Living in the Tampa Bay section of Florida has afforded myself and others several occasions to enjoy the natural sea life here.
My family would drive us out to Clearwater Beach on pleasant weekend days while our elementary school would take us on field trips to find sea sponges in Tarpon Springs or to the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota.
But I believe it’s the aquariums in west Florida that I care about the most. Down in Sarasota there is the famous Mote Marine Aquarium which is famous for its large dolphin facility. While I was a student at New College, I had friends in the marine biology program that were able to work at the aquarium while they were completing their undergraduate education. I enjoyed visiting the aquarium in Sarasota, even if most of the facility is outside in addition to not temperature controlled. The most exciting aquarium trip for myself and others was visiting the Florida Aquarium in Tampa for the first time after moving to the section following school. The aquarium is on the waterfront where the Ybor Channel spills into the Ybor Turning Basin. One of the best parts about the Florida Aquarium is the strong indoor during the warm Summer season when temperatures get above 100 degrees some days. You can walk around in addition to marvel at all of the gorgeous marine life in the panoramic glass tanks. There are sea turtles, sting rays, manatees, sharks, in addition to so much more. If you need a locale to visit while staying in the Tampa Bay area, the Florida Aquarium is a charming destination.