Ever Wanted a Stingray to Lay in Your Lap? Engage with our resident Cownose Rays within our captivating Mermaid Tank!
Discover the exceptional at Mertailor’s Mermaid Aquarium Encounter, where you'll immerse yourself in the heart of the action with a range of stingray species native to Florida's waters. Forge a close connection with these adept natural aerialists for an unmatched up-close experience. At Mertailor’s Mermaid Aquarium Encounter, our Stingray Encounter offers a safe and educational opportunity to enter a shallow area of water located in our Mermaid Tank, which is home to a variety of stingray species. Our professional aquarists will provide informative guidance. During this experience, you will learn about these fascinating creatures while the gentle rays swim nearby, within easy reach for you and your family. It's important to note that for visitor safety, all rays have trimmed barbs.
Your Stingray Encounter Includes:
• Exclusive behind the scenes access and journey into our Mermaid Tank.
• 30-minutes of Seated and or wading tank time on the shallow platform in our Mermaid Tank with guidance from our aquarist staff.
• An educational session with our aquarist staff about the resident stingrays that you will be interacting with.
• A once in a lifetime opportunity to interact with and get splashed by multiple stingrays!
• Showering facilities are available to rinse off before and after your encounter.
Price: $95.00 per participant 7+ years old - Includes Aquarium Admission of Participant
A paid adult observer is required for all participants under the age of 18.
Participant Requirements
Age Requirements
• Participants must be a minimum of 7 years old and feel at ease in and around water. A parent or legal guardian must be present on our dry deck if participant is between 7-12 years old. If a participant is under 18 years old, a parent or legal guardian must be present. Additionally, for all participants under 18 years old, a paid adult observer is required.
Safety Requirements
• Participant must be in good physical health and comfortable in and around the water.
• Participants engaging in any of our in-water programs should have the physical capability to swim unassisted (float), navigate stairs, ladders, and slopes at the entry and exit points. Swimmers needing assistance with dressing must arrange for their own support.
• Our swim vests are suitable for guests with a waist measurement of 60 inches or less, and a weight of up to 400lbs. Please note that guests are not permitted to bring personal gear that surpasses these size limits.
What to Bring
• All necessary equipment, including goggles, floatation devices, and swim vests are provided. To prevent tank contamination, guests MAY NOT bring their own equipment.
• Participants should bring their own swimsuit, towel, and dry clothes.
• Participants must shower beforehand to remove lotions, oils, and suntan products. This helps maintain a clean, safe, and enjoyable environment for all participants and our marine habitats. You will be required to shower before and after your in-water program.
• Wet suits ARE NOT allowed in the tank. All guests must wear shorts or swim trunks. Women may wear bathing suit tops but a swim short must be worn during your swim.
• Jewelry of any kind IS NOT permitted in the tank.
• Underwater recording or electronic devices ARE NOT allowed during this experience, but these devices may be allowed in the gallery viewing area during your tank time.
Arrival Time
You must be present and checked in Mertailor’s Mermaid Aquarium Encounter 15 minutes prior to your program's start time. Waivers will be required to be filled out prior to your encounter.
Latecomers will be unable to participate in the program. Prompt arrival is encouraged.
Given the animal care requirements, Mertailor's Mermaid Aquarium Encounter retains the right to adjust, cancel, or reschedule programs without prior notification. Every effort will be made to accommodate guests for rescheduling purposes.
Cancellation and Change Policy
The program fee is not eligible for refunds. However, you can change the date of your visit without any additional charge if the change is requested at least 14 days before your originally scheduled visit.
If you change your dates within 14 days of your original visit, a fee of $50 per booking will be applied. To modify your reservation, please get in touch with Mertailor's Mermaid Aquarium Encounter at (352) 513-3278.
Cancellations and no-shows will not be refunded or rescheduled.