Gulf Specimen Marine Lab

Gulf Specimen Marine Lab Gulf Specimen Public Aquarium For specific details on events or orders please call our office at (850)984-5297. We do not charge for kids under 2.
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Established in 1963, Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that provides marine life to schools and research laboratories. We also study endangered species and conduct research in mariculture, farming the edge of the sea. Today we are an integral part of numerous research programs all over the United States, Canada and Europe. In 1995, due to continued

strong growth in interest and attendance, GSML began a program to more strongly emphasize educational programs for regional schools, aquarium display and public visitation. Our sea urchins and sponges have been sent to outer space and have been studied using some of the most sophisticated technology our society has to offer. Yet as modern day “hunter gathers” we employ many of the simple harvesting techniques that Indians, who subsisted on this bountiful Panhandle coast used thousands of years ago. Whether it’s beach combing, digging up creatures on tidal flats, diving or net fishing, we take only what is needed, strive to keep from damaging the fragile marine habitats, and actively oppose pollution and careless coastal development so that the sea will continue to bring forth. Please help us protect the earth which grows such strange and beautiful creatures. Support the preservation and protection of natural area and avoid over consumptive habits. Gulf Specimen is closed to the public on the following Holidays: Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day. We charge $15 for adults (12+), $13 for seniors, and $10 for kids (3-11 years old).

Creature Feature!Today's creature is the chiton. There are many species of chiton around the world. All chitons are mari...
09/09/2026

Creature Feature!
Today's creature is the chiton. There are many species of chiton around the world. All chitons are marine and can only tolerate saltwater; however, some can live in deeper and colder parts of the ocean than others. They are mollusks, meaning they are related to snails and slugs. They feed with a radula and can eat a variety of organisms found in rocky areas.
The oldest fossil found of a chiton was in Missouri and has been dated to the Cambrian period. The Cambrian period began about 540 million years ago and is seen as the beginning of animals developing hunting and defense strategies (like hard shells).
How amazing that we still have these living fossils today!
Come by our touch tanks and see if u can find some of these hiding under rocks!

Guess the Critter Reveal!Today’s zoomed-in critter was a Clear Sea Sq**rt.These sea squirts are a tunicate, and get thei...
09/08/2026

Guess the Critter Reveal!

Today’s zoomed-in critter was a Clear Sea Sq**rt.

These sea squirts are a tunicate, and get their name from their clear bodies and their habit of squirting water when disturbed. They are solitary animals that form in clusters and spend most of their lives attached to a solid structure.

09/08/2026

Guess that Critter!

Can you guess which critter this is under our microscope?
Drop your guesses in the comments and we will reveal the answer tonight!!

Happy Labor Day!Thank you to all the hard workers out there!
09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day!
Thank you to all the hard workers out there!

Friendly reminder that we will be open at our normal hours tomorrow!We hope to see you soon!
09/06/2026

Friendly reminder that we will be open at our normal hours tomorrow!
We hope to see you soon!

Happy International Day of Charity!If you are looking to support a good cause today or any other day Gulf Specimen Marin...
09/05/2026

Happy International Day of Charity!
If you are looking to support a good cause today or any other day Gulf Specimen Marine Lab can always use the help.
Donations go towards updating our turtle hospital, feeding our animals, rescuing and caring for rehab patients, and so much more!
Help us help them! 🐢🐠🪸
You can symbolically adopt one of our rehab patients in person, here at the lab.
If you are unable to come in person, linked below is our Amazon wishlist and our turtle hospital tank fund.
Both of which can be found linked on our website.
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1WOUYMX4MPYVQ?ref_=wl_share
https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/F9KJWCN2EGGLA

Enjoy this beautiful red flat claw hermit in a vibrant ulip snail's shell!See if you can spot him in our touch tanks!
09/04/2026

Enjoy this beautiful red flat claw hermit in a vibrant ulip snail's shell!
See if you can spot him in our touch tanks!

You may be wondering why stingrays look the way they do. Stingrays are a unique type of fish. They are cartilagenous, me...
09/02/2026

You may be wondering why stingrays look the way they do. Stingrays are a unique type of fish. They are cartilagenous, meaning that they do not have any bones. They also eat by suctioning their body against the bottom of the ocean (or, in Peaches' case suctioning against the wall) and sucking up their food. They breathe using not only their gills, but also through their spiracles. Spiracles allow the stingray to bury its body almost all the way under the sand and still breathe.
The stingrays pictured here are both females, but males can be identified by the presence of claspers. Located near the a**l fins, claspers allow them to hold on during reproduction.
Stop by our Mother Ocean room to see all of our beautiful rays, and impress your friends and family with your anatomical knowledge!

We would like to give a special thanks to Scarlett, who celebrated her birthday by asking her friends to bring Gulf Spec...
09/01/2026

We would like to give a special thanks to Scarlett, who celebrated her birthday by asking her friends to bring Gulf Specimen some goodies from our wishlist in lieu of presents. We are so thankful that Scarlett thought of us. Our turtles and other animals thank her!

We rely greatly on various supplies for our animals, and if you are interested in making a donation from our wishlist you can find the link here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1WOUYMX4MPYVQ?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all for your ongoing support 💚

Guess the Critter Reveal!Today’s critter was a zoomed in Short Spined Sea Urchin!Short spined sea urchins tend to be pin...
08/31/2026

Guess the Critter Reveal!
Today’s critter was a zoomed in Short Spined Sea Urchin!

Short spined sea urchins tend to be pink and white, and are known for their short spines covering their bodies. They have tiny tube feet between their spines which they use for movement and to cover themselves in debris for camouflage.

Address

222 Clark Drive
Panacea, FL
32346

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+18509845297

Website

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