Clearwater Marine Aquarium is welcoming sea lions for the first time with an all-new habitat, Pinniped Pier, opening July 2026! We are thrilled to welcome these incredible marine mammals to their new home. Pinniped Pier will not only expand the diversity of species in our care but also create more meaningful opportunities for guests to connect with marine life.
Animal Habitat Details
- Species in this Area
- California Sea Lions
Welcoming Sea Lions
Once open, Pinniped Pier will offer guests views of our new flippered residents, allowing you to observe their behaviors and learn about their daily lives.
The new sea lions will arrive just months after CMA welcomed three harbor seals in February. Their arrival represents an evolving form of marine animal rescue and managed care — providing homes for animals from other accredited facilities while continuing to educate the public about ocean conservation and marine mammal protection.
Our resident harbor seals will also be introduced into Pinniped Pier soon after the sea lions have acclimated in their new habitat.
Please Note:
- As our new sea lions arrive and settle into their environment, stanchions or temporary barriers may be in place to limit human interaction during their initial acclimation period.
- Because their care is our top priority, pinnipeds may not always be visible while interacting with our animal care team or spending time in resting areas.
Opening Events:
More information about opening dates and member previews will be available soon.
Celebrate the opening of Pinniped Pier with us during a special after-hours event on Saturday, July 11, at Clearwater Marine Aquarium!
Your admission ticket supports our efforts to protect these and other vital marine species.
Designing Pinniped Pier
To ensure the highest level of care for our sea lions and harbor seals, we’ve completely reimagined our Rescue Deck area. This transformation brings a world-class, open-air habitat that prioritizes animal wellness while giving guests a beautiful new space to explore and observe sea lions and seals.
We are deeply grateful to the Pinellas Board of County Commissioners, the Pinellas County Tourist Development Council (TDC), and Visit St. Pete-Clearwater for their support and dedication in making this a reality through a $6 million TDC grant.
The new waterfront habitat overlooks Clearwater Bay and Clearwater Beach, offering guests an immersive opportunity to observe and learn about both harbor seals and California sea lions in a dynamic coastal setting.
Sea Lion Conservation
The arrival of California sea lions to CMA is more than just a new exhibit; it brings a critical conservation story to the forefront. On the West Coast of the United States, these animals face significant and mounting challenges, many of which are directly tied to human activity.
Sea lions are often considered “canaries in the coal mine” for ocean health. As apex predators, they accumulate toxins from contaminated fish and are particularly vulnerable to environmental changes, making them important indicators of broader ecosystem health. Scientists monitor sea lion populations for signs of pollution exposure, harmful algal blooms, food supply disruptions and other human-caused impacts.
Through interactive educational programming and animal care experiences, guests visiting Pinniped Pier will learn about threats facing marine mammals, including marine debris entanglement, vessel strikes, habitat destruction, underwater noise pollution and climate-driven ocean changes.