Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory

At Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory in Panacea, you begin to get a better sense of what’s really out there. On a quiet back street between the highway and the bay, we house a collection of sea water tanks and aquariums. Water bubbles and flows in a swirl that sustains unique collections of the bizarre and the beautiful. Unlike most big public aquariums that emphasize porpoises and big fish, we focus on creatures such as seahorses and hermit crabs, emerald-eyed spiny box fish, electric rays and red and white spotted calico crabs – just a few of the the endless living treasures of north Florida’s still shining coast.

Certain tanks are “touch tanks” and are wildly popular with younger visitors. When you purchase your ticket to the aquarium, you will be informed on which tanks are touch tanks.