ENCOUNTER PROGRAMS AT MIAMI SEAQUARIUM BRING GUESTS UP CLOSE TO SEA RESIDENTS

MIAMI – Feels like walking on the moon, only you are submerged in a surreal underwater paradise where colorful tropical fish, large groupers, cobia, loggerhead sea turtles and moray eels abound.  Unveiled at Miami Seaquarium in the fall 2011, the Sea Trek Reef Encounter is an underwater helmet diving experience that allows guests to dive 15 feet below the surface of the water in the 300,000 gallon reef aquarium and be eye to eye with marine life.  Sea Trekking, developed by Sub Sea Systems, Inc. can be experienced by non-divers, ages 8 and above – no certification or swimming skills are necessary. 

The Sea Trek Helmet Diving System is controlled by a compressor system that takes in air, compresses it, sends it through a series of filtration components and on to a control console and manifold to regulate the air flow to participants.  Unlike deep sea diving, the participant's entire head stays dry throughout the entire experience. 

Dolphin Harbor features a 12,000 square foot, 700,000 gallon dolphin pool surrounded by an 8,000 square foot facility including a reception area, education seminar room, changing facilities and rest rooms and is home to ten Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins.  At Dolphin Harbor guests who are at least 52 inches tall may participate in the Dolphin Odyssey program, a two-hour experience, which includes feeding, touching and learning about these magnificent animals plus enjoying “rides” with the dolphins across the pool.  

Participants who are less than 52 inches, or those who do not want to participate in the swim program may wade out into the pool and meet the dolphins in the Dolphin Encounter program.  The two-hour program will feature an educational seminar and the chance to feed and touch a dolphin as well as learn about dolphin training techniques.

Miami Seaquarium, South Florida's most popular tourist attraction, is a family-oriented marine-life park open to the public 365 days a year. The park provides visitors with a greater understanding and appreciation for marine life through shows, presentations and marine-life exhibits. General admission to Miami Seaquarium is $41.95 and $31.95 for children (ages 3-9). More information on Miami Seaquarium is available at www.miamiseaquarium.com.  Like Miami Seaquarium on facebook.