New Mote SEA facility will open in early October

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is scheduled to open its north Sarasota County Science Education Aquarium on Oct. 8, with a sneak preview on Oct. 6-7 for Mote members.

Admission prices listed on the Mote website include adult rates ($34 per person) and children’s rates ($26). According to a message from Mote, anyone interested in attending the grand opening must buy timed-entry tickets in advance. Likewise, members wishing to attend the earlier “SEA It First” event must book ahead of time. Slots are limited to the number of people enrolled as part of memberships.

“Mote SEA is much more than just an aquarium; it stands at the intersection of paradigm-changing research, science education, and community engagement,” said Michael P. Crosby, President & CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in a statement. “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.”

Mote's origins date back 70 years to 1955, when marine scientist Eugenie Clark founded the one-room lab that later earned the moniker "Mote Marine Laboratory" after benefactor William Mote. From the early days, Clark placed a premium on philanthropy and community partnerships.

Built adjacent to Nathan Benderson Park and University Town Center, Mote SEA represents a stark contrast in the organization’s public-facing presence in the community. The $132 million facility on 12 acres alongside Interstate 75 received partial funding from tourism tax revenue and private donations.

Inside, the building covers 146,000 square feet designed to showcase Mote’s science endeavors and also serve as an educational site for K-12 students in Sarasota, Manatee and surrounding counties.

In June, visitors and volunteers began saying goodbye the Mote’s venerable City Island aquarium, which closed to visitors on July 6. From there, animals were moved across the 12-mile route to their new home. In addition to the moving process, the wildlife had to undergo a quarantine after being introduced to new habitats. 

Much of Mote’s scientific work will continue on the bayfront campus, with public spaces reimagined.

In 2019, Sarasota County and Mote agreed on a path forward that included tax funding and the purchase of the county-owned acreage for $100. Construction began in 2020.