Mote is a must for any SW Florida trip and would be perfect for that rainy day family outing.

The best time to go is around 10:00 am on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday. Upon entering the main building, you’ll be greeted by guides knowledgeable of the exhibits including sea turtles, sea horses, moray eels and much, much more. You will learn about habits, habitat and rescue efforts as well as scientific expeditions conducted by Mote.

The 135,000-gallon shark tank is just outside containing bull, sandbar and other sharks as well as giant grouper and more. Hopefully, you’ll be right on-time for their feeding. Although, a staff member will be feeding from the observatory up top, stay below and watch the action through the glass.

    Shark feedings at 11:00 am… Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
    Manatees between 12:00 & 3:00 pm… Monday through Friday
    Dolphins no set schedule but, they’re fed daily

Nearby, are touch tanks filled with conchs, horseshoe crabs, sea urchins, star fish and rays. For a few extra dollars, little ones can sift through sand for souvenir shark’s teeth.

A short walk across the street there’s another building with displays of dolphins, manatees and several types of sea turtles.

Back through the parking lot, don’t miss the aquatic bird rescue run by another non- profit and is free to tour. All the birds that are on display are in some level of rehabilitation.

Make a day of it…
While traveling to Mote Marine on Ken Thompson Parkway, you may have noticed Sarasota Bay Walk Park on the right. With limited parking on the street there are two access points into this FREE experience. Sandy paths and boardwalks crossing inlets and mangroves with sea grass are well marked with signage describing flora and fauna and other points of interest. This park is part of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program and is appropriate for families with young children.

Another wonderful experience is the 105 minute boat trip onto Sarasota bay. There you’ll observe baby sea turtles after a squid lunch, seahorses in grass beds along the shore and bottle nose dolphins frolicking in the bay. A certified marine biologist conducts this hands-on educational tour with great information about sand dollars and other creatures from the ocean floor. Teens tend to enjoy this adventure the most!
For reservations, Click Here or call Sarasota Bay Explorers (941) 388-4200

Follow a drive through Mote’s parking lot and you’ll end up at the entrance to the Ski-a-Rees Water Ski Show. From February through May, enjoy FREE performances held every Sunday at 2:00 pm. Ski-a-Rees

Places to eat…
For those interested in picnicking you’re in for a wonderful adventure. There are covered tables with grills… at the beach…fishing pier… or near three different age appropriate playgrounds. Need to fill your cooler with goodies? I would suggest you stop at Nosh-a-Rye Deli. Located at Avenue of the Flowers Shopping Center, they’ll supply the most mouthwatering homemade delights. Nosh-A-Rye

If you’re in need of immediate sustenance, while visiting the aquarium, Mote’s café is housed in the research building beyond the sting ray exhibit. Two other restaurants can be found at the entrance to Ken Thompson Pkwy and across from Mote Marine.