Closed
Due to inclement weather, the National Aquarium will be closed on Sunday, January 25, 2026 and Monday, January 26, 2026.
Site Selection Status: Still Standing Tall
There's a lot for Aquarium staff to consider as they visit potential sites for our future dolphin sanctuary.
- Animals
To date, the Aquarium has visited more than 20 sites in Florida and the Caribbean, searching for the future home of its dolphin sanctuary. Members of Aquarium leadership and the marine mammal team continue to make trips to prospective sites, including areas of interest in the Florida Keys.
To evaluate these potential sites fully, we must consider the following:
- The environmental appropriateness of a site (natural stimuli, exemplary water quality, a fitting climate, etc.)
- Community interest in the sanctuary
- Potential for high levels of environmental protection and ability to achieve proper permitting
- Workforce-related considerations (housing, livability, family and health care, etc.)