Aquarium News
Plunk and Mettwurst Update
Plunk and Mettwurst are leaving our facility and heading back to Sea World! They will be heading back there to finish out the last few months of their rehabilitation and acclimation before they are re-released. Both Plunk and Mettwurst are still on track for their winter release date and we will continue to post updates Read More
Read MoreNew Exhibit—Shrimp Boat!
Come see our latest exhibit! Our shrimp boat touch tank features nature’s cleaning crew—an assortment of shrimps, mollies, as well as baby horseshoe crabs and sea stars. This easy-to-access interactive exhibit is fun for young and old alike! These creatures especially love to clean your hands off for you after you feed our tarpon and Read More
Read MoreNew Exhibit – Mangrove Terrapins!
Come check out the newest residents of Aquarium Encounters, the Mangrove Terrapins! This subspecies of the Diamondback Terrapin is found almost exclusively in the Florida Keys. Unlike their freshwater cousins, these animals inhabit salt and brackish water. Terrapins also typically spend more time on land than freshwater turtles so this exhibit has plenty of space Read More
Read MoreReef Renewal – Anchor Installation
Divers from Dynasty Marine, Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters, R3EACH and Reef Renewal USA in partnership with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently worked with Ken Nedimyer to install anchors for a brand new coral nursery. Nedimyer, founder of the Coral Restoration Foundation, is now the Director of Reef Renewal International working to Read More
Read MoreA Note from Florida Keys Aquarium Encounter on COVID-19
To our recent and future visitors of Aquarium Encounters. We are in constant contact with health officials and will continue to follow their updated guidance as provided. We value the cleanliness of our facility and have ramped up our efforts to keep our guests and employees as safe as possible. We have ample hand sanitizing Read More
Read MoreLearn About Our Lionfish!
Florida Fish and Wildlife is always looking to help educate the public on our local species of marine life. With their help, Aquarium Encounters has been able to add to our existing Lionfish exhibit. Our main goal was to bring awareness to their invasive nature and how FWC is trying to manage their ever growing Read More
Read MoreAquarium Encounters earns 2019 Certificate of Excellence
Aquarium Encounters thanks every single visitor that has stopped by our facility. We have received the 2019 certificate of excellence from Trip Advisor, thanks to all your great reviews! We love hearing what people love about our aquarium, and always look forward to feedback. Here are just a few of our favorite reviews to date! Read More
Read MoreAquarium Encounters turns 5 years old!!
Meet Diver Ryan
Ryan Bonhag is 29 years old and the senior dive instructor here at Aquarium Encounters. Ryan has been diving for 11 years, he is a PADI instructor and more recently a NAUI instructor as well. Originally from Olney, Maryland, Ryan started diving at the age of 18, in quarries and lakes. He enjoys introducing people Read More
Read MoreMay 2019 Aquarium Update
Aquarium Encounters has had a busy May already! We kicked off the month with quite a few events, starting with the Tom Thumb Bull and Cow captains meeting, two weddings, mermaids, and Mother’s day deals! Sprinkle a few school field trips in here and there and we’ve been having a good time! Congratulations to Franco Read More
Read MoreSpring at the aquarium
The birds are chirping, the sun is shining and the sharks are hungry! If you are traveling to the Florida Keys this season, Aquarium Encounters is a must do for the family. Hop into one of our tanks and hand feed sharks and stingrays, or enjoy the excitement of marine life from dry land. There Read More
Read MoreMeet the Biologist: Kee Bligh
Kee Bligh is Aquarium Encounter’s senior biologist. She has been a part of the aquarium team since December of 2014, shortly after the aquarium opened. Originally from New Britain, Connecticut; Kee is almost a freshwater Conch having lived here for 7 years. She attended Coastal Carolina University and has a degree in marine science with Read More
Read MoreMeet Ashley
Ashley Watson is 25 years old, and originally from Brattleboro Vermont. Her constant love for marine life has steered her carrier path in life, and guided her travels. Having graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a degree in marine science and minor in biology, Ashley has always known she has wanted to care for and Read More
Read MoreMeet our Biologist!
Haley Townsend has been a Marine Biologist at Aquarium Encounters since June 2018. She is the newest member to the animal care team. Haley is originally from Jacksonville North Carolina, and has lived in the keys since May 2018. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a degree in Biology. Haley Read More
Read MoreSummer Camp 2019
Interested in getting junior or open water dive certified? Our 3 day camp program is a great way to immerse yourself further in the magic of the ocean. Spend time here at the aquarium learning the necessary skills needed to become certified and wrap up the camp with two dives out on Sombrero Reef! Beginning Read More
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