Located just minutes from bustling downtown Sarasota, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium gives ocean enthusiasts an up-close look at the wonders of marine life. Visitors can explore thrilling exhibits showcasing mysterious sharks, beautiful otters, touchable stingrays, manatees and even a tortoise.
Exploring the Exhibits
From pettable stingrays (who, by the way, are cousins to sharks) to colorful, playfully swimming fish, the exhibits at Mote are fascinating. There’s never a dull moment.
Visitors can learn about coral reef preservation by becoming a coral detective at the “Mystery Reef” exhibit. Not only can you earn a very special coral detective badge in an educational scavenger hunt, you can also learn what it takes to transform a stressed reef into a healthy one.
“The Shark Zone” is also one of the highlights of any trip to Mote. Visitors can watch live shark feedings three days a week. And adults enjoy learning about Mote’s shark research, which includes long- range shark tracking and investigations into why sharks are almost always cancer-free throughout their lifetime.
Further, visitors love exploring the world of manatees, meeting “Buffett” and watching him chow down scores of heads of lettuce. Buffett is a bit of a celebrity as one of the only manatees throughout the world who has been trained to assist in behavioral research regarding manatee conservation.
Mote Marine History
The history of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is an important aspect of both Sarasota history and the history of women in science. Founded in 1955, the nonprofit was based upon three principles; passion, partnership and philanthropy. That “passion” came from the late Dr. Eugenia Clark, a pioneering ichthyologist (fish researcher) who was fittingly nicknamed “The Shark Lady.”
Dr. Clark conducted 72 submersible dives (and even more with Scuba gear) in her lifetime with a goal of studying animal behavior in remote places. She discovered several fish species in one of her all-time favorite places to dive, the Red Sea.
Dr. Clark wrote a fascinating book about her Red Sea adventures entitled “Lady with a Spear.” That book caught the attention of two well-known philanthropists, Anne and William Vanderbilt. Consequently, they built a small lab where she could conduct her research.
You can guess what that lab is! Yes, it was what is now known as Mote Laboratory and Aquarium.
Now, Mote employs more than 300 staff members (including 40 PhD-level scientists) and conducts 27 research programs. Mote Marine Laboratory has been dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge, promoting conservation and inspiring a love for the ocean for almost seven decades.
Educational Programs
Education is one of the most important aspects of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. Mote offers numerous interactive programs and experiences that will appeal to all ages. From enlightening kayaking adventures to behind the scenes tours, there’s an educational adventure for every ocean enthusiast and every age group.
Conservation Efforts
There’s much more to Mote Aquarium than simply being a tourist attraction. Mote offers daily beach condition updates reported through volunteer observations. Further, it responds to sea turtle strandings and helps to protect turtle nesting. It also studies Karenia brevis, the organism that causes red tides in the Gulf of Mexico.
Mote’s team of scientists and researchers are dedicated to studying and protecting our delicate oceans and the beautiful creatures within them. They are making consistent strides that will protect the delicate marine ecosystem for generations to come.
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is a Sarasota favorite. Whether you’re a marine research enthusiast or a person who is simply looking for an entertaining adventure, there’s something to be found for everyone. A visit to Mote never disappoints. You’ll discover a world you never knew existed!