Latest news with #ClearwaterMarineAquarium
Time Out
06-08-2025
- Time Out
These are America's most sought-after beach destinations of 2025
If you could escape to any beach in the country, where would you go? A new report from PrivacyJournal reveals the beaches Americans are dreaming about visiting in 2025, with one Southern beach sweeping the competition. By analyzing search data across all 50 states, the report looked at over 100 popular beach destinations to see which were searched the most from out of state. The clear winner? Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The East Coast's all-purpose playground racked up top beach searches in 18 states. Northeasterners are especially drawn to the sandy destination, with people in Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont showing the strongest interest. It's no surprise that Myrtle Beach claims the top spot—with 60 miles of coast, a bustling boardwalk and endless family attractions, this beach is built for visitors. At number two is Clearwater Beach, Florida. Though Florida is often called the beach capital of the U.S., this is actually the only spot in the state to crack the top five. Even then, it garners only half the national interest Myrtle Beach does. Still, nine states (eight of them in the Midwest) are searching for Clearwater Beach's sugar-white sand, legendary sunsets and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, home of the real-life dolphin star from Dolphin Tale. In third place is Virginia Beach, Virginia, a destination that mixes beach town vibes with a dose of history. Eight states search for this Atlantic favorite, from neighboring Maryland to faraway California. The three-mile boardwalk, surfable waves and attractions like the Military Aviation Museum make it more than just sun and fun. Despite California's long coast, the only West Coast beach to make the top five is Cannon Beach, Oregon, coming in at number four. This beach is known for its dramatic sea stacks and moody Pacific charm. It's the most searched beach in six states, proof that sometimes wild and rugged beats warm and sunny. Rounding out the top five is Orange Beach, Alabama, a sleeper hit with its white sands and Southern hospitality, drawing search traffic from four states. Bottom line? While the U.S. has nearly 100,000 miles of coastline to explore, these five beaches clearly capture the nation's imagination. Whether it's the boardwalk buzz of Myrtle or the Pacific mist of Cannon, these sandy shores are calling! Most sought-after beaches, according to PrivacyJournal
USA Today
25-06-2025
- General
- USA Today
Gulf World Marine Park in crisis: Dolphins relocated amid scandal and bankruptcy fallout
All of the dolphins have now been relocated from Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach, Florida to other facilities. So what's happening now? Five dolphin deaths in less than a year, scathing inspection reports, public outcry, and footage released of green water with algae in the dolphin tanks led political leaders and government officials to work swiftly in getting the dolphins out of the park. A chaotic bankruptcy on behalf of the park's owners at The Dolphin Company, operated in Cancun, Mexico, led to delays with the relocation. Animal advocates and government officials partly won, with four of the dolphins being moved to a facility not owned by The Dolphin Company, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Florida. The remaining seven were moved to facilities owned by the company, with four going to Marineland Dolphin Adventure near St. Augustine and three going to Dolphin Connection in Duck Key. Marineland had three non-critical compliance issues relating to its facility in its April 2025 report, but another report from May doesn't show any noncompliant items. U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn previously told WJHG that his office was not happy when it learned that Marineland was owned by the same company, so they tried to pump the brakes, leading to further delays. Animal advocates were also unhappy with the move. Activist group TideBreakers released footage of Marineland, claiming that the facilities are inadequate and the conditions are poor. "When the 13 dolphins at Marineland aren't working, they're kept in filthy, cramped, concrete tanks with no protection from the Florida sun," the activists wrote in a Facebook post. "Swimming in circles all day, waiting for their turn to entertain tourists, just a few feet away from the ocean. Some in complete isolation." Theme park earnings: New report finds Disneyland, Disney World contribute $67B to US economy There's a petition floating around asking Congress to confiscate the company's dolphins. Organizers also are demanding oversight from regulatory agencies. The Dolphin Company is under a criminal investigation in the state of Florida amid its drawn-out bankruptcy proceedings in Delaware that reportedly included an armed takeover of its Cancun headquarters. New management acknowledged in a press release that Gulf World had been neglected over the years. It was revealed in a bankruptcy proceeding recording that the fifth dolphin to die, Samira, was showing signs of distress nearly a month prior to her death. Communication hurdles that could be tied to the bankruptcy were said to have led to her not getting care that could've been provided by Riveron, the restructuring company working on the bankruptcy case. The Key Biscayne Independent reported that the former CEO of The Dolphin Company, Eduardo Albor, was found to be in contempt of court on June 5. The judge said that Albor was interfering with the new management of the company. 'We lost a dolphin, and I don't want my delay to create that situation again,' the judge said at a June 2 hearing, according to the Independent. 'Samira, to the extent we could have saved her because of communication, it's on all of us." The reporting notes that the new management asked to hire a firm to split up the subsidiary companies running the parks and start the auction process. Debtors had apparently done an initial review and put the various parks and properties into "going concern" and "real estate" categories. Gulf World was no longer categorized as a "going concern," and they would find an alternative use for the property, according to the Independent. First Coast News reported that State Attorney Larry Basford had told them the dolphins are better off in Marineland, which is under new management because of the bankruptcy proceedings. Basford told them that part of the bankruptcy process is disposing of assets, and the dolphins were assets. Basford told the news station that The Dolphin Company didn't have money to maintain Gulf World or conduct needed repairs. A June 16 release from the company says that the relocated dolphins are eating, attentive, and acclimating well to their new homes. The park remains closed until further notice. As for what happens now, Rep. Dunn had previously said once the dolphins were taken care of, they would move on to help the other animals in the facility.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Clearwater Marine Aquarium's summer camps for kids and teens, registration open
