Breakfast with the Sharks
In Sarasota, where the Gulf is both a daily backdrop and a vital part of civic life, few subjects inspire as much fascination—and misunderstanding—as the shark.
By Edit Sarasota Staff
In Sarasota, where the Gulf is both a daily backdrop and a vital part of civic life, few subjects inspire as much fascination—and misunderstanding—as the shark. At Mote Science Education Aquarium’s Breakfast with the Sharks, visitors can begin their Sunday with coffee, conversation, and a closer look at the animals that occupy an important place in Florida’s marine ecosystem.
The program pairs a light continental breakfast with an introduction to Mote’s shark research, offering an accessible way to learn about the science behind these famously misunderstood predators. Guests will meet the aquarium’s resident sharks and have the opportunity to ask questions directly during a program designed for curiosity at every age. The tone is inviting rather than intimidating: a chance to replace movie mythology with a clearer understanding of shark behavior, biology, and conservation.
That conversation carries particular weight in Sarasota, a coastal community whose economy, recreation, and identity are closely tied to the water. Sharks are part of the Gulf’s natural balance, and learning how they live—and how researchers study them—can deepen the public’s connection to the marine environment just beyond the shoreline. Mote’s work gives that connection a local dimension, linking scientific discovery with education and public engagement.
For decades, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium has served as one of the region’s most recognizable centers for marine research and learning. Its science education programs translate complex questions about ocean life into experiences that feel immediate and memorable, whether the subject is coral, sea turtles, dolphins, or the sharks that command this particular morning. The Science Education Aquarium offers visitors a close view of marine animals while making room for the questions that often lead to a lasting interest in the sea.
Breakfast with the Sharks takes place Sunday, October 25, 2026, at the Mote Science Education Aquarium, 225 University Town Center Drive. Following the program, admission to the aquarium allows guests to continue exploring its exhibits at their own pace. It is a fitting Sarasota ritual: start with breakfast, leave with better questions, and spend the rest of the morning looking at the Gulf’s wildest residents in a new light.