Miami Seaquarium

Miami Seaquarium is a marine complex on Virginia Key in Miami that covers thirty-eight acres and features three distinct levels displaying different marine habitats, from mangrove forests to deep Gulf Stream environments. The facility presents numerous marine species in aquariums and outdoor pools that give visitors insights into various oceanic zones.

The marine park opened on September 24, 1955, as the second such attraction in Florida and the largest of its kind worldwide at that time. Over the following decades, the facility expanded its offerings and adapted to changing standards in animal care.

Between 1963 and 1967, this facility served as the filming location for eighty-eight episodes of the television series Flipper. The connection to the show still shapes how many visitors perceive the place, recalling the beloved series.

The facility includes multiple educational stations and presentation areas, including a Gulf Stream tank holding roughly 500,000 gallons where visitors can observe numerous marine species. Pathways lead through the different themed sections, with some areas outdoors where sun protection is advisable.

A 31-foot (9.5-meter) oculus lens at the bottom of the Gulf Stream Aquarium allows visitors to watch sharks swimming directly overhead. This perspective from below offers an unusual vantage point on the movements of the animals in the water.