This place is truly at the heart of what the forgotten coast is all about. This little place here on our gorgeous, forgotten coast is dedicated to so many invaluable missions when it comes to taking care of and preserving land as well as the creatures that dwell here whether they be on the land, in the sea or most comfortable in the air. It's very clear that everybody working here has such a heart and a passion for the reptiles, marine life, animals, birds, that they help in represent here in the community. This annual fundraiser for Gulf Specimen Marine Lab is such a fun way for all of us to try to drum up awareness & support for the mission here while getting to have a wonderful time playing dress up & bidding on really cool things at the silent auction. This year alone in our area they helped take care of hundreds of stunned sea turtles when the weather got well below what it typically is persistently for this area and that mission alone is more than worth heading over for a visit getting to learn about the wildlife in this area and supporting their endeavors! Not to mention the fact that there are so many, very interactive ways for both adults and kids to be entertained here while learning about our local wildlife & conservation! read more

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So cool! They had so many animals to touch and see. Great for my kids age 10 and 13 years old as well.

If you like touch tanks and examining marine life up close, this aquarium is worth visiting. The staff are knowledgeable and people who visit are happy - forgetting their worries while looking in the tanks, watching fish, seahorses, crabs, turtles, sharks and other sea creatures in front of them. Octopus feeding was a special treat to watch. Visit the store for several impressive books written by the owner. There is much more information posted than you'll find at many larger aquariums. read more

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We adventured to the Guif specimen marine lab uncertain what to expect. We were pleasantly surprised by a variety of exhibits, including touch tanks, sharks, loggerhead turtle and others. There are a lot of signs with educational information about sea life and some land creatures like hermit crabs. There are also many "pickled" specimens available for viewing to peek into the world of deep sea creatures. Lots of photo opportunities with various sculptures were available and the staff was very knowledgeable. There are feedings several times throughout the day for the sharks and turtles. Great for curious travelers with or without children. read more

Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratories - Gulf specimen marine lab sign and giant blue crab - Aquariums Near Me - Panacea, Florida

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This is always one of our highlights when we come to Panacea. It's fun without kids but has been a true delight now that our kids are walking. There are so many things they get to discover with little windows on their level and items they can touch. HIGHLY recommend if you're in the area. read more

Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratories - Aquariums Near Me - Panacea, Florida

Tony and I really enjoyed the Gulf Marine Specimen Aquarium. It Coast $12 each to have a self paced tour. There was so much to see. Truly enjoyed the park. I liked the statues that were littered around so I could take photos. They are very colorful and large. I really enjoyed the touch tanks. It was not crowded. They have octopus, sharks and crabs. There is this very large blind sea turtle and stingrays and horseshoe crabs. The Aquarium is definitely worth a visit if you're near by. Proceeds go to save other marine wildlife. read more

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This little stop in Panacea is worth the trip! I absolutely love the staff and the passion they all share. Conservation and education go hand in hand. The kids love touching stuff! It's amazing. Highly recommend. read more

This place is really unique and cool. They have tons of touch tanks and everyone is very knowledgeable. I was there with a school group and they took us around explaining all the different animals there, let the kids touch so many different ones, and then we crossed the street to the gulf where they got to net out some crabs and other marine life to see what's in the local water. The kids LOVED this. Very educational and fun. Recommend. read more

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We enjoyed our visit but the Laboratory was being worked on during operating hours. When we entered the room with all the touch tanks we stepped over cords powering saws as part of the doorway was being replaced. The tanks were crowded but it was very interesting watching all of the sea creatures. This exhibits are outside so be prepared for the sweltering summer heat if you visit during the warmer months. The literature posted around the park is visually appealing and informative but there are buttons that you can push to hear the sounds of sea creators, unfortunately none of them worked during our time there. The staff was friendly and willing to answer questions. We enjoyed our brief visit and we hope the sweet little sea turtle we saw is able to be released soon! read more

Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratories - Hermit crab touch tank - Aquariums Near Me - Panacea, Florida

