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.
Pinniped Pier will be opening to all guests on Friday, July 3 at 10.a.m. CMA Members get an exclusive first look on Thursday, July 2 at 3:30 p.m and Friday, July 3 at 9 a.m.
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 are arriving 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.
Updates
- 7.1.26
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We are ready to roar! 📣 Pinniped Pier is opening to all guests this Friday, July 3rd at 10am! For the first time, sea lions will be part of the resident animal family at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. 🦭
CMA Members will get an exclusive first look starting Thursday, July 2 at 3:30pm and 9am on Friday. CMA is open 9am-5pm throughout July and you can enjoy extended hours from 9am-6pm on July 3-5 this holiday weekend!
Plan your visit and be among the first to experience this exciting new habitat with sea lions at CMA this summer! ☀️🌊
- 6.25.26
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Pinniped Pier is almost open! The new resident sea lions, Wahoo and Tuna, are settling in, and we can’t wait to share more about this exciting new habitat and our flippered friends. 💦
Stay tuned for more updates, and reserve your tickets for Summer Sips & Sea Lions on July 11th to be among the first to explore the new Pinniped Pier habitat and learn all about sea lions during an exclusive after-hours evening at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- 6.23.26
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News Splash: The sea lions are here! 🌊
Today, Clearwater Marine Aquarium welcomed Tuna and Wahoo, two female California sea lions, to their new home at Pinniped Pier!
Their arrival marks an exciting milestone as we prepare to open our newest habitat this July. These charismatic marine mammals will help us share important conservation stories and inspire guests to take action for ocean health.
From marine debris and pollution to harmful algal blooms and changing ocean conditions, sea lions face many challenges in the wild. Through Pinniped Pier, guests will have the opportunity to learn more about these incredible animals and the conservation issues affecting marine life around the world.
We can’t wait for you to meet the new sea lions and explore Pinniped Pier this summer!
🦭 Stay tuned for more updates as they settle into their new home
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.