Mote Marine Aquarium Sarasota: Hours, Tickets, and Tips From Siesta Key

Mote Marine Aquarium Sarasota is Mote SEA, the aquarium’s new home at University Town Center, and it makes an easy mainland day trip for anyone staying at a Siesta Key vacation rental. The $146 million, 146,000 square foot facility opened on October 8, 2025 after Mote Marine Laboratory moved its public aquarium off City Island, where it had operated for 45 years. This guide covers the hours, address, what is inside, how ticket pricing works, and tips for visiting with kids.

What Is Mote Marine Aquarium Sarasota (Mote SEA)?

Mote SEA, short for the Science Education Aquarium, is the new public face of Mote Marine Laboratory, a marine research organization based in Sarasota. The building holds more than one million gallons of water across three floors of habitats and is run by Mote president and CEO Dr. Michael P. Crosby. Most of the funding came from private donors, with the Benderson family playing a central role in the project.

Mote still runs active research labs behind the scenes, covering everything from coral genetics and aquaculture to ocean engineering and veterinary conservation. The aquarium side alone delivers free, hands on STEM learning to more than 70,000 students a year, including 26,000 from Title I schools, according to the reporting on the opening. That research mission is part of what makes the exhibits feel different from a typical roadside aquarium.

Mote Marine Aquarium Hours and Location

Mote SEA is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 225 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota, FL 34243. The aquarium sits on the Sarasota mainland in the University Town Center area, not on Siesta Key itself, so plan for some drive time across the bay bridges to get there.

University Town Center has plenty of restaurants and shops nearby if you want to turn the visit into a half day outing. Parking at Mote SEA is free, which keeps the trip simple for families juggling strollers, coolers, and beach gear left back at the rental.

What You Will See Inside Mote SEA

The aquarium is organized into a handful of galleries, each built around a different marine environment. The Florida’s Gulf Coast gallery centers on a sweeping habitat with sharks, rays, moon jellies, and sea turtles, plus hands on touch stations and a display honoring Mote founder Dr. Eugenie Clark.

The Florida Waters gallery features manatees, river otters, an alligator snapping turtle, and gopher tortoises, alongside an exhibit called Tech in the Depths that explains the tools Mote scientists use to study the ocean. The Indo Pacific gallery recreates a coral reef environment with reef sharks, corals, sea stars, Humboldt penguins, and a giant Pacific octopus. An optional audio tour reads the exhibit text aloud, and staff run daily animal feedings and training demonstrations throughout the building.

Mote Marine Aquarium Tickets and Pricing

Mote SEA uses Plan Ahead Pricing, so admission costs change based on how far in advance you book and which day you plan to visit. Buying at least 30 days ahead, and especially 60 days or more, typically gets the best rate, and weekday visits from Monday through Wednesday tend to cost less than weekends. Prices are subject to change and tickets can be bought up to three months ahead, so book early since walk up tickets are not guaranteed to be available.

A few discounts apply only in person at the ticket window. Active duty United States military members get free admission with a current military ID, though the discount does not cover the rest of their party. Visitors with a membership at a reciprocal zoo or aquarium can get a discount by showing their membership card and ID on site, and groups of 10 or more save 10 percent on admission when they book roughly 30 days ahead.

Tips for Visiting Mote SEA With Kids

Plan one and a half to three hours for a full visit, and arrive right at opening if you want the smallest crowds, since nearby events at University Town Center can add traffic later in the day. Mote SEA has been recognized as Autism Friendly by CARD USF and keeps a limited number of sensory friendly backpacks with ear protection and fidget toys on hand, so ask Guest Services about availability when you arrive.

Our guide to 24 great things to do with kids in Sarasota already points families toward Mote’s exhibits as one of the best indoor options for a hot afternoon, and this guide fills in the details on hours, tickets, and what changed with the move. The Bite Café on the top floor, a coffee cart, and a gift shop are all on site if you need a break partway through.

Other Mainland Sarasota Attractions to Pair With Your Trip

Mote SEA pairs naturally with other mainland stops if you are already making the drive off Siesta Key for the day. Sarasota’s circus history at the Ringling is a short drive away and makes a good combination for a full day of mainland sightseeing. If you are still deciding when to book your trip, our guide to the best time to visit Siesta Key covers the seasonal weather and crowd patterns that affect both the beach and mainland attractions like Mote. Our full Siesta Key attractions checklist rounds up several other mainland stops worth the drive.

Plan Your Siesta Key Stay Near Mote Marine Aquarium

A Siesta Key vacation rental puts you close to the beach every day and still leaves Mote SEA within easy reach for a mainland outing. Browse our full collection of Siesta Key vacation rental homes or call us at 941 422 2716 to start planning a stay that fits both the beach days and the day trips.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mote Marine Aquarium Sarasota

What are the hours for Mote Marine Aquarium Sarasota?

Mote SEA is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 225 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota, FL 34243.

How much are Mote Marine Aquarium tickets?

Ticket prices follow Plan Ahead Pricing and change based on how far ahead you book and which day you visit, so there is no single fixed price. Booking at least 30 days ahead, especially on a weekday, typically costs less than a weekend walk up visit.

Is Mote SEA the same as the old Mote Marine Aquarium on City Island?

Mote SEA is the aquarium’s new University Town Center home, which opened on October 8, 2025 after 45 years of the public aquarium operating on City Island. Mote Marine Laboratory’s research facility remains a separate operation from the new aquarium building.

Is Mote Marine Aquarium Sarasota good for kids with sensory needs?

Yes. Mote SEA has been recognized as Autism Friendly by CARD USF and keeps a limited supply of sensory friendly backpacks with ear protection and fidget toys, available by asking Guest Services on arrival.

Is parking free at Mote SEA?

Yes, parking at Mote SEA is free, and the aquarium sits in the University Town Center area with restaurants and shops nearby.