Mote Marine Aquarium’s New Sarasota Location Opens at Nathan Benderson Park
A brand-new chapter for marine science and family fun has begun. Mote Marine Aquarium officially opened its new location October 8 at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, bringing visitors even closer to ocean life with larger exhibits, interactive experiences, and cutting-edge research.
The new facility, called Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA), replaces the longtime Mote campus on City Island. Construction was underway for more than two years, and the move marks one of the biggest expansions in the aquarium’s history.
According to Mote officials, the new aquarium is three times larger than the old one and is designed to hold more than one million gallons of water. Inside, guests can explore exhibits featuring sharks, manatees, sea turtles, jellyfish, reef fish, penguins and coral restoration labs. One of the most anticipated features is a massive three-story Gulf of Mexico habitat with a panoramic viewing window.
In a press release, Mote stated that the new aquarium aims to “inspire a new generation of ocean champions by providing a world-class experience that combines interactive learning with groundbreaking research.”
Several area teachers were invited to attend a preview of the facility October 23. Marine Biology teacher Jason Miller was one of them and was given a behind-the-scenes look at the new space.
“It was quite interesting to go over there. We went in through a side door, and they had us meeting in a big ballroom with little snacks.” Miller said. “I got to hang out with some teacher friends from Riverview and Pine View, and then staff from Mote talked to us about their excitement to work with teachers and establish educational relationships.”
Miller was impressed with the building’s design and layout.
“It’s a cool building. The first impression is everything is nice and new, and very tall. You walk in the front door and see the large circular opening and the escalator all the way up to the third floor. It really makes an impression,” Miller said.
The preview allowed teachers to explore classrooms and lab spaces, giving them insight into how students could interact with the facility.
“They have a robotics classroom, a microbiology classroom, and a coral husbandry classroom,” Miller said. “We were able to talk to staff about the aquaculture lab and coral lab, see the exhibits, and get a real behind-the-scenes look. They even have a penguin exhibit with a glass tube where you can pop up and see the penguins nose-to-nose.”
He also emphasized the educational and community impact of the new location.
“It’s going to be a great tourist attraction and a great educational facility. Not only will it bring tourists in, but they’re working with schools to share knowledge with teachers and students,” Miller said. “With I-75 nearby, it’s more accessible than the old City Island location and highly visible, which will attract more visitors.”
Although the City Island campus no longer serves as the main public aquarium, Mote continues to use that property for marine animal research and rehabilitation, ensuring its scientific mission remains strong.
Local schools and families have already started planning field trips to experience the new exhibits firsthand. With interactive displays, expanded habitats, and improved access for all visitors, Mote’s move represents a major step forward for ocean education and conservation awareness in Florida.