Keys Critters! Lobsters and Seahorses Join the Aquarium!
I’m talking about Florida Spiny Lobsters, the yummy crustacean that brings down thousands of visitors to the Florida Keys every summer for Lobster season. Spiny Lobsters are amazing critters, and found frequently on menus in the Florida Keys. Interested in what a spiny lobster looks like up close and personal? Aquarium Encounters has just added Read More
Read MoreFlorida Keys Aquarium Encounters is Marathon Strong!
On September 10th 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys, devastating our string of islands. Aquarium Encounters was closed from September 9th until December 15th. In those three months we worked tirelessly to rebuild all that was damaged. Our staff removed debris off the aquarium’s property, repaired tanks that had been damaged, painted Read More
Read MoreThe Great Hammerhead Project – Be In The Know!
The great hammerhead shark is currently on the red list (endangered) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Overfishing, shark finning, and the loss of critical food resources are some suspected causes for their decline. Depriving future generations of such an iconic species would be tragic. Learn more at www.greathammerheadstudy.org Do you know about our Read More
Read MoreDoes Size Really Matter? Swim with Mobula rays.
Story by Brad Rose At Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters in Marathon, we are home to many unique animals; the Mobula ray is certainly no exception. Currently these gentle gliders can only be found at 7 facilities worldwide! The Mobula ray is a slightly smaller cousin of the giant Manta ray. These beautiful and majestic creatures Read More
Read MoreBridging the Gap: Hooking the Next Generation
By Chance Ruder, NAUI 52587, Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters Dive Team Immediately after they break the surface, my two young guests burst into excited chittering. “Did you see that eel come up? It was huge! Those lobsters look even bigger underwater! Dad, we have to get certified; that was amazing.” It was the kind of Read More
Read MoreExperience Aquarium Encounters…..
Aquarium Encounters is an interactive outdoor aquarium, where visitors can walk through and see a variety of wildlife from the fascinating and biologically diverse Florida Keys and Caribbean. All of our exhibits are under large Tiki huts where guests are protected from the sun and rain. Aquarium Encounters is situated in Marathon at MM 53.1 Read More
Read MoreInvasion of the Lionfish!
by Victoria Garcia Many might see a lionfish with its long flowing fins and red and white striped coloration as a harmless fish but here in the Florida Keys we view this unique creature differently. The lionfish (Pterois volitans) is an invasive species to the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean, originally found in the Read More
Read MoreGet to know local artist Jason Robinson
Jason Robinson, was born in born in Montpelier, Vermont. He attended Union32 high school and enjoyed playing basketball. He is married with two girls, Sara (7) and Shaina (5). Jason always first realized his love of art during his high school Art classes, which were very educational and inspiring. He came to Key West in April Read More
Read MoreA Day in the Life of an Aquarium Intern
My name is Jewlee and I am an intern at Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters. My day starts bright and early at 7:45AM. First things first, I do a quick water quality test. If it’s Wednesday then I get here earlier to do the full water quality test on all the tanks and the lagoon. These Read More
Read MoreAre you a Tortoise, Eagle Ray, Barracuda or Mobula Ray?
Sign up now for the 2016 Summer Camp program and find out! There are still open spots for all age groups in this year’s program. Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters Summer Day Camp offers a selection of activities that can’t be found in any other single location. Our goal is to provide every camper with an Read More
Read MoreUp-Close and Personal with Sharks
Very few moments in life can approximate a close quarter encounter with the best the marine world has to offer. That is what defines Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters. By recreating astounding models of the sea in a controlled environment, we have demonstrated time after time that we are never afraid to pull off the impossible. Read More
Read MoreCorporate Sponsorships Available
At Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters, we love introducing our friendly aquarium inhabitants to guests from all walks of life.
Read MorePlan your End of Year School Field Trip at the Aquarium!
Looking for an exciting end of year adventure for your Child’s School Field Trip? At Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters, we love welcoming school groups at our interactive aquarium in the heart of the Florida Keys.
Read MoreClose Encounters with Ben Daughtry
The Journey to create Aquarium Encounters As a local Marathon business, we are proud of our homegrown roots. Aquarium Encounters began as a dream in our founder, Ben Daughtry’s mind, almost 20 years ago. After an exciting trip to an interactive aquarium in Curaçao in 1996, Ben imagined how great it would be to have a Read More
Read MoreSpend the Holidays with Aquarium Encounters!
Looking for a unique family activity this holiday season? Need somewhere to send your family while you do the holiday shopping? Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters is open from 9am-5pm, 365 days a year including Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas (eve and day!), and New Years Eve/Day! Our diverse group of marine inhabitants would love to celebrate the Read More
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