 Since 1955, Miami’s Seaquarium has attracted locals and tourists alike. Once it was a world class installation, far and away the most advanced of its time. Few were the package tours to Miami from abroad that did not include a visit to this venerable institution.
But soon it was to be eclipsed by the super marine parks of Sea World and the rest of the Orlando area attractions. Now it mostly attracts a local market, albeit a market that has grown enormously since 1955.
Having visited Seaquarium sporadically since 1965, it doesn’t seem to have changed all that much. In 1965 when Orlando was just beginning to chip away at it’s income base, it looked tired and in need of a slap of paint. It still looks the same way. The same old whale (there were two in 1965), almost the same dolphin families. There is actually one 36-year old performer, though you would never know, as dolphins don’t seem to age like we do. Have you ever seen a wrinkled dolphin?
It isn’t a cheap day out. A hefty US$ 36.00 admission for adults and US$ 27.00 (plus tax) for children 9 and under (though that’s half of what you pay for Sea World). The cost is exacerbated by an annoying US$ 8.00 parking fee and US$ 4 Pepsis. Look on the web site for a US$ 2.00 to US$ 4.00 discount coupon per person. Being very careful, my grandson and I spent almost US$ 100.00 just on admission, parking, one drink, one hot dog and one chicken sandwich.
That being said, you may ask is it worth it? I would say yes. I saw no long faces amongst the crowds. Children and adults all seemed to be having a good time. There is a remarkable amount to see in a relatively small area. It’s not as hard on the feet as Orlando attractions, and there are virtually no lines. That alone is worth the outing.
 My grandson refused to sit in the “splash area” at the whale show. He told me his Mum would not be pleased if he came home soaking wet! We then proceeded to get drenched at the upper-deck dolphin show. Until he dried off after about ten minutes, he was seriously thinking of not going home at all!
 As a young lad, he was fascinated to see sharks leap into the air and tear a dangling fish to pieces. My day was made when a daring great white heron stole a chicken leg from a crocodile, and swallowed it whole (the chicken leg, not the crocodile!). You could see the leg descending its throat. Awesome!
It took us about four hours to see every show and visit every attraction, though if you are a little less organized, it will take longer. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
The food offered at the attraction is somewhat basic. It will keep you alive, but not much else. At least they did not have grilled dolphin on the menu, an item that always distresses the uninitiated.
All in all, it makes a great day out with the kids and remember to keep off those US$ 4 Pepsis!
Miami by Martin
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