Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters — Attraction in Marathon

I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this aquarium!!! I always make it a point to go on adventures on the weekends and I decided to go to the Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters facility this time. I signed up for a Big Shark Bay shark feed and was able to have the sheer luck of having a one on one session with marine biologist Isabella. I’m currently studying marine conservation so to be able to not only ask questions, but relate to Isabella was such a unique, indescribable experience. Of course, meeting and learning about the nurse sharks (Baby, Gillie, Notch, Laverne, and Shirley) was super amazing too!!

To Isabella, thank you for talking with me and giving me tips on how to further myself in the field of marine biology!! Even after I had finished my encounter with the sharks, you came over to give me some more tips from your own personal experience which was so thoughtful of you. Thank you again, I’ll never forget that!!

The aquarium itself though was utterly magical. I’ve been to many aquariums and even worked at the largest in the U.S. but I’ve never felt so immersed into the fishes’ tropical ecosystem as I did exploring this one. It’s all outdoors and adapted into the landscape and canals. With so many interactive exhibits (bunches of touch tanks!) and educational opportunities, not only is it fun for children but I promise, adults will have the same amount of fun (I know I did)!!

The last thing I’d like to mention is I walked around the aquarium 30 minutes until closing because I was so entranced that I lost track of time! But as I was leaving (the last guest leaving of course lol) I had an employee behind me call out to me. I will never in my life forget the kindest face I was greeted with when she said “Thank you for coming in today.” She proceeded to tell me that it always makes her happy to see younger people come in, especially by themselves like I had. It was such a simple yet beautiful interaction. So to the lovely lady with the British/Australian accent (I apologize, I couldn’t place your accent), thank you for ending my experience at your facility on such a heartwarming note.

To anyone debating on coming here: DO. IT. Sure, you can visit the Florida Keys and go fishing and snorkeling and diving, but this place gives you the opportunity to learn about the animals you see on those dive trips and even offers the chance to ask questions about them. Plus, the staff is so sweet and willing to make your time at the aquarium...

Deserve 10star because it's an amazing place to see and interact with ocean habitants... But one person kinda spoiled a day for me... Called ahead to see if it's ok to purchase a stingray encounter as a present for my mom because she doesn't speak English but I said that I'll be there to translate everything and that I've already done that encounter myself before. Received an answer that it's cool as long as I'm behind her telling her the instructions. I purchased tickets for both of us and stingray encounter and shark feeding for Mom. We arrived on her birthday to the aquarium and we're met but Tracey at the register, I explained that I purchased all of that for Mom as a present for her birthday and she went crazy, became angry and said she won't allow us to do any of the activities because Mom doesn't understand English... I politely explained that I called ahead to make sure its ok and that I was given a green light but she kept arguing... I asked if she could check with someone else and she wasn't happy... She left and came back to tell me that people who's going to be with us during the encounter said it's cool but "I'm lucky that she's not the one who's making decisions and she would never allow us to do it"... I felt bad cause my mom was right there and that was the beginning of her day, her birthday... I wanted to ask for a refund at that point... but decided to give it a chance... Finally after all that we were able to enter and after that everything was just wonderful, HUGE THANKS TO KRISTEN who was our lovely stingray encounter and shark feeding guide, super knowledgeable and sweet, she made everything easy and smooth, my mom was very happy and sooo excited, again KRISTEN saved the...

What a fabulous find on our trip to Marathon. This place is beautiful and has lots of sea and land creatures to look at and learn about. Built next to Vaca Cut, it is infused with natural beauty and tidal waters that flow in and out of this place. Mangroves growing along side the canals and beautiful fish big and small live here. Definitely a surprise place that we enjoyed visiting. Adult tickets are $30 a piece and in our eyes, it is worth it cause we enjoy taking our time and watching and learning about the different creatures. There are also upgrade experiences that you can book. All of it is listed on their website. You can feed different marine life for a few bucks more which is an affordable option especially when you are there with kids. For a few dollars we chose to feed the barracuda. When you finish feeding the barracuda, they had us go to the little pool with fish that eat the dead skin and fish smell off your fingers. 😆 There is a huge touch tank with rays who are more than willing to let you touch them. Atmosphere is clean and the workers are friendly and informative. I enjoyed learning about creatures that I have never seen before and I have visited many other aquariums in the US. A must see stop in my opinion because of the way they bring together and support the natural beauty and ecosystem of the Florida Keys into the Florida Keys Aquarium Encounter and all the different creatures that live in the Florida Keys. Looks like a nice place to have a party. They may offer rental space for parties as you will see the space in my pictures. It is absolutely beautiful how they have incorporated the natural beauty...