Gulf Specimen Aquarium

Bree Davis

2024-05

A lovely and plentiful aquarium with helpful and amazing staff, volunteers and people! I had a fun time learning about all of the aquatic life here. The ability to have touch tanks makes it 100x better and more personal when interacting with each specimen. The gift shop is also a great place to get a souvenir when visiting from out of state!!

William Lauver

2024-05

Me and my girlfriend had a great experience here the worker there wasn’t able to catch her name was working by herself that day was amazing and very nice. Definitely recommend this place if you wanna do something different. Don’t forget to go see the blind loggerhead in the back she’s very social.

Victoria Manley

2024-02

Had an awesome time today here at Gulf Specimen Lab! Was shocked by how much there was to look at here, and my expectations were blown away. If you’re local to the surrounding areas, I recommend getting a members pass because they hold events here, and different activities for the Family to enjoy! Me and my grandmother had such a fun time learning about all the different little critters that live right next-door to us in our lovely ocean❤️ along with all the fun activities, we learned that this is a rehabilitation center. Most of these animals are unable to return to the wild due to health problems, and this staff does an amazing job at making sure All their needs are met! I love the “kill two birds with one stone” idea, Rehabilitating these lovely animals while also teaching the public about ocean life!!! If you Happen to be in the area, it is well worth the drive to check this place out!!!!

Cory Green

2024-03

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Amanda Amundson

2024-03

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Katherine Lewis

2024-01

What an awesome aquarium!! In Panacea from Tallahassee, the $15 admission was more than worth it to see all the incredible exhibits here at Gulf Specimen. Everything from a huge amount of touch tanks with starfish and horseshoe crabs to nursing sharks and a sea turtle on display. A great way to spend an hour or so, especially if you may have kids in tow. Would definitely recommend!!

Danika Ciullo

2024-01

Enclosures are way too small for the sharks and big rays. One ray was causing the other to bleed during the feeding as it was frenzied. Many tanks were dirty and had no habitat to them, just concrete.If you don't have the funds or staff to do something properly, relocate the animals. Research and education should not come at the expense of animal care and treatment.The other tanks for smaller fish and animals were spaced well. The ray feeding attendant was great at her speech and friendly, as were other staff. Good gift shop and good information around the facility about the importance of preservation.

Hector Casanova

2024-01

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Diane Merritt

2023-11

I stumbled on this place by accident and so glad I did!It is within walking distance of the RV park we are staying in. It is non profit, so you will not see all the high tech here. However, it has many pools for viewing different species of sealife. They also have several pool allowing you to handle different species. I discovered many of their sea animals are sent to zoos, wildlife parks and universities for aquatic studies.This is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon and learn about sealife in the Gulf.

A Baker

2023-09

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Nancy Lee

2024-04

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Victoria Coste

2024-05

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Richard Wiles

2024-02

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Allison Combs

2023-08

Very cool! Love it and will be back for sure!!! Thank you for doing what you do to help the animals in your area! Thank you for an amazing, fun experience.We took our (old teens) and ourselves the first day so we could know what to look out for! We came and learned more than I had planned.

Grace

2023-09

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E Brown

2024-04

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Laura Tate

2023-07

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Joyce Finaldi

2024-04

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Chris Newcomb

2024-05

Awesome aquarium. Not your average commercialized aquarium. Very reasonably priced. It's our 4 time being here,the kids love the hands-on sections.

Star Archer

2023-05

We went here for my daughter’s field trip and we had so much fun. We’re definitely gonna come back. They had all kinds of cool animals and sharks in stingrays fish and hermit crabs, and starfish they had awesome creatures and tanks that little ones are able to have a hands on experience

Laura Putnam

2024-03

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Tim Johnson

2024-03

I've seen the signs for this place on the highway and always wanted to stop. I happened to have my family with me, so the other day, we finally made it. There was more here than I was expecting. A lot of neat tanks are full of sea creatures. They have tanks where you can touch some of the sea life. Totally worth it and a great way to spend an afternoon.

Mark Plowman

2024-03

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Alec Holt

2024-04

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Lisa Mann

2024-03

My husband I are staying on St. George Island for the winter and decided to visit here for a day. It is a great place to visit if you have children; lots to see and touch. We enjoyed our time there but it is really geared towards kids. We had hoped to eat at one of the lovely restaurants in the area afterwards but they are all closed on Mondays.

Adrianna Martinez

2020-05

This was by far the coolest aquarium we have been to. It was very small and very natural but an amazing experience. Great for children. It was more of a learning experience for the kids which was awesome. There were lots of touch tanks which were very fun for the kids and also very cool for the adults in our group too. I highly recommend. You can tell the staff truly care about the animals!

Amy Brown

2023-05

Really fun place for kids! Lot of marine animals to see and learn about. The touch tanks are a great hand-on learning activity for all ages.

Danielle

2024-04

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Gabrielle Cannon

2022-05

This place was pretty amazing!!Nobody hovering over you, you get to go at your own pace.The animals are all gorgeous and intriguing.The only reason it got 4 stars is because the place needs a serious update!Half the buttons didn't work to make the sounds.. they need donations.. like badly!It's such a cool place and I want it to stay intimate like that, especially for the price.. but they do need ae renovation! And I 100% believe they're worth donating to! Because they TRULY are an awesome place!!

Crystal Jarvis

2022-05

Took my daughter for a little day trip to Panacea - we stopped by here and LOVED it. A lot to see and the touch tanks were cool. The hanging information posters were neat to read. Staff was super nice.