Gulfarium Supports Manatee Conservation Initiative with Arrival of Romeo at Manatee Cove
Gulfarium is proud to announce the arrival of manatee, Romeo, to Manatee Cove as part of a statewide conservation initiative led by the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). At over 70-years-old, Romeo is the oldest known manatee, the lifespan of manatees is likely 50-60 years. Over the past year and a half, Romeo received round-the-clock care and essential medical
Four Sea Turtles Return to the Gulf Following Successful Rehabilitation at Gulfarium CARE Center
Destin-Fort Walton Beach, FL – May 29, 2025 – A gray and rainy morning didn’t stop the Gulfarium CARE Center from celebrating another successful sea turtle release at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Despite the less-than-ideal weather, a large crowd of supporters gathered to witness the heartwarming moment these turtles made their way home. Among the turtles released was Ridoc, a juvenile green sea turtle weighing 21 pounds. Ridoc was found floating near Crab Island with hook and line wrapped tightly
Gulfarium CARE Center Kicks Off 2025 Turtle Season with First Public Release
Destin–Fort Walton Beach, FL – May 19, 2025 – This morning at Henderson Beach State Park, a joyful crowd of beachgoers, marine life enthusiasts, and families gathered to witness the Gulfarium CARE Center’s first public sea turtle release of the 2025 season. Under sunny skies and calm surf, three rehabilitated juvenile sea turtles—Riorson, Pee-wee, and Peony—were successfully returned to the Gulf. This release marks the start of what is anticipated to be a busy season for the CARE Center, which has already
Meet Our New Rescued Manatees at Gulfarium’s Manatee Cove!
We're thrilled about the opening of Manatee Cove at the Gulfarium and we can't wait for you to meet our two incredible residents, Lil Joe and Inigo!Meet Lil Joe Lil Joe's journey began in 1989 when he was rescued as an orphaned calf near Daytona Beach, weighing just 42 pounds and measuring 3.4 feet in length. Over the years, he's faced challenges, including cold stress and malnutrition, leading to multiple rescues and rehabilitation efforts. Despite these hurdles, Lil Joe has shown remarkable resilience
Gulfarium Hosts 2nd Annual CARE on the Coast Fundraiser to Support Marine Conservation
Gulfarium is thrilled to announce the return of CARE on the Coast, the highly anticipated annual fundraiser benefiting the Gulfarium CARE Center’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and release sea turtles. Set for Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 3:30 PM, this festival-style event promises an unforgettable evening filled with live entertainment, delicious cuisine, marine animal encounters, and a shared passion for ocean conservation. Guests will be immersed in a vibrant coastal celebration, enjoying
Manatee Cove Is Now Open!
A New Chapter in Manatee Conservation at the Gulfarium Get ready for an extraordinary experience! We’re excited to introduce Lil Joe and Inigo, two rescued manatees, who have just arrived at their new home, Manatee Cove! This immersive habitat has been specially designed to provide top-tier care for these gentle giants, featuring stunning underwater views, interactive educational chats, and a chance to see these incredible animals up close like never before! As the first facility in the Florida
Gulfarium CARE Center Welcomes Eight Cold-Stunned Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles in Critical Rescue Effort
The Gulfarium CARE Center is proud to announce the arrival of eight cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtles now receiving life-saving care as part of a collaborative rescue effort led by Turtles Fly Too. This initiative highlights the power of partnerships in marine conservation and underscores the ongoing commitment to protecting one of the most endangered species of sea turtles in the world. The turtles, transported from the New England Aquarium to facilities across Florida, arrived to the CARE Center on
Gulfarium and Feed Fosters NWF Team Up to Provide Families a Fun-Filled Holiday Celebration
Last Saturday, Dec. 14, Feed Fosters NWF hosted its annual Breakfast with Santa event at the Gulfarium. Families attending the event enjoyed a fully complimentary experience, including a Chick-fil-A breakfast, festive Christmas shopping, photos with Santa, and a visit to the Gulfarium. More than 1,000 people attended the event, supported by more than 150 dedicated volunteers. This heartwarming event celebrated the holiday season while supporting foster families across Northwest Florida. Since its founding
Capture the Magic of the 2024 Holiday Season with Our Photo Opportunity!