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Amazing staff and experience! The sea turtle Herc is well cared for and a highlight of our visit. The staff was super helpful in answering our questions. read more

First time visiting the marine. Went with my son on a play date and they enjoyed it. I would Suggest having some interaction with people who work there to give tours or provide information about the marine life this will make it more lively. read more

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Lots of cool things to see for all ages. Our grandchildren enjoyed touching and seeing all the different marine life. Can't wait to go again!! read more

Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratories - Aquariums Near Me - Panacea, Florida

I will echo some of the other reviews in saying that this place looks a little dated and the tanks with the larger animals (sting rays and nurse sharks) do look small. Still an enjoyable experience. Friendly staff. I made a video of our trip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTDa1oFJ60M Or youtube: "Gulf Specimen Aquarium - Panacea, Florida" read more

Had a great time. Came with the GKs and family on a getaway and it was well worth the price of admission. I would definitely come back and I wish them well in their endeavors! read more

I used to love this place - as a kid, when I didn't know what conditions marine life was supposed to be given in an aquarium. Aaaand the place hasn't changed since I was a kid. The tanks are cramped and filthy - lots of them with dead creatures (Not feeder fish) floating around in them. There are no instructions for kids and ignorant parents on how to hold the touch tank creatures - there was a family of kids picking up the horseshoe crabs by the tails and literally ripping the tails off. My boyfriend alerted a staff member to this, who didn't seem to care much. This place is cruel. read more

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Fantastic place. Touch tanks, sharks, seahorses, a turtle. Perfect break from beach time, or rainy day. read more

Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratories - Aquariums Near Me - Panacea, Florida

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We wanted something for our kids to enjoy off the island and found this place online. When we arrived I was pretty confused and thought, ".... is this someone's backyard?" It has nothing around it but other people's homes. My children did enjoy it because they were able to experience marine life up close and were allowed to touch what was in touch tanks. They loved it for those reasons. It is pretty inexpensive but we would not do it again. The staff was very friendly and they shared a lot of great information about the marine life and we learned some cool stuff. But I was so disappointed. The conditions these poor creatures are living in is sad. I saw so many starfish that had been ripped all apart, lying in the touch tanks waiting for the next person to grab them up to look and feel. There is a sign in the gift shop asking you to clean your hands of you have lotion or sunscreen on, however; we were not required to clean our hands before touching the animals, after touching the animals or in between touching the animals. There was no sink or sanitizer available to do so. Thankfully I had hand sanitizer on my keys. The tanks were so dirty. In some of the "no touch tanks", the water was so murky and dirty that we couldn't see what was inside at all. Sea turtles swimming inside a "tank" that isn't much wider than a kiddie pool. Injured horseshoe crabs bleeding in their tanks. I hope with the money made from visitors along with the donations people give that they can improve the conditions and quality of life for these animals. I would not recommend. read more

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The catfishes meow.. reasonably priced but priceless.. this is a " dont miss this".. perfect for a date or the family it's quaint,kewl and user friendly.. i go at least once a month read more

Awesome!!! Very educational for all ages!! Hands on fun, watch the feedings. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. We live in Kentucky but purchased a year pass so we could return read more

Looks like a home made museum from the outside, off the beaten track. Inside its pretty well organised, lots of touch tanks, a great octopus exhibit where you can study them up close. There are a couple of tanks with nurse sharks in that seem pretty small since they have lots of other swimming companions. The sharks were rescues, that's right people buy sharks and when they get big then they have to go to rescues like this as they cannot be let out in the wild. Some of the fish tanks had a lot of algae but I've read this sometimes can be beneficial. All in all we enjoyed the close up experience in a peaceful environment. read more

we love this place so very much. we have had a membership for 5 years and it has been so amazing watching my boys become braver and more curious as they age. love this place read more

