Sea Life Florida at Legoland Florida Resort in Winter Haven has welcomed its first marine animals as it gears up for its grand opening on June 6. Notable arrivals include a reef shark from Germany, clownfish, cownose stingrays, and unicorn tangs. Curator Sarah McMahon highlights the aquarium’s transition from a construction site to a conservation space aimed at fostering connections between people and the ocean. The facility will feature over 25 interactive exhibits, including a stingray bay and underwater-themed galleries, and will be fully ADA accessible. Annual passholders will get early access on May 23.
The initial marine inhabitants have made their debut at Sea Life Florida located within the Legoland Florida Resort in Winter Haven, with the aquarium set to launch on June 6.
The resort shared photos of a reef shark imported from Germany, now settled in its primary oceanarium, known as Theme Park Under the Sea. New additions also feature clownfish, cownose stingrays, and unicorn tangs, as noted in a news release from Legoland Florida.
A blacktip reef shark is displayed in the main oceanarium at Sea Life Florida at Legoland Florida Resort. The aquarium is opening on June 6.
“This marks a transition from a construction site to a conservation site,” stated Sarah McMahon, curator at Sea Life Florida, in the release. “We are moving from building walls to fostering connections between people and the ocean. Each fish, ray, and shark that arrives provides an opportunity to spark curiosity and inspire care for our planet.”
Sea Life Florida will feature over 25 interactive exhibits, including a stingray bay, engaging rock pools, and 10 underwater-themed galleries. The aquarium is designed to be fully ADA accessible, and it aims to achieve designation as a Certified Autism Center, a resort-wide initiative, according to the release.
An aquarist is seen releasing fish into a tank at Sea Life Florida at Legoland Florida Resort. The aquarium will open on June 6.
Annual passholders will have exclusive early access starting May 23, prior to the official grand opening.
This article was originally published in The Ledger: Marine animals arrive as Sea Life Florida plans June 6 opening