Member Information

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Thank you for your interest in Mote Membership! Whether you are a current member or are considering a membership, on this page you’ll find a list of Membership benefits and levels, frequently asked questions and more.

Member Benefits

Unlimited daily admission for named member and accompanying guests to Mote Aquarium for one year by your membership level. *Members must reserve tickets in advance.

Reciprocal benefits granting Mote Members discounted admission to more than 100 zoos, aquariums and gardens across the country.

Special event pricing and early bird ticket sales for events like Sharktoberfest!

Exclusive member-only events including advance viewing of Mote’s new exhibits.

Discounts at Mote Aquarium’s gift shop, Bite Cafe and virtual reality experiences.

Discounts on educational programs and experiences such as kayaking, summer camps and more.

Membership Levels

Member benefits for one named member, allowing admission for that named member only, per Aquarium visit.
Reciprocal zoo / aquarium benefits
Price: $100

Member benefits for up to two named members, allowing admission for both named members OR one named member and one guest (total admission, two people) per Aquarium visit.
Reciprocal zoo / aquarium benefits
Price: $125

Member benefits for up to two named members, allowing admission for both named members and any two guests OR one named member and any three guests (total admission, four people) per Aquarium visit.
Reciprocal zoo / aquarium benefits
Price: $195

Member benefits for up to two named members, allowing admission for both named members and any four guests OR one named member and any five guests (total admission, six people) per Aquarium visit.
Reciprocal zoo / aquarium benefits
Price: $285

Member benefits for up to two named members, allowing admission for both named members and any six guests OR one named member and any seven guests (total admission, eight people) per Aquarium visit.
Reciprocal zoo / aquarium benefits
Price: $500

Member benefits for up to two named members, allowing admission for both named members and any eight guests OR one named member and any nine guests (total admission,10 people) per Aquarium visit.
Reciprocal zoo / aquarium benefits
Price: $1,000

AZA Reciprocal Zoo & Aquarium Benefits

Mote is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) because of our high standards for animal care, conservation, research, education and more. As part of AZA, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium has reciprocal agreements with more than 100 zoos, aquariums and museums nationwide and in Canada and Mexico. These agreements allow Mote Members free or discounted admission to other facilities.

View AZA Reciprocal Admissions Program list

Even More Reciprocals through Local Partnerships

Mote has additional partnerships with other local attractions allowing our members to visit for free in certain months. Check out the full list here!

View local reciprocal partnerships

Tips for using your reciprocal benefits:

Call the reciprocal institution BEFORE visiting to confirm their participation has not changed.
The number of visitors admitted with your Mote Membership may vary depending on the organization.
You must show your photo ID along with your membership card when you arrive at your destination to receive the discounts.
Reciprocal benefits apply only to general admission. Special events, parking, rides and other admission charges are not included and will be an additional fee.

Membership FAQs

You’ve got questions; we’ve got answers! Here is some additional helpful information about your Mote Membership.

General Questions

Are there any requirements for being a member?

Yes, membership requires individuals to be at least 16 years old and possess a valid photo ID.
Named members must be from the same household or family.

How many names can I put on my membership account?

You can include up to two named members on all membership levels, except for the individual membership, which allows one named member.
- One of the named individuals must be present to receive member tickets and to utilize member benefits.

How long is my membership active?

Your membership remains valid until the end of the month the following year of purchase.
Memberships that were active during the transition to Mote SEA have been extended for the amount of time lost.

How do I purchase a Mote Membership?

There are several ways to purchase a Mote Membership:
- Visit our website, Mote.org/Membership.
- Purchase your membership at the Aquarium’s ticketing windows.
  - You can even transfer the cost of your tickets towards a membership within 30 days of your visit.
- Call the membership office at (941) 374-2673
- Mail in payment.

I want to become a Mote member, but I want to use my membership today, is that possible?

Yes, your membership is valid as soon as it is purchased.
You will receive email confirmation as soon as your membership is purchased that will have your digital membership card embedded. You can save this card to your digital wallet or print it out. You can use this email to gain entrance to the aquarium.
You can also use the primary email address to create a member account where you can access your digital membership card and reserve your free member tickets for when you would like to visit.
Gift Memberships begin when redeemed, not purchased.

I became a Mote Member. How do I reserve member tickets online?

To log in:
- Go to ticketing.mote.org
- Click “Account Login” in the upper right corner
- If you have logged in before, you can log in now using the primary email on your membership.
- First time logging in? At the bottom of the pop-out, click “Send login link or set password”
- Follow the email link (check spam/junk if it doesn’t arrive)
- Once you have a member account your $0 member tickets will be visible on the ticket reservation page.

