Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters

11710 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050, USA

Address:	11710 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050, USA
Phone:	+1 305-407-3262
Site:	floridakeysaquariumencounters.com
Rating:	4.6
Working:	9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 13

Tom Fabian

I dont often write reviews on-line, but this definitely deserves a giant shout out! Ill start out by saying I have been SCUBA diving for 20+ years mostly around the Pacific ocean and I have yet to experience anything as fun or exhilarating as this. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable, they make you feel very comfortable and relaxed. I was extremely excited to get into the tank. The guide told us all about the fish that were currently in the tank and how to feed them. I was so in the moment of feeding the fish that I forgot all about the shark side of the tank. We moved over to the glass and the guide handed us some fish to feed to the sharks. It was so amazing to see the sharks swim up to the fish and then snatch it from the feeding tube. Again, I was simply amazed. The entire experience was unreal and I cant wait to do it again. This is a MUST if youre visiting the Keys. Even if you dont want to dive, the entire park is simply beautiful. The touch pools are very inviting and the barge overlooking the inlet is really cool. We even saw some sharks, rays and some jelly fish in the inlet. I highly recommend this to anyone of any age, its a great time you wont regret.

Amanda wisiorek

The smallest aquarium I have ever been to but the best! They have only been open a year and only have maybe 8 exhibits but its so personal! You get to touch almost all the animals. And they have the options to interact with all of them. I did the Nurse-ry encounter because it was only 25 but it was great! They have where you can actually dive into the coral reef and feed the fish! Or the Sharks through the acrylic. Also, everyone there is very well educated on the species and very friendly! You can feed the Rays, the lagoon with several fish species or the the turtles by buying there food cups. Which are reasonably priced at three dollars a cup. Also one of the best things was it was outside. I saw the wildlife in the ocean like jellyfish and then a wild iguana and anole on land while I ate at there cafe. I spent four hours at this tiny place and just loved it!

Tim Delph

The entire facility is very open and inviting everywhere and staffed with helpful, friendly, and educated people. Bring swim suits and shorts because if you want to have the best experience for yourself or your kids, pay to actually swim with and feed the fish. You wont see such an expansive variety of species of you went in the ocean yourself and you can do it while feeding sharks and stingrays with your family in complete safety. My wife and I didnt want to get wet this trip, so we let our kids go for the swim. Because of their facilities, we could stay dry and watch the entire time as our kids were surrounded by all types of fish and stingrays. Our kids loved it and said it was their favorite part of visiting the Florida Keys.

Mickey Metz

Amazing place! Beautiful environment, many different varieties of fish. Theres rays, sharks, a touch tank, etc. You can do encounters like touching the sharks or sitting with rays, watch feedings, dig for shark teeth, and much more. There are highly intelligent and interactive staff to guide you and answer questions, and even a "find and seek" paper with a prize at the end! There is a cafe and gift shop for everything you need, with excellent food and jewellery; they even sell pet hermit crabs! I would highly recommend this place to everyone, even locals enjoy it, and its fun for people of all ages! There is always something new to see. Also, locals and veterans get 10% off.

Lisa Skinner

We had a wonderful time at Aquarium Encounters. The staff was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic when answering our questions. I did the stingray encounter with 3 teenage girls from our group. It was a new experience for me. I highly recommend it. The rays were so gentle. I loved feeding them by hand as they glided over for their favorite squid snack! I would highly recommend this for any family. The entry price was very reasonable. We were staying on Marathon Island for a week so one of the girls in our group enjoyed herself so much that she volunteered there for 2 days. Make sure to stop by!

Cameron Bucek

Great aquatic experience. The experience is very unique because all the encounters are native species to the area. The diving experience was incredible, we got to feed numerous species of fish as well as eels, and sharks. Additionally, the ability to touch and encounter sting rays and conchs in their habitat is really worth the cost. In closing, it is a very well organized operation that creates an enviorment to actually interact and experience marine encounters with the local habitat of the Florida Keys.

Frank Gonzalez

Great place for a family outing. Was strolling with my wife, enjoying the attractions, and was approached by a gentleman who proceeded to give us a personal tour of the entire facility. We got the impression he was the head honcho. Very knowledgeable and appreciated his personal attention. The entire place was clean and the had friendly staff. Really enjoyed our time there. Will recommend to anyone heading to the Keys. Great experience

Jen Robinson

No matter your comfort level, this is the place. A relaxed, beautiful aquarium and highly knowledgeable staff make this hands on experience a great choice for budding marine life enthusiasts. Its abundantly clear that this is not a road side attraction but rather a highly educational experience. Walk the grounds casually a just an observer or dive right in (literally)! Every member of our family enjoyed it at their own pace.

Leah Snider

I took my daughter there yesterday and she had a blast. The staff was so friendly and took a lot of time with her. They are knowledgeable and very hands on. The diver in the large tank interacted with my daughter and we got great pictures. The property was beautiful and so well maintained. We plan on coming back every time we come to the keys. Thank you to the staff for making it so fun for my daughter.

Monika Dostálova

Krásné naučné "akvárium" ,žádné turistické show!!žádné "týrání"zvířat!pohladit se zde dají Rejnoci-neuvěřitelný zážitek,uvidíte žraloky,mořské hvězdice a spousty dalších vodních zvířátek.

Ashley Dykes

This place was a great little adventure and very interactive! The staff is very knowledgeable and they have feedings and tours often throughout the day. You can even get in their large coral reef tank and hand feed sting rays and other fish and also feed sharks in the other tank next to it through a hole. Very neat experience and worth going to! Love how they have everything set up.

stacie kidwell

Great facility in the Middle Florida Keys. My 2 older grandkids, both who are certified to dive and had just spent a week diving on our reefs, signed up for the dive encounter. They absolutely loved it! Was one of the highlights of their 10 day Keys vacation. Younger granddaughter spent time in the nursery, and cant wait to come back this year to play with the Rays!

Lacey Elmange

Spent a day here with family. Amazing experience!!! My daughter got to do the snorkeling experience in the coral reef tank and feed the fish, sharks, Etc. The instructor was amazing, making it an experience of a lifetime! All of the exhibits and touch tanks had extremely knowledge staff. Everything was fascinating. Id pick this place over Sea World any day!!!