How to see new sharks at Sarasota’s popular Mote SEA aquarium

See the new sharks on display at Sarasota’s popular Mote SEA aquarium near UTC Mall.

Since opening more than three months ago, the Mote Science Education Aquarium has continued to be one of the hottest tickets in town.

It has sold out nearly every weekend and many weekdays.

Located at Nathan Benderson Park near the popular University Town Center shopping and dining district — along the Sarasota-Manatee county line and highly visible to travelers on Interstate 75 — the sprawling campus will welcome guests eager to explore its 146,000 square feet of aquatic wonders.

Those aquatic wonders are changing too.

Most recently, the aquarium welcomed two sand tiger sharks in the 400,000-gallon Gulf habitat tank. An aquarium spokeswoman said via email that additional species should call Mote SEA home before the end of the year.

How do I get tickets?

The aquarium is open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and is located at 225 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota.

There are 13 admission times to pick from starting at 9:30 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m.

The best way to guarantee admission is to buy or reserve tickets online at mote.org.

Tickets can be reserved up to three months in advance, while it’s possible to receive a discount by reserving at least 30 days in advance.

Pro tip: If tickets show up unavailable online the aquarium is fully booked and walk-up guests cannot be accommodated.

Mote officials established the admission times at 30-minute intervals to make sure visitors can enjoy their visit to the three-story aquarium.

How much does it cost to visit Mote SEA?

Adult admission can range from $32 to $37, depending on the day of the week and whether they are purchased early or the day of the visit.

Youth admission can range from $24 to $29, depending on the day of the week and whether they are purchased early or the day of the visit.

Children aged 2 and younger are free.

How do I get to Mote SEA?

From Interstate 75, exit at University Parkway and then turn south on North Cattlemen Road and follow the signs to the east side of the University Town Center Mall and the Mote SEA parking area.

From Fruitville Road, it may be just as easy to take the scenic route north on North Cattlemen Road and follow the signs to the parking area.

Where can I park?

Most of the parking spaces are on the west side of a scenic pond and can be a healthy walk. But it’s also possible to take advantage of a drop-off loop so adults and accompanying children with strollers, and seniors can be dropped off at the aquarium. Some patrons have parked in the east lot of UTC, which may be closer — but there is no formal agreement to allow parking there.

How long does it take to see all of the aquarium?

Sure, Mote SEA can be speed walked in an hour-and-a-half or so but it’s probably best to block off two or three hours, likely three hours with small children who may want to spend extra time with the manatees, river otters, Humboldt Penguins, the Giant Pacific Octopus — or spend extra time in the touch-tank areas with the rays, horseshoe crab and sea urchins.

What’s the best way to view Mote SEA?

The aquarium is designed to be experienced from the top down. An escalator takes visitors to the third floor, home of Stella and Fynn, the river otters; Lou and Buffett, the manatees.

The second floor includes Indo-Pacific habitat tanks designed to showcase an environment similar to the Great Barrier Reef, the giant octopus and Humboldt Penguins, and the top of the 20-foot tall, 400,000-gallon Gulf habitat tank.

The most spectacular view of the Gulf habitat is from the north side, from the ground floor, where the glass arches over spectators, who can look up and see sharks and other Gulf fish swimming above their heads.

Earle Kimel primarily covers south Sarasota County as well as land development and environmental issues for the Herald-Tribune. Follow him on Facebook, and X. He can be reached by email at [email protected]. Support local journalism by subscribing.