Can I use my membership the day it expires?

Yes, your membership is valid through the last day of the month that is printed on your card.

Can I lend my membership card or ID to a friend or family member?

Memberships are for named members to bring their friends and family with them when they visit the aquarium. One of the two named members must be present with their ID to utilize member benefits and receive member tickets.
Memberships are non-transferable and both named members must be from the same household.

Can I just come check-in my guests at the Aquarium and leave?

Yes, members can come out and check in their guests and leave. However, members are fully responsible for their guests’ conduct while on Mote property. Any violation of Mote policies by a guest may impact the members privileges.

Can my babysitter or nanny take my children to the aquarium without me?

Potentially yes, you have two options:
- List your babysitter or nanny as one of the two named members on the membership
- Purchase the caretaker option, which can be added to the Party of 4 and above levels for an additional $50.
  - The caretaker add-on allows a caregiver – such as a babysitter, nanny or aide – to visit the aquarium without the named adult member, as long as they are accompanying the named member’s dependants (typically children under 16 or individuals with special needs).
  - Caretakers are not named members and do not receive member benefits on their own. Instead, the pass is designed to support families by offering flexibility when the primary member(s) is unavailable to attend.
  - How does it work:
    - The caretaker may use the membership only when visiting with dependents of the named members.
    - To use the pass, the named member must call ahead and request tickets for the caretaker’s visit and provide their name and how many dependents will accompany them. In order to insure the pass is being used as intended, ID must be provided when picking up the tickets.
    - The pass cannot be used to bring additional guests or act as a third adult membership.
- If you do not have the caretaker option and the babysitter/nanny is not listed on your member account, we are not able to honor tickets for them.

Can I put my child on the membership so whoever has them can take them?

No, we require all named members to have a valid photo ID, so members must be 16 years or older.
You can add a caretaker to your Party of 4 or higher membership which allows a nanny or babysitter to bring in the members’ children.

Can I purchase a membership as a gift for someone?

Yes, you may purchase a gift membership by:
- Visiting our website.
- Call our membership office at (941) 374-2673.
- Mail in payment.
- Please note, gift memberships are only provided in digital gift card form. The digital gift card can be forwarded to the recipient or you can print and share the code with them.
- The gift membership is not active until the intended member redeems it – but, they must be redeemed within one year of purchase.

Can I transfer my membership to someone else?

Memberships are non-transferable.
If the membership was purchased for yourself in your name, you are not able to transfer it to someone else.
We allow one name change per year, per membership, but one of the original names must remain on that membership.

Membership Cards

When will I receive my membership card?

You will receive your digital membership card in your membership purchase confirmation email immediately upon purchase.
You can add this digital membership card to your phone wallet or save the card image to any other device. Bring your membership card – on a screen or paper – as well as photo ID every time you visit Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
If you purchased a gift membership for someone you will receive an email confirmation of your gift membership to send to the recipient.

How many membership cards will I receive?

Each membership level comes with one digital membership card in your emailed receipt. You may forward this email to an additional cardholder.

Can I still visit Mote Aquarium if I can’t locate my membership card?

Yes, present your valid photo ID at the admissions window and staff will be able to look up your membership record.

Can I still visit a reciprocal attraction if I’ve misplaced my membership card?

Reciprocal institutions are not able to look you up in their system to see if you’re a Mote member.
You will need proof of your Mote membership as well as ID.
We always recommend calling the reciprocal institution before visiting to verify any special policies they may have regarding the discounted admission.
If you are traveling and cannot find your card, we can email you another at a moments notice!

Can I change the name on my membership card and then switch it back?

We will allow one member name to be changed within the first 30 days of purchase. Please call the membership office (941) 388-441 ext. 373, if you have any questions or concerns.

Member Benefits

Is my membership good at any other attractions?

Your membership entitles you to discounted admission at more than 150 zoos, aquariums and gardens throughout North America.

There are also several local reciprocal institutions in the Sarasota area that you can visit for free, certain months throughout the year.

For the complete list of reciprocal attractions, please check mote.org/membership.

Will the reciprocity change?

Yes, reciprocity can change at any time throughout the year.

Reciprocity changed and now my local zoo is no longer on it, may I have a refund?

No, memberships are donations and are non-refundable and reciprocity can change at any time.

I didn’t use my membership at all; can I get a refund or a partial refund?

No, memberships are donations and are non-refundable.

Mote SEA Membership FAQs

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A sea star with a bright pink underside in the Indo-Pacific Gallery at Mote Science Education Aquarium

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