Marine Mammal Mini-Fest
About the Event
Dive into the wonders of marine mammals with a fun-filled day celebrating Florida's gentle giants and ocean friends! We’re thrilled to host FWC’s Manatee Rescue Truck, where visitors can meet real marine mammal experts and explore interactive activities and games centered around our beloved manatees and more. Here’s a preview of the exciting experiences we’ve planned:
All events are included with paid admission to the Coastal Center (excluding Kona Ice)
Scheduled Activities
Science Saturday Extended Hours
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Location: Exploration Lab
Dive into science with interactive stations on manatee puppets and a unique baleen activity to explore how whales eat.
Bubble Net Feeding Activity
12:00 PM – 12:15 PM
Location: Grass Field
Participate in a bubble-net feeding activity and learn how whales work together to catch their prey.
Migration Madness Yard Game
12:45 PM – 1:00 PM
Location: Grass Field
Experience the challenges marine mammals face during their seasonal migration with this engaging outdoor game.
All-Day Activities
Fluke Memorization Challenge
Location: Exploration Lab
Become a marine mammal scientist for the day and test your memory to identify reoccurring marine mammals!
Mermaids and Manatees Game
Location: Exploration Lab
Explore the mysterious tales of marine creatures and create your own stories to explain these magical animals.
Photo Booth Spots
Locations: Manatee Sculpture & Ocean Connections Exhibit Hall
Capture the day with fun photo ops at our Manatee sculpture and in the exhibit hall!
Run the Length of a Blue Whale
Location: Along the Metal Fence by Gamefish Lagoon
Discover just how big the largest animal on Earth really is by running the length of a blue whale.
Marine Mammal Matching Game
Location: Exploration Lab
Test your knowledge and match each marine mammal with their description.
FWC Manatee Rescue Truck*
Location: Exploration Lab
See the FWC’s Manatee Rescue Truck up close! Meet marine biologists and complete a “work up” on a prop manatee.
Kona Ice Truck
Location: Grass Field
Cool off with a tasty treat from Kona Ice! Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate our marine friends and learn about the incredible challenges and journeys they face each year.
We hope to see you there for a day of learning, laughter, and marine mammal appreciation!
*Please Note: If there is a marine mammal emergency, FWC may not be available to join us.
