Jellyfish WAVE
On a coastline accustomed to dolphins, manatees and the occasional shark fin, jellyfish can seem like the sea’s supporting cast—beautiful, slightly mysterious, and best admired from a respectful dista
By Edit Sarasota Staff
On a coastline accustomed to dolphins, manatees and the occasional shark fin, jellyfish can seem like the sea’s supporting cast—beautiful, slightly mysterious, and best admired from a respectful distance. But these drifting animals are among the ocean’s most ancient and adaptable inhabitants, and Sarasota will have a chance to meet them on their own terms during Jellyfish WAVE, a free virtual celebration of World Jellyfish Day.
Presented by the Mote Science Education Aquarium, the online jamboree invites viewers into the weird and wonderful world of jellies. The format is fitting: jellyfish are creatures of motion and light, their translucent bodies pulsing through the water with an elegance that feels almost otherworldly. Yet beneath that hypnotic appearance lies a story of survival, ecology and scientific discovery—one that connects directly to the waters surrounding Sarasota.
For a community shaped by the Gulf of Mexico, learning about jellies is more than an exercise in marine curiosity. Jellyfish are part of the coastal food web, indicators of changing ocean conditions and frequent visitors to the region’s bays and beaches. Their presence can inspire questions about water quality, warming seas and the delicate balance that sustains local marine life. A virtual program also makes it possible for families, students and lifelong learners to explore those questions together, whether they are tuning in from a Sarasota living room or farther afield.
Mote’s education programs have long helped translate marine science into something vivid and accessible. The Science Education Aquarium extends that mission through hands-on encounters, public learning and a close look at the animals that share Florida’s waters. Jellyfish WAVE offers a chance to consider a familiar shoreline sight from a new perspective—and perhaps to replace a little apprehension with fascination.
The event takes place online on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in honor of World Jellyfish Day. Admission is free, and the program will be hosted virtually by the Mote Science Education Aquarium, making it an easy way to spend an evening immersed in Sarasota’s favorite subject: the living Gulf.