Get up close and personal with some of Miami's best known aquatic celebrities at this world-famous attraction.
Since 1955, families have flocked to the Seaquarium to make the most of Miami's tropical climate and sit outside and enjoy the marine shows featuring dolphins, killer whales and sea lions. Many attractions offer the opportunity to get so close to these amazing creatures, and all the shows have some kind of audience participation: be prepared!
The show timetable varies from day to day so check the schedule on the attraction's website before you go, but if you can, try and see the Lolita the Killer Whale show. During the performance, pacific white-sided dolphins play alongside Lolita and show off their intelligence and playful nature.
Another star of the show needs little introduction and the setting might seem familiar too, as TV star Flipper performs in the lagoon which served as the set for the original TV show. The stars of the sea perform spins and flips to the sounds of some of the States' biggest beach-themed hit songs.
For an experience to treasure, the park offers Dolphin Encounters. After a fun classroom-based introduction into the life of a dolphin, you head to a pool where for 30 minutes, wet-suit-clad participants can interact with these intelligent and gentle mammals. You stand in shallow water with an instructor as a dolphin swims to you while you shake hands, touch and play with the mammal. If you want to swim alongside one of the Seaquarium's stars, the Seal Swim programme allows you to interact with harbour seals. After you change into a wetsuit, you join the seals in the water for your 15-20 minute long swim.
Aside from the shows and the close encounters, there are plenty of exhibits to keep you occupied. One of the highlights has to be Crocodile Flats on Discovery Bay's Upper Island where the beasts roam freely and bask in the sun. Some are almost 5 metres long and weigh in at 450 kg!
The Seaquarium is spread over 15 hectares and is open every day of the year. It is located on the Rickenbacker Causeway between Downtown Miami and Key Biscayne.
