows that allow viewing underwater as well as an area on a higher floor to watch them at the surface. After paying for parking and the experience I wouldn’t go again.

Nice place. They're actually expanding, we enjoyed our visit. people who work there are extremely friendly and knowledgeable including the volunteers. we spent many hours asking a lot of questions. we took the Safari boat tour, which I highly recommend enjoyed it very much. Saw quite a bit of sea life. My only complaints are. The tickets are quite expensive but it does go to help taking care of the animals, Unfortunately, I'm afraid many families would pass this over because of the cost. My biggest complaint It's it's very confusing where you're supposed to go for the different demonstrations, there are 4 floors. It will tell you a certain demonstration is at 3:45 PM and meet at the turtle tank. But it doesn't tell you which floor the turtle tank is on. It's very Confusing. I spent a lot of time asking people who work there where I needed to be, and most had no clue, and by the time I got there most of the stuff was done. You cannot take your own food in and food is about $18 a person for a meal. Buying a food voucher on line saves you about $2. Also let me warn you about parking, it says park in parking garage on 3rd. floor, what it doesn't tell you it's $15 more for parking, park on the street, I was very angry that it doesn't tell you that ahead of time. If your looking for an aquarium experience, this is not the place. This is a rescue and reserch center. I tried to leave a review on their website but it won't let you.

Such an amazing place and a wonderful mission. For those wanting to visit, I'd recommend reading about it in advance to full grasp how amazing it truly is. Flew in from Canada and will be back as many times as I visit Florida. Incredible place!

We had a peaceful, relaxing day at CMA. We learned a lot and highly enjoyed "visiting" with the dolphins through the glass. The new building is beautiful and the old (which we saw ten years ago) is still functioning, clean, and well-maintained. The marine biologists, trainers, and volunteers are friendly and informative. It has been our favorite day so far on our vacation and even if we don't stay in Clearwater the next time we visit Florida, we decided as a family we would love to travel to CMA for the day. What an incredible, relatively quiet, beautiful, educational day!

Nice place to visit while in the Clearwater area. Dolphins, shark, stingrays, sea turtles, etc. All for you to see and some to interact with. If you understand that your entrance fee helps to support the rehabilitation process, you won’t think it is overpriced. That staff are helpful, polite and professional. Not your usual aquarium, but a nice place to visit. Food is inexpensive and very good.

Agree with other reviewers that you need to know what you are paying for when visiting. We knew it was a rescue center but assumed that at least the dolphin show would be worth the price of admission, which is quite high . It would have been worth if we could have seen the dolphin show. Unless you are in the front row, it is impossible to see over other people's heads. There is also a significant amount of glare that turns the dolphins and trainers into dark shadows. I was there with small kids, and even though we arrived early for the show, all the viewing spots were full, and most of the adults weren't willing to make room for the kids. Never mind the kids, I was really disappointed not to be able to see and enjoy the show. The rescue work and rescue stories are wonderful, and I am so happy this place exists. Maybe there is some way to better accommodate visitors at least for the show.

We spent about three hours here and enjoyed every minute of it. They have a great home for their rescue dolphins (all unable to be released into the wild for various reasons), and you are able to view them both below the water and from above. We saw a couple of presentations (one with the dolphins, one about the otters) and they were both professional and informative. Highlight was how truly excited all the employees seemed to be about working here, especially when answering questions. Lowlight was hearing parents and kids wondering where they could find Winter, the inured dolphin from the Dolphin Tale movie and sequel, having sadly come to visit her three years after her death. If this is a pilgrimage, prep your kids and/or yourself for that! (To be fair to the aquarium, they are upfront about this and had lots of memorials for her.)

We approached ticket counter and were encouraged to add on a behind the scenes tour so we agreed. DO NOT WASTE YOUR $. Rehab area for turtles was pointless-we couldn’t see anything. Guide had to shout over competing noises as the area above was under construction. Additionally she spoke very rapidly and was drowned out by a public address system that seemed to follow our tour. I approached Guest Services to express our disappointment and was told nothing could be done since I already went on the tour. Facility has potential to be a great destination but they’re not there yet.