December Newsletter 2025
Giving Tuesday
This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to support REACH, a nonprofit dedicated to the Research, Rescue, and Rehabilitation of threatened marine species, as well as Education and Awareness for communities about the fragile marine habitats that make up the Florida Keys. As the only manatee rehabilitation program in the Keys, we work closely with multiple agencies to protect and care for this vulnerable species. Your donation will directly support the care and feeding of our two manatees and help us continue our vital education, research, and rehabilitation efforts that safeguard the future of our oceans.
Happy Holidays
The team here at Aquarium Encounters wishes you a merry Christmas! We will be open for normal business hours on Christmas Eve, Christmas day, and New Years Eve. We can’t wait to celebrate these joyful holidays you.
Put a shark under the tree
This year make Christmas memorable. Purchase an encounter from Aquarium Encounters and give the gift of a lasting and one in a lifetime experience for your loved ones! With four interactive encounters, we have something perfect for everyone in the family. Snorkel or dive into our Coral Reef encounter where you get to hand feed our tropical reef fish, cownose stingrays, and our sharks! We also offer our Stingray Cove encounter where guests can get waist deep with our adult cownose and southern stingrays. Looking to stay dry? No worries! Our Big Shark Bay encounter allows guests to feed and touch our adult nurse sharks all while staying dry. Are stingrays more your pace? Our Nursery encounter allows guests to stay dry and feed and interact with our juvenile stingrays! Call or book online today to reserve a magical and memorable Christmas gift for your loved ones!
Mermaids
Splash into fun with mermaids at Aquarium Encounters! They will be here on December 6th and 7th. Their swim shows will start at 11 am and 2 pm. Afterward, you can have the opportunity to meet and interact with them! Looking to interact even more with our mermaid friends? We offer a mermaid snorkel in our coral reef tank. For $115, you can hand-feed our stingrays and fish as well as feed our sharks through the glass wall. Don’t miss out on this magical experience. Call ahead to reserve your spot to swim with mermaids!
Night with Santa and Mrs. Claus
Looking for some holiday fun for you and your family. Join us at Aquarium Encounters for a night with Santa and Mrs. Claus. We will have holiday arts and crafts, drinks and appetizers at the café, and holiday fun! Swim on by to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus as well as some other Christmas characters.
Shop local
Looking for the perfect gift for the ocean lover in your life? Stop by our gift shop and pick up the perfect gift. From sweaters, t-shirts, sun shirts, toys, puzzles, hats, snorkel gear, home decorations, and so much more! Let us help to make sure that your holidays are a hit!
Download our new app
Looking for a new way to connect with the Aquarium Encounters? We are excited to share our newest project with you! Download our new free app to enjoy live webcams, webinars, animal quizzes, live feeder cameras, and more! You can now immerse yourself in the wonders of the ocean from anywhere in the world! To download our app, head to your app store and search “Aquarium Encounters”!