Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is proud to announce that the new Mote Science Education Aquarium (SEA) will officially open to the public on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. To be among the first to experience Mote SEA at an exclusive grand opening event, or to reserve tickets for general admission after opening, visit mote.org/tickets.
The 12-acre Mote SEA campus is located at Nathan Benderson Park, a nexus site for Sarasota, Manatee Counties and the entire region; Mote SEA will transform Mote’s ability to provide informal science education and enhanced levels of ocean literacy to much larger and more diverse populations from around the world. The 146,000-square-foot facility will enable individuals of all ages and backgrounds to engage with the ocean and experience a window into Mote’s globally-significant marine science research and conservation initiatives.
As its name suggests, science is the attraction at Mote SEA. The innovative facility features three state-of-the-art STEM Teaching Labs focused on Biomedical, Microbiology & Immunology; Marine & Coastal Ecology; and Ocean Engineering, AI Technology, Robotics & Sensor Development. These labs will provide hands-on experiential learning to more than 70,000 K–12 students annually from Sarasota and Manatee county schools (as well as those schools in nearby counties), including over 26,000 Title 1 students, completely free of charge. In addition, Mote SEA will include five STEM Workforce Training Labs offering professional experience, alongside Mote scientists, as part of an array of high school, undergraduate and graduate research experiences in: Aquaculture & Fisheries, Conservation, Coral Genetics & Restoration, Artificial Intelligence, and Veterinary Clinic & Diagnostic Research & Practice. The STEM Teaching and Workforce Training Labs include wall-to-wall glass windows, so guests can observe and enjoy scientists and students learning and conducting research in real time.
Founded in 1955 in a one-room trailer in Placida, Florida, by world-renowned ichthyologist Dr. Eugenie (“Genie”) Clark, Mote has become one of the most unique and impactful independent marine research and science education institutions in the world. With over 300 staff, Mote has now expanded to 9 campuses across Florida with 22 diverse Research Programs, 2 Technical Programs, 13 Centers of Excellence and 45 doctoral-level staff. Today, Mote scientists conduct research on every continent and throughout the entire ocean as part of its International Marine Science Diplomacy Initiative.
“Mote SEA is much more than just an aquarium; it stands at the intersection of paradigm-changing research, science education, and community engagement,” said Dr. Michael P. Crosby, President & CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. “We envision a future in which tens of millions of visitors will experience the transformative power of learning and discovery, changing the way they think about our oceans, conservation and sustainable use.”