I don’t just travel, I visit a destination. I love to learn all about the area and what makes it special and an ‘attractive’ to families. Clearwater Beach in Florida is known for it’s sugar-white sand and pristine waters, but there’s so much more.
What I thought I knew about the Clearwater Aquarium in Clearwater Beach was just amped up even more through my visit. You know when you see a movie on the big screen and it makes you feel good and restore your faith in mankind? Those feelings are often so hard to salvage in our day to day lives. We watch movies to be entertained and to watch a story evolve.
The story of the Clearwater Aquarium is so much bigger than the big screen. In fact, the story of the Clearwater Aquarium is just scratching the surface of its development. Lavishly live travel out loud and learn 4 interesting facts about the Clearwater Aquarium.
4 Interesting Facts About the Clearwater Aquarium
First things first, there are no other experiences at an aquarium like those that will unfold in front of you at the Clearwater Aquarium. I was a guest of the Clearwater Aquarium, as a member of TMS Family Travel Conference. Thoughts, opinions, and images are my own based on my personal experience.
Smiling is what I do when I am excited to learn and excited to experience something. You can see I am all smiles here!
1. Smiling For What I Know & What Clearwater Aquarium Provides For Many
I am smiling because I already know a lot about the aquarium.
Imagine a place that not only gives hope to animals that are sick and injured but also helps people everywhere become inspired with hope.
Winter the dolphin overcame circumstances that most thought impossible, and people globally are challenged in the same way.
A movie that shared what was happening in a local aquarium has inspired others to push on, overcome, sustain and talk about their stories.
The Clearwater Aquarium is a gamechanger not just for ocean wildlife but people around the world.
Meeting The BrainChild of Clearwater Aquarium 
This is David Yates, CEO of the Clearwater Aquarium, as passionate as every new wave the rolls onto the beach.
He is refreshing, aggressive, smart and really has a true care and concern for ocean wildlife.
When he spoke, it was impossible to deny his passion because his desire to help animals that need to be rehabilitated is overwhelmingly wonderful and worn on his cuff.
I love it because the person who is real is the person who grinds, making a BIG difference. (where’s my I heart David shirt, I know! )
Every Animal Has A Story
To put things into perspective I truly believe you should watch Dolphin Tale & Dolphin Tale 2.
You will learn that animals have stories too. It is not just the human race that has a life, a family, animals do as well.
Suddenly, what might not be a thought is now real.
Clearwater Aquarium is not just home to where a very humanizing story about a Dolphin took place it is the reason the story took place.
2. Using Social Media To Make A Difference
Our world functions around social media.
We are never without our phones and we all have different passions. Guess what?
Clearwater Aquarium opens their real-life stories of animals entering the Clearwater Aquarium for rehabilitation.
The stories are done through Facebook Live, and #CMAInspires hashtag.
In fact, this is such a smart move because donations flow in as a result and those with interests get to follow the story of rescue and rehabilitation even far away.
This is the turtle rehab center.
Did I mention that the theming for names changes monthly, you can see they were naming based on cereals here:)
Look at the sign very carefully?
You will note that the signage tells you when the turtle arrived, what is wrong with it, something cool about the animal and what is happening to help the animal.
This is the info that animal lovers around the world track from the Clearwater Aquarium Facebook Page.
3. Boating is Fun, But Boating Causes Harm
Does it surprise you to see this fact?
As a part of education and the power of knowledge, a very real reason that the Clearwater Aquarium flourishes in part is that of the human race.
When you get out on a boat and you move around the water, you are in the ocean’s wildlife territory.
Think about the animals in the water every time you boat, you don’t want to send them to rehab, let them live their lives!
Recognize this star from Dolphin Tale?
The sea animals continue to do what they normally do, swim, dive, etc, but we are in a different world.
As we enjoy the speedboats, we cut off turtle flippers with boat motors.
Whether we recognize what we have done or not, this is still harming to an animal.
4. Winter, Hope & Nicholas Really Live There
It’s not just a made-up thing for a movie, but rather a reality that Winter, Hope & Nicholas really do live there!
Nicholas got his name because he arrived on Christmas Eve.
None of these animals will ever be released.
Watch Dolphin Tale or Dolphin Tale 2 to understand better ( I am not going to soapbox here).
A Few Hours Will Change Your Perspective
Really whoever you are, no matter what you think, your mind will be changed, when you spend a few hours here. These animals are incredible, friendly, loveable and unfortunately, all had to be rescued. Some will be rehabilitated, some will die because their injuries or sickness is impossible to care for, and others will be released. From the moment you walk through the doors, until the moment you leave, you will feel inspired, empowered and take away a new appreciation.
Dolphin Tale was the red carpet to the other tales of animals that need rescued, rehabbed and released. Every animal has a story and many of their stories are written daily at the Clearwater Aquarium. Lavishly live travel out loud and make sure you stop at a destination that is not only Hollywood Famous but world renowned with people everywhere overcoming challenges and being inspired by what they see happening here. ~ DANA
