Miami Seaquarium will close at the end of the year to transform into a new aquarium without marine mammals

The historic Miami Seaquarium, which has been part of the collective memory of generations in South Florida since 1955, will close its doors at the end of 2025 to make way for an ambitious redevelopment project.

The facility, which has been at the center of legal controversies and allegations of animal mistreatment, will be transformed into a modern aquarium without marine mammals under the direction of Terra Group, a developer based in Coconut Grove.

A new beginning without animal shows

According to "frequently asked questions" documents obtained by Local 10, Terra Group submitted "the highest and best offer" to take over the Seaquarium, an operation that still requires approval from a bankruptcy court and the county commissioners.

His proposal includes replacing the park with an accredited aquarium that offers immersive aquatic experiences, an education and conservation center, facilities at the port, seaside wellness spaces, shops and restaurants specializing in seafood, as well as green areas and a public waterfront promenade.

The iconic dome of Buckminster Fuller will be preserved and converted into an event space.

Terra confirmed in a statement that "as part of the transition, the Miami Seaquarium will temporarily cease operations at the end of 2025," at which point the resident animals will be relocated to new homes.

The company emphasized that it will ensure the protection of employees by maintaining salaries and benefits, and that it will guarantee safe care for all species during the process.

The support of local authorities

The mayor of Miami-Dade, Daniella Levine Cava, and commissioner Raquel Regalado, representative of Virginia Key, celebrated the agreement in a joint statement published on X.

It was labeled as "a great step forward for Miami-Dade County" that opens "a new chapter in marine life education and the preservation of Biscayne Bay."

They also highlighted that the project will create "a vibrant community destination" that will combine entertainment, family services, and environmental respect.

Regalado, however, clarified that the schedule is "aspirational," as the closure could be postponed to early 2026 due to regulatory permits and the transfer of animals under USDA supervision.

He also emphasized that the new concept must "honor the history of the Miami Seaquarium" and rejected the idea of animal shows: "We don't want performing animals. We want healthy, resilient interactions based on animal welfare."

The commissioner emphasized that preserving the dome is an essential requirement and announced that she will negotiate with Terra for an increase in rent, the proceeds of which will be allocated to the parks department, which is in need of more funds.

A long history marked by controversies

Since its inauguration in 1955 on Virginia Key, the Miami Seaquarium has been a landmark for tourism and culture, even gaining international fame in the 1960s as the setting for the television series Flipper.

However, the passage of time transformed its image: along with the nostalgia of many visitors came the growing social rejection of the display of marine mammals in captivity.

The death in 2023 of Lolita, the orca who lived for more than five decades in a tank deemed inadequate by animal advocates, and that of the dolphin Sundance in December of the same year, highlighted public scrutiny.

Demands, rulings, and tensions with the county

Meanwhile, the financial and legal problems of the Seaquarium multiplied.

In March 2024, the Miami-Dade County announced the termination of the lease agreement with The Dolphin Company, the operator of the park since 2022, citing "numerous and repeated violations" of contractual terms and animal welfare.

In June of that year, the county filed a lawsuit to evict the company from the public lands, following accusations of neglect of the facilities and improper care for various species, including dolphins, penguins, and sea lions.

The decision was supported by USDA inspections that detected irregularities: from high levels of bacteria in pools and poor conditions of the enclosures to sick animals without proper care, ants in the veterinary clinic, and stagnant water with algae in areas for the flamingos.

A report from January 2024 revealed, for example, that a dolphin named Ripley was found with a nail in its throat, while another, Bimini, had a broken bolt in its mouth.

The case of Sushi, a California sea lion with vision problems who did not receive the necessary surgery in time, was also documented.

In October 2024, a civil judge rejected an attempt by the county to immediately evict the operator, ordering instead that the parties engage in mediation and that the company continue to pay rent on time.

Dolphin Company defended its management, describing the lawsuit as "groundless and politically motivated" and claimed to have corrected most of the violations, accusing the county of obstructing construction permits to make improvements.

Meanwhile, public pressure grew. In February 2024, PETA organized protests calling for the termination of the contract, reinforcing the perception that the Seaquarium could not sustain itself under the same model.

A different future for Virginia Key

The selection of Terra Group over Integra Investments, its competitor in the bid, marks a turning point.

If the plans go ahead, the Seaquarium will give way to a project that combines conservation, education, and recreation, with Biscayne Bay as the main focus and no marine mammal shows.

With nearly 70 years of history, close to 1,000 animals, and 148 employees, the facility is preparing for a closure that will end a controversial era and usher in another one that, according to its promoters and local authorities, aims to strike a balance between memory, sustainability, and the future.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Closure and Transformation of the Miami Seaquarium