Mote Marine Laboratory began in 1955 as a small shark research lab founded by pioneering scientist Eugenie Clark, growing over the decades into one of the most respected independent marine research institutions in the country. For 45 years, its public aquarium welcomed visitors to its City Island campus in Sarasota Bay, pairing hands-on exhibits with the real science happening in the labs next door.
In October 2025, Mote opened a new chapter: the Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA), a $146 million, 146,000-square-foot facility near Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota. Holding more than 1 million gallons of water and showcasing over 100 marine species, from sharks and manatees to penguins and a giant Pacific octopus, the new aquarium doubled the footprint of the original site while keeping Mote’s research and conservation mission front and center.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Sarasota, Florida
- Opened: 1980 (original); Mote SEA opened October 8, 2025
- Size: 146,000 sq ft, over 1 million gallons
- Species: Over 100 marine species
- Annual Visitors: Roughly 330,000+ historically; new site projects 70,000+ students annually via free programs
- Famous for: Longest-running study of a wild dolphin population
The Aquarium Experience
Mote SEA’s exhibits center on Gulf of Mexico ecosystems, including a large shark and ray habitat, a dedicated manatee habitat, penguins, river otters, sea turtles, jellyfish, seahorses, and a giant Pacific octopus. Unlike a typical theme-park aquarium, every exhibit ties back to research Mote scientists are actively conducting, from coral restoration to shark conservation, giving visitors a window into ongoing marine science rather than static displays.
From City Island to University Town Center
The original Mote Aquarium operated on City Island in Sarasota Bay from 1980 until it closed to the public in July 2025 to make way for the move. The new facility near University Town Center offers free STEM education access to area schoolchildren, with Mote projecting over 70,000 students served annually, including tens of thousands from Title I schools.
Explore more: More zoos and aquariums to explore.
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium FAQs
Is Mote Marine Laboratory still on City Island in Sarasota?
Mote’s research campus remains on City Island, but the public aquarium relocated. The original City Island aquarium closed to visitors in July 2025, and the new Mote Science Education Aquarium opened near University Town Center in October 2025.
How big is the new Mote Science Education Aquarium?
Mote SEA spans about 146,000 square feet and holds more than 1 million gallons of water, roughly double the size of the original City Island facility.
Who founded Mote Marine Laboratory?
Marine biologist Eugenie Clark founded the organization in 1955, initially as a small shark research lab that eventually grew into Mote Marine Laboratory.
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Photo: Will Pittenger / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.