When the pandemic first began back in March and schools were shut down, many families spent more time at home watching TV, as did my family. It was during this time that we met and fell in love with Winter the dolphin, of the movie Dolphin Tale. This movie is based on the real story of an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin who was entangled in a crab trap line and subsequently lost her tail. She was transported to Clearwater Marine Aquarium who worked with Hanger Clinic to make a prosthetic tail for her to wear so she could swim again. We loved the movie so much, we were really excited to see that there was a sequel to the movie - Dolphin Tale 2, which explained how Winter's friend Hope came to the aquarium a few years later. Well, imagine my children's surprise to find out that this story was not only real, but it took place in Clearwater which was only a little over an hour from our house! A trip to see the aquarium immediately took a priority spot on our to-do list. And to make it even more special, we decided to take it up another notch by staying at the new Winter the Dolphin's Beach Club!
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium's mission is "to restore and preserve our marine environment ... through leadership in education, research, and the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life." They easily do this through fun and educational experiences, lots of Dolphin Tale exhibits and props and live animal interactions and experiences. It was a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
The aquarium had recently undergone some updates, most noticeably the new Ruth and J.O. Stone Dolphin Complex that is the new home to Winter, Hope, PJ, Nick and Hemingway. It is huge and provides spectacular underwater views of the dolphins as they happily swim around their new, state-of-the art-home.
Here is Winter enjoying a nice swim. I could sit and watch her swim around all day!
The dolphins are so friendly and curious. You only need to stand in one spot for a few moments before you have a friend visit - one who is as curious about you as you are about it. Here is a special up close and personal interaction between the kids and Hope.
There are a number of different animal presentations going on about every 30 minutes, including otters, shark feedings, dolphin sessions, turtle care and more. VIP experiences are available at an additional cost, including a VIP Rough-Toothed Dolphin Experience, Shark Care Experience, Feed a Stingray, and a behind the scenes tour of the rescue center, just to name a few. You can also book a guided boat tour around Clearwater Bay.
Since the kids were such big fans of Dolphin Tale, it was really neat to be able to see the props from the movie scattered around the aquarium. We were also able to visit the real set from the movie and were able to stand (and sit!) right where the actors had been. Here is a picture of us on set and thank you to CMA for giving the kids a dolphin and hat autographed by some of the stars from the movie!
While the dolphins are the main draw to the aquarium, there are also a number of other rescued animals to meet and interact with! Remember Rufus from the movie? You can meet his friends! We enjoyed our time with CMA's resident nurse shark, Thelma, who the trainer described as a big "puppy dog" that likes to cuddle on laps during feeding time. You can also visit Otter Oasis and see their playful resident otters, Walle & Boomer. Also, make sure to stop by Stingray Beach where you can learn more about the cownose stingrays and even have the chance to touch them. Walking around the aquarium was also fun and informative thanks to the many interactive exhibits that the kids enjoyed playing with.
The Aquarium is open daily from 10AM to 6PM with extended hours on select days until 8PM. (Upcoming holidays: Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas and open from 10AM to 2PM on Christmas Eve and 10AM to 4PM on New Year's Eve).
Daily admission is $29.95 for adults, $24.95 for children (ages 3 to 12), $26.954 for seniors (ages 60+) and children 2 and under are free. You can purchase your ticket online HERE. Admission for firefighters, EMTs, doctors, nurses, police, active-duty military, and teachers are free Monday through Thursday and discounted admission is available Friday through Sunday with valid ID. Guests eligible for Appreciation Admission Tickets Monday-Thursday may also receive free admission for one additional guest and 15% off for up to four other guests when purchasing at the ticket window on-site or by calling reservations.
Winter the Dolphin's Beach Club
After leaving the aquarium we hopped in our car and drove just a few miles (6 minutes!) to check into Winter the Dolphin's Beach Club. This hotel became a reality in the summer of 2020 when their 91-room (including family suites) beachfront hotel opened to the public. As Clearwater Beach's first eco-friendly and CMA-certified hotel, the resort features environmentally friendly options including special lighting that won't affect newly hatched sea turtles, the elimination of single-use plastics and special window treatments to reduce energy use. In support of the CMA, 100% of the daily Conservation Resort Fee of $9.95 per guest room goes directly back to the Aquarium to support their research and marine mammal care.
The lobby, rooms and common areas are all decorated in a fun nautical theme with pictures of Winter and her friends adorning the walls and even the elevators. The atmosphere of the hotel is very bright, laid back and beachy. The hotel currently has 1 outdoor dining restaurant, Cabanas Beachside, which is open daily for lunch and dinner and offers a variety of appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and burgers. A second restaurant, Cabanas Coastal Grill, is set to open soon!
The hotel is conveniently located on Gulfview Boulevard and is within easy walking distance to restaurants, stores, ice cream shops, miniature golf and the popular Pier 60 which features nightly celebrations with street performers and sidewalk vendors. We were easily able to walk everywhere we wanted to go. There is also a trolley that is fun to explore a little further into Clearwater.
As for us, we spent the majority of our time soaking up the rays and playing in the sand on the private beach which backs right up to the hotel. Our room's balcony had the most amazing views of the water and the sunsets were so pretty!
Sunday afternoon was a real treat as an employee from CMA visited the hotel with some very special friends from the aquarium. It was really neat to be able to learn about different sea creatures in a hands-on, personal learning experience. These educational experiences are a result of the partnership between the hotel and the aquarium, and as a guest you receive concierge support for all CMA ticketing as well as VIP entrance to the aquarium.
Our weekend was an unforgettable experience full of fun, sun and education. Now it is time for your family to experience Winter too! Tickets to the aquarium and/or a beach getaway would make an awesome holiday gift! Check out the website for some hotel deals HERE.
I was hosted by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Winter's Beach Resort for the purpose of this review. All opinions stated are my own.