There is something absolutely wonderful about this place. It is tucked into a nook off of 98, down an improbably road, full of interns and actual work going on while you look and learn about specimens of life from the gulf. I came across a brochure for the lab/aquarium when I stopped at a gas station food mart in Apalachicola or East Point and knew I wanted to visit because the brochure referenced the fact that the lab/aquarium showcased and worked with the non-charismatic life of the gulf--not predominantly sharks, for example, but mostly crabs and sea turtles; eels and fish. We went today because it was a grey, rainy day and so we weren't going to be able to go to the beach. Our 3.5 year old was over-stimulated and couldn't quite focus so we couldn't stay as last by as wanted. But, our almost-7 year old and my husband and I loved it. We held hermit crabs, watched a tank of seahorses move around; watched a tank to see the mantaray sweep up out of the water; joined a group learning about sea turtle rehab and feeding and watched the title being fed. The aquarium has indoor and outdoor areas and since it was raining we didn't spend as much time outside as we might have, but the puddles were fun. They also have a gift shop with some cool kids because oks written by local teachers, authors, and illustrators. Entrance fee is a bit steep but I am not complaining because of the work they do. Adults, 9.75$; kids, 7.50. read more

Great people who work here. Fun for the kids for about an hour and a half. Not much to do in the area so this is kinda your best bet. Got to see the rays and sharks fed which was definitely fun. The place is in great need of update but they do well with what they have. read more

A good place to take kids! We had a fun time! There were a lot of different tanks, nicely laid out! We enjoyed all the informational posters on the walls. There were different species and the kids liked that! We enjoyed being able to touch animals in the touch tank. It was also nice to have it spread out into different buildings. It helped us contain the kids better because they didn't wander off. We'd like to see more labels for what's exactly inside the tanks. As some of th tanks didn't tell you what animals were in it. They could even have labels with not only the names of the animals, but a blurb about them or their habitats. The price is kind of steep. We do realize it takes a lot of work to upkeep, but we're sticker shocked when we arrived. However, the company/owners have done a great job in their research and we thank you for that! read more

Great place! Diverse marine life! Knowledgeable staff! Several of the tanks are touch tanks so you get to interact with the marine life. I Recommend watching the feedings for the different tanks. You listen to the different informational talks and ask questions about the marine life. There is hand sanitizer and masks available. There is also a bathroom which is important if you have little ones. There isn't a concession area but they do have a drink machine and lots of nice shaded areas to sit. There is also a good little gift shop with items for everyone of any age at reasonable prices! I highly recommend the membership! It is a good value for the money. It allows multiple visits plus you get a discount in the gift shop! It more than pays for itself! read more

Fish aren't in the best condition, but they're doing what they can with what they have. Still a fun experience for 12$ a ticket.

I brought my family here late one Sunday afternoon. The owner, Jack, took time to let my children throw food in the touch tanks and watch the feeding frenzy. He has many small and wonderfully kept touch tank aquariums that are all just large enough to hold the attention of small children. I understand Jack does a lot of work with other labs researching ocean life and he is incredibly knowledgable about all the specimens he has in the tanks. The display with little crabs that followed the pattern of the tides (low tide there was no water and the crabs all huddled together and high tide the tank was filled) was a really cool interactive tank. I brought my 10, 8, and 5 year old and they all really enjoyed the experience. It's a fun half day excursion for the whole family. We are coming back soon!!! read more

Loved this!! I love the small intimate encounters and the hands on experience they bring. So many fun, hands on exhibits here including starfish, crabs, sea urchins and much more! A relaxed learn at your own pace environment is perfect for those just wanting to walk around and explore. Josh was absolutely amazing and so informative and even let me have a special handshake with an octopus! Incredible experience!! A must see if you're in the area. read more

Fun place, good price, you get to touch lots of things. I liked looking at the various sea life. It is super casual and a great place for kids. It's not super big or anything but it's a good price and it will kill an hour or two. The staff is very friendly and will answer questions. I would return. read more

It is a cool place for the kids. Unfortunately, for an adult interested in photography, it is a little lacking. The staff is entirely focused on feeding the creatures and barely aware of the customers except to snap at someone who gets too close to a dangerous tank. The tanks are not very clean and some of the anemones look a bit ill to my untrained eye. This made photography undesirable. The videos arguing that they should have more of my money, either through taxes or donations, made me feel like my $9.95 wasn't very appreciated. This place is a nice idea, but the implementation could be improved. read more

