For times, locations and ticket prices, see the more information section under the story below.

In Marathon, just next to the famed Overseas Highway, you may hear a little commotion.

"It's like this suction, so it's, like, really fast," Ohio teacher Jill Evans says, describing feeding stingrays with a pair of chop stick-like tongs.

In this tropical Eden protected by iguanas and full of snorkelers swimming in a moat awaits an immersive attraction with three levels of hands-on interactions.

The Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters specializes in catering to your level of courage.

"You don't get splashed a lot by sharks in Ohio," Christy DeMetry says.

Here, folks start by feeding stingrays, using chop-stick like tongs.

"We were feeding the shark and the stingray," DeMetry says, as Evans gets excited and jumps in.

"I think the stick was in the water for the sting ray and then all the big ones were on top and then the shark came and turned fast and got us all soaked," Evans says.

Next, slip into a wet suit to get even closer.

What appears to be a giant hot tub is actually filled with something you won't find at the spa: this tub is squirming with stingrays who want to get close.

"They were really nice and they liked to come up on our laps, especially the really big one!" said Ava Gerber, visiting from Akron, Ohio.

Gerber crawled in for a feeding session that's almost up to your neck when you have a seat in the tub.

"I didn't feed them because I don't like touching dead fish, but they were really soft," Gerber says.

Instead of shrimp on the grill, here, it's between your fingers, with a side of fear echoing in your head.

The rays glide by and suck their lunch from your hand like a vacuum cleaner. Don't worry about their teeth, because they have none.

"I was scared at first, though," says Sydney Shack visiting from New Jersey.

About this Destination

Where: Marathon, Florida Keys, Monroe County

Open: Monday — Sunday

Hours: 9 a.m. — 6 p.m.

Phone number: 305-407-3262

Email: info@floridakeysaquariumencounters.com

General Admission:
Adults: $20
Children ages 4–12: $15

Encounter Tickets:

  • Stingray feeding:
    Adults: $25
    Children: $10
  • Stingrays on your lap:
    Adults: $65
    Children: $65

Address:
11710 Overseas Highway
Marathon, FL 33050

Website: http://www.floridakeysaquariumencounters.com/

Parking: Free

Accessibility Note:
Stairs lead into the check-in building. Ramps are provided. Steps are in use on the boardwalk lagoon. Yet, a pathway will allow those in a wheelchair to bypass the bridge.

GPS Longitude & Latitude:
Latitude: 24.730222
Longitude: -81.031364

Latitude:  24° 43' 48.7992"
Longitude: -81° 1' 52.9098"

Drive Times:
From Orlando: 5 hours, 45 minutes
From Tampa: 6 hours

Tankful on Television
You can catch new Florida on a Tankful stories each Thursday and Saturday on News 13 and Bay News 9. New editions play at the end of each hour starting at 6 a.m. Classic Florida on a Tankful stories can be found each Friday and Sunday on Bay News 9 and News 13 at the end of each hour starting at 6 a.m.

Tankful on Demand
This story was part of the Florida on a Tankful Summer Road Trip.  Catch the 30-minute special with Scott Fais now on Bright House Local On Demand, Channel 999. Use your remote to scroll to the right to the TRAVEL category. Then SCROLL DOWN to TANKFUL.