A new aquarium is opening soon. See how it compares to other Florida attractions

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium will open its long-anticipated new aquarium in Sarasota in early October.

The Mote Science Education Aquarium will open to the public on Oct. 8 at Nathan Benderson Park. The 146,000-square-foot complex will feature over a million gallons of aquarium space, with an emphasis on hands-on learning experiences for students. .

How much will a visit cost you compared to other popular aquariums in Florida and the Southeast?

Here’s how Mote SEA ticket and membership prices stack up against others in the region.

Mote SEA ticket prices

Mote SEA will offer a “plan ahead pricing model,” and tickets will need to be purchased online to guarantee entry. With the pricing model, discounted rates are available for guests who purchase tickets at least 30 days in advance.

While the “SEA It First” member preview days on Oct. 6 and Oct. 7 are sold out, those interested in seeing Mote’s new facility at Nathan Benderson Park can still purchase tickets for opening week. Mote SEA will operate seven days a week.

Tickets to visit Mote SEA are slightly more expensive than Mote’s former aquarium on City Island, which charged $29 for adults and $21 for children.

Tickets for opening day, Wednesday, Oct. 8:

• $34 for adults
• $26 for youth

On Saturday, Oct. 11:

• $37 per adult
• $29 for youth tickets

More than a month out:

• $33 per adult
• $25 for youth tickets

Miami Seaquarium

This famous attraction on the Rickenbacker Causeway is at a crossroads with the recent death of Lolita the killer whale, a focus on animal habitat and possible redevelopment plans. The Miami Seaquarium features sea lions, penguins and a landmark golden dome, and is best known for the Flipper dolphin show.

Ticket prices:

• General admission starts at $32.99
• 70th anniversary off of $19.55 on select days
• Extra fees for animal encounters and tours

Frost Science

The Frost science museum complex along the bayfront in downtown Miami includes a signature aquarium. The 500,000-gallon, conical tank holds deepwater fish from the nearby Gulf Stream. Devil rays, tuna and mahi mahi swim among three varieties of shark — scalloped hammerheads, sandbar and tiger sharks. Three levels down, visitors can peer all the way up through the saltwater and the flotilla of fish thanks to a huge oculus — a 31-foot-wide angled porthole — at the tank’s bottom.

Ticket prices:

• Adult tickets start at $29.95
• Youth (ages 4-11) tickets start at $24.95
• Free for children 3 and under

Florida Aquarium

The Florida Aquarium, a 250,000-square-foot aquarium in Tampa, also offers a plan-ahead pricing model. According to the website, this model offers guests “the opportunity to enjoy an Aquarium visit on a day that best accommodates budget and schedule needs, and provides accessibility to a variety of audiences.”

Ticket prices:

• $34 per adult for weekday general admission
• $37-41 per adult for weekend general admission
• Tickets purchased further in advance are discounted, but same-day tickets could be up to $41 for a weekday

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Located in Clearwater, this more than 100,000-square-foot aquarium is a non-profit organization that also focuses on rescue, rehabilitation and release of marine life like dolphins. The aquarium has indoor and outdoor spaces where guests can see marine life including rescued marine mammals like rough-toothed dolphins.

Ticket prices:

• $41.95 per adult
• $39.95 for seniors ages 65 and above
• $32.95 for children ages 3-11
• Children under two years old are free
• Florida residents receive $10 off during weekdays for a limited time

Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure

The 55,000-square-foot facility opened in 2024 and is located in Daytona Beach. It features experiences with marine and sea animals, and includes over 60 exhibits like a 110,000-gallon shark tank, reptiles and rainforest animals.

Ticket prices:

• $29.95 per adult
• $25.95 per youth ticket
• $28.95 for military, police officers, college students and seniors over the age of 65

Georgia Aquarium

While it’s outside of the state, the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is the largest aquarium in the United States and the sixth largest in the world. The aquarium includes over 11 million gallons of water throughout its aquariums, some of which house larger marine life like whale sharks and manta rays.

Ticket prices:

• $67.99 for “anytime general admission” 
• Children under two years old are free
• “Plan and Save” general admission offers discounts based on booking date and peak times. Weekdays vary around $44-46 per ticket, whereas weekends are closer to $47-48. Prices also vary depending on how far in advance you book.

Carter Weinhofer

Bradenton Herald

Carter Weinhofer is the Bradenton Herald’s Accountability Reporter. He covers politics, development and other local issues. Carter’s work has received recognition from the Florida Press Association, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Florida Society of News Editors. He graduated from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg.