Water-Activities & Mertailor's Mermaid Aquarium Encounter

Engage with our resident Cownose Rays within our captivating Mermaid Tank!

Experience the extraordinary at Mertailor’s Mermaid Aquarium Encounter, where you'll dive into the midst of the action alongside various stingray species native to Florida's waters. Form a special connection with these graceful creatures for an unparalleled up-close encounter.

Our Stingray Encounter at Mertailor’s Mermaid Aquarium offers a safe and enlightening opportunity to enter a shallow section of our Mermaid Tank, home to diverse stingray species. Guided by our expert aquarists, you'll gain fascinating insights into these creatures as they glide nearby, easily accessible for you and your family. Please note, for visitor safety, all rays have trimmed barbs.

Required Forms MUST be completed before your inwater activities:

Click This Link To Download Waivers

Not Required for Stingray Encounter: Diver Medical Form - 10346

Participants should be comfortable in the water.

Your Stingray Encounter Includes:

• Exclusive behind the scenes access and journey into our Mermaid Tank.

• 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.

Advanced Reservations Required. Walk-in Not Available

Pricing:

Child/Adult: $65.00 per participant Ages 7+ Must Be Comfortable In Water! Your experience will last approximately 30 - 40 minutes.

Includes Aquarium Admission of Participant Prices Do Not Include Sales Tax or Booking Fees

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.