We’ve all been looking forward to reestablishing a sense of normalcy with the reopening of some of our favorite places, but proceeding with caution. Mote Marine was once part of our family’s Sunday routine. A stroll through the aquarium building, admiring the fish, touching starfish and other strange sea creatures, watching the sharks, and petting the stingray. Next, we would head down to the second building, marveling at the sea turtles, laughing at the otters, and awing over the size of the manatees. Upon leaving the aquarium, we usually found ourselves at the New Pass Bait Shop for some awesome fish n chips or burgers right on the water. Sometimes we were lucky enough to spot a dolphin or two, and once even a bull shark. Times have certainly changed and we can’t wait to resume our old Sunday routine. Mote is finally reopening Friday 06/5 to the public! We were invited to a behind the scenes tour to see what changes have been implemented amidst COVID-19.
Changes in place to keep guests and staff healthy:
- Tickets must be reserved online for specific time slots and ticketing process is now touch-free at the admissions window, ticket will be scanned from your phone
- All staff and guests must wear a mask during visit
- Entryway is now a partitioned wall with a one way flow
- Arrows and signs point guests through a one-way path
- Social distancing reminder signage throughout the aquarium reminding guests to maintain a healthy distance
- Hand sanitizer stations every 2-3ft
- All interactive exhibits are currently disabled in line with current CDC reccomendations
- Tables are dispersed throughout outdoor section with distance
- Dining room is closed but the diner will remain open with an order window and food brought to the table
- Gift shop is open with signs asking guests to keep 6ft distance
- Cash register is protected with a plexiglass barrier
- Savage Ancient Seas exhibit is still on display for a few more months
- Manatee exhibit is reopened
We hope to see everyone at Mote soon! Its a great place to take the kids and they can always learn something new! For more information on the new procedures and memberships, check out the links below:
Mote Aquarium reopening- visitor information