We went here last year on our family vacation to Alligator Point, FL. This is such a hidden gem. This is a great place to take the kids. Heck, I think the adults in our group had just as much fun. There are numerous "touch" tanks where you actually get to reach in and hold, touch and investigate the sea life in the tank. They had some nurse sharks (not in a touch tank...lol) and sting rays which you could see up close. The new crab area was great. They were all pretty much touch aquariums. The price is cheap considering the hours of fun you will have. Stop in and check it out. You won't be disappointed. read more

We went here during our family vacation. Great little find, our kids (3&7) loved it. The big sea turtle was the highlight!

Great stop on vacation. I brought my wife, 10 yo boy and teenage girl. We spent about 90 minutes walking and touching the exhibits. Very informative and encouraged us all to be environmentally conscious. I had visited about 11 years ago and it seemed better this time around, progress! read more

My family and I spent a wonderful three hours here. The woman at the front desk/gift shop was obviously busy with other things, but she was pleasant throughout, and stopped her own office work to make sure we had everything we needed. We began our walk through with the first "station", a video by the people who built this. I can't remember the man's name, or his spouse's, but it was obvious that this was initially a privately-funded labor of love. Over the years, we were told later in the day, it's grown and grown, to the point where they now have a mobile unit that goes all over the state teaching children about ecology, the ocean, and how important all the critters - especially sea turtles - are to our continued well-being. From there we went to the "touching pools". The tanks were all well-marked, with "Touch" and "Do not touch" signs clearly noted. Most had signs also showing what creatures were in them. I'd never picked up a giant razor clam before! The hermit crabs delighted us, the jellyfish displays were odd and awesome. There were half a dozen volunteers working that day (a Tuesday), and any time one of us had a question, one of them would stop to answer it in full. Next, we went to the third station, where a sea turtle that had been ill was receiving antibiotics through a small pipe-like thing attached to its head by what looked like duct tape. I asked one of the volunteers about it, and she explained he'd gotten a respiratory infection (!) two weeks ago, but he was doing much, much better. A local fish store had donated a tub of crab that morning, and he'd eaten well, to everyone's relief. The sting ray would lift its head out of the water, literally, in hope that we were going to feed it! On to the last station, where a bunch of the current experiments in feeding fish, growing algae or seaweed, etc were on display, as well as a big tank of octopi! You could hold a hand over an octopus and watch it change color! We stopped at the gift shop on our way our, and again, the woman came out of her office and answered all of our questions without demurring. All in all we found the staff more than helpful, and given that this is a research facility, we were very happy to donate our per person money. The children loved loved LOVED the sea turtles, and the giant statue of one (wearing a helmet no less!), and we were never bored. Given the state of the ocean and the problems we're having with aquaculture, the desperate need to preserve these species, and how much you pay for lunch or dinner out these days, I'm really shocked that people think this was too expensive. The way we looked at it, we were helping to fund the children's future. read more

Great experience. Pat was fantastic and made our trip to the marine lab better than we could have expected! Great for adults and kids.

I visited the marine lab for the first time on a day where you could get in for free. You would think that this is an event that would draw in lots of business for the marine lab, so as a result they would make sure everything was clean and looking it's best. That was not the case here. The tanks were covered in algae. They looked as though they hasn't been cleaned in months. The touch tanks had crabs that would gladly pinch a little ones finger if touched near the claws. The tanks in general were super small for the animals they held. Three nurse sharks in a tank the size of a small above ground pool doesn't seem right to me. Some of the fish tanks were so filthy that I couldn't tell what was even living in there. Most of the tanks have no cover on them so it's hard to decider between what's a touch tank and what's not if you didn' see the tiny sign (or little and can't read the sign). I am from the area and ashamed that the sea life I've grown up seeing in the wild is living in such a terrible environment. read more