Capture the Magic of the Season with Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park's Holiday Photo Opportunity! Looking for the perfect photo opportunity for your 2024 holiday cards? Look no further! On select dates throughout the holiday season, you can get a picture with one of our adorable African penguins! Slots for these photos are limited, so book yours today! General admission is required and must be purchased separately. Available Dates: November 9-10, November 16-17, November 23 – December 1, December 7-8,
The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island to Host Family-Friendly Halloween Event Featuring Local Community Partners
The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island is gearing up for a thrilling Halloween celebration filled with fun and excitement for all ages. Join in on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 5-8 p.m., for a night of trick-or-treating, live entertainment, carnival games, costume contests, and more! The evening starts with guests receiving a Treasure Map and a Kids Eat Free voucher at The Boardwalk's Main Entrance. Participants will follow the map to visit each merchant for a unique "X," and upon completion, they can drop off their
Gulfarium CARE Center Releases Rehabilitated Sea Turtles, Including Critically Endangered Kemp’s Rid
A heartwarming scene unfolded today at Inlet Beach Regional Access as the Gulfarium CARE Center released two rehabilitated sea turtles back into the Gulf of Mexico. Among the attendees were evacuees from Southern Florida, seeking relief from Hurricane Milton’s devastation. For many, the turtle release offered a much-needed moment of hope and inspiration. Locals, tourists, and evacuees alike gathered to witness the triumphant return of these resilient sea turtles to their natural habitat, symbolizing
Gulfarium Offers 2025 Resident Pass For Purchase in October Only
For a limited time only, from Oct. 1-31, you can secure your 2025 Resident Pass for $64.99 and enjoy unlimited visits* to Gulfarium throughout the upcoming year and the rest of this year! But hurry—this fall-exclusive offer is only available until Oct. 31!*Blackout dates apply: November 23, 2024 - December 1, 2024; December 26, 2024 - January 3, 2025; March 15 - April 6; May 24 - September 1; November 22 - November 30. Passes are valid from the date of purchase until December 20, 2025.Claim your pass
Four Endangered Sea Turtles Released Back into the Gulf by Gulfarium CARE Center at Inlet Beach
Today, Gulfarium CARE Center, a leading organization in Florida for rescuing and rehabilitating bycatch endangered sea turtles, celebrated the release of four rehabilitated sea turtles at Inlet Beach Regional Access. The event drew a diverse crowd of beachgoers, volunteers, sea turtle advocates, and school students who came to witness this remarkable marine conservation effort. The Gulfarium CARE Center, based in the Destin-Fort Walton area, regularly conducts releases at locations like Inlet Beach to
Gulfarium’s Patrick Berry Honored as Destin Chamber’s Business Person of the Quarter
During the Destin Chamber’s June 14 Business Before Hours Sponsored by Holloway Yacht Charters, Patrick Berry (left), Senior Vice President/Chief Operating Officer of Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, was honored with the Chamber’s Business Person of the Quarter Award. This award is presented directly from the Chamber’s Board of Directors to a Destin area businessperson showing vision for his or her business and leadership in our community. Berry is pictured with 2024 Chamber Chairman Christian Carlee of
Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center 2023 Recap
2023 Year in Review 2023 was a huge year at the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center! With a record number of sea turtles treated, multiple turtles tagged for research, and remarkable rehabilitation stories, this is certainly a year we will not soon forget. We cared for 133 sea turtles in 2023, and successfully released 119 turtles! With 3 turtles still currently in rehab at the C.A.R.E. Center, our overall rehabilitation success rate for the year was 92%! Of those 119 released turtles, 75 were Loggerheads, 31 were
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park Officially Welcomes Resident Dolphins to New Habitat
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, located on Okaloosa Island in Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida, is excited to announce that their resident Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are making themselves at home in the long-awaited Dolphin Oasis. Located on the north side of the park, Dolphin Oasis truly lives up to its name, boasting 2.2 acres of sandy dunes, palms, and the stunning emerald waters of the Florida Gulf Coast. After giving the dolphins time to acclimate to their new surroundings, Dolphin Oasis
Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center Releases Four Rehabilitated Sea Turtles
The Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center successfully released four more rehabilitated sea turtle patients on Friday, November 17th, 2023 in Perdido Key, Florida. After a record summer of turtle intakes, the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center has been relieved with the slowing down of the season. As the weather cools down, sea turtles swim towards deeper, cooler water, and their activity in the shore of the Emerald Coast lessens. This public release was presented by the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center staff and volunteers, and
Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center is Awarded Funding by the Sea Turtle Grants Program 2023
The Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center has been awarded a grant for $10,087.09 from the Florida Sea Turtle Grants Program. The C.A.R.E Center received the grant to help renovate a designated necropsy suite, as well as additional transport tubs to hold turtles for intake exams, release transport, dry docking after surgical procedures, and holding for necropsy. This grant will greatly increase the efficiency to conduct necropsies in a timely manner and increase the C.A.R.E. Center's knowledge and improve clinical
Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center Successfully Releases Three More Rehabilitated Sea Turtles
The Gulfarium's C.A.R.E. Center successfully released another three rehabilitated sea turtle patients on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at Henderson Beach State Park in Destin, Florida. So far this year the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center has taken in 91 sea turtles due to strandings, and has released 61 of them. Today, three sea turtles, two Loggerheads and one Kemps ridley, were returned to the Gulf of Mexico. Several dedicated C.A.R.E Center staff team members and their volunteers, as well as numerous beachgoers
Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center Successfully Releases Six Rehabilitated Sea Turtles
The Gulfarium's C.A.R.E. Center successfully released six rehabilitated sea turtle patients on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at Inlet Beach in the Florida panhandle. The Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center has taken in 89 patients this year, and so far has released 58 of them. Today, six sea turtles, four Loggerheads, one Kemps ridley, and one Green were able to return to the Gulf of Mexico. This marks the third release at Inlet Beach in the last month. Several dedicated C.A.R.E Center staff team members and their
Gulfarium Press Announcement - Five Sea Turtles Return to the Gulf
The Gulfarium's C.A.R.E. Center successfully released five rehabilitated sea turtle patients on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at Inlet Beach in the Florida panhandle. Since turtle season began in May, the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center has been very busy with the intake of injured turtles, sometimes receiving three to four turtles per day. The staff at the C.A.R.E. Center are working very hard and around the clock to give these turtles the care they need for a successful release into their natural