The Brief Registration is open for the Clearwater Marine Aquarium's summer camps for kids and teens. The theme for the summer camps changes each week for each grade level. The camps run until Aug. 8. CLEARWATER, Fla. - Each week of summer, Clearwater Marine Aquarium hosts around 100 kids and teenagers for summer camps. "They are educational and immersive," Clearwater Marine Aquarium Director of Conservation Education Lindsay Roland said. The learning takes place in the classrooms, with camp themes like "Mini Marine Biologist", "All About Dolphins" and "Ecosystem Advocates". Much of the immersion comes from the surrounding waters, where campers go snorkeling and kayaking. What they're saying "I hope that they're able to look back on those experiences and just realize, wow, this is such an interesting opportunity," Roland said. "I hope that it was something that really just sparked interest and joy and gave them something fun to learn about and to do during the summer." The theme for the summer camps changes each week for each grade level. Campers must be five years old and a kindergarten graduate. Recent high school graduates are welcome but must be no older than 18. Camps are divided into a morning and an afternoon session. Some campers participate for the whole summer, while some only come for one week. Roland says around 1,000 campers participate each year. "A lot of us, especially who work here, we have some interaction, something we learned that really instilled our passion for marine life," Roland said. As campers ask questions or take part in a new activity, Roland cherishes their reactions. READ: Pinellas non-profit helping seniors worried about funding cuts "It just gives you a new perspective, and it's very invigorating," Roland said. "It's just, it's so unique to see it through their eyes." What they're saying Registration remains open for many of the remaining camps, which run until Aug. 8. You can find more information on their website. The Source Information for this story was provided by FOX 13's Barry Wong. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Axios
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Your last-minute guide to celebrating mom in Tampa Bay
If you're still looking for Mother's Day plans, we've got you. Here are a few last-minute ways to celebrate. 🖼️ Tampa Bay museums and aquariums are offering discounts for moms this weekend, including the Florida Aquarium, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, the Tampa Museum of Art and the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art. The Dalí Museum in St. Pete will also offer discounted admission on Sunday in honor of Salvador Dalí's birthday. 😻 Has Mom always wanted a pet? Bring her to SPCA Tampa Bay in Largo, which is offering half-price pet adoptions Friday through Sunday. They've got 20 cats, 40 dogs and 15 small animals available for adoption, per a press release. 🥂 Nothing says "Mother's Day" like brunch. Here are a couple of unique options: Brunch at TreeTop Kitchen: Get up close and personal with Busch Garden's animal ambassadors while enjoying a buffet of sweet and savory bites. 1pm Sunday. $69.99 for adults, $44.99 for children 5-9. Goat Yoga and Mimosas: This event has it all: baby goats, yoga, brunch specials, and bottomless mimosas, bloody marys and Shock Top tall boys. $55, includes goat yoga and bottomless drinks. 9am-2:30pm at The Blind Goat in Tampa. 💐 Why buy a bouquet when you can make one? Dwell Home Market on Saturday is hosting a floral-arranging workshop, while Corner Club and Oxford Exchange will have flower bars on hand to make the perfect bouquet on Friday and Sunday, respectively. Click the links for tickets to each event. 🥐 For the fashionista moms: Feel like a Parisian here in St. Pete with the " Passport to Paris" luxury fashion show, also featuring live music, art, snacks and champagne. $125. 11am-2pm Saturday in The Sundial plaza.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
OBX orca sighting uncommon, but not unexpected
KITTY HAWK, N.C. (WAVY) — Munching on a delicious tuna, an orca whale was seen making a visit to the Outer Banks, as a Florida-based aerial survey team with Clearwater Marine Aquarium confirmed the killer whale sighting March 13. It was seen between 30 and 60 miles off the coast of Kitty Hawk. That might seem like a hike, but it's closer to land than a typical orca sighting. Marina Doshkov, a mammal stranding coordinator with Jennette's Pier, said it is not common, but it is also not unexpected. 'Once in a blue moon thing, we do see them here, they're not complete strangers,' Doshkov said. 'It's really cool to see them and get another confirmed sighting.' Orcas are all over the world, especially prevalent in the Pacific Northwest. Doschkov said the last time they had a confirmed sighting in the Outer Banks was in 2008. The Clearwater surveyors are the real deal, frequently working with Jennette's Pier staff on these sightings. This is unlike what happened in 2024, when they debunked a killer whale sighting reported by an Outer Banks beach-goer. The picture that person used actually came from a roughly 20-year-old Powerade commercial. It is part of why they always work diligently to confirm these reports when they come through. 'We do have some really special IT people who can look at sources of photos for us and track photos,' Doshkov said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
