Mote SEA houses more than 400 species, including sharks, sea turtles, otters and manatees. Among them is the endearing Lou, a manatee who lost his tail in a boat strike. Unable to survive in the wild, he uses his front flippers to propel himself through the water.

Founded in 1955 by pioneering scientist Eugenie Clark, Mote Marine Laboratory began as a one-room operation in Placida in Charlotte County. Later, its aquarium and labs spent 45 years on City Island before moving in 2025 to the new $130 million Mote Science Education Aquarium (SEA).

“People have nostalgia from coming to the aquarium when they were younger,” says Kevin Cooper, Mote’s vice president of strategic initiatives. “Then they take their kids and grandkids and engage with us across generations.”

Mote’s scientists conduct research around the world, offering residents “a window into the globally significant marine science that’s happening in their backyard,” he says.

See all of our Best of Sarasota 2026 winners here.