Is Clearwater Marine Aquarium Worth a Visit?

I vote yes, and here’s why.

Photo by author

Before the movie Dolphin Tale became a blockbuster hit, I’d never heard of Clearwater. I’d also never heard of Clearwater Marine Aquarium, the now-famous home of Winter the dolphin.

But just like it did for so many other people, that film resonated with me. Something deep inside me felt a connection to this little dolphin and her amazing story of survival against all odds. Once I found out that CMA was indeed a real facility (and not just a movie set), I wanted to learn more.

This desire to see Winter in person and to find out more about the work they did eventually led to a special road trip with my mom all the way from Canada a few years ago. We spent several hours at the aquarium over a couple of days, and the more I learned, the more I fell in love with their inspiring mission and the vision they have for a world that protects and values marine life and its importance.

The aquarium is, first and foremost, a center for animal rescue, rehabilitation, and release. All its animals on public display are rescues that couldn’t survive on their own in the wild. — Tampa Bay Times

About the Aquarium

When my mom and I first visited, the building that had been converted into the aquarium was…