Situated
just east of Crystal River and Homosassa Springs, Mertailor’s Mermaid Aquarium Encounter
is a highly unique, family-friendly indoor attraction that seamlessly blends marine
education, conservation, and theatrical fantasy.
Founded by Eric Ducharme—internationally known as "The Mertailor" for
his world-renowned, custom-fabricated mermaid tails—this boutique aquarium offers
visitors an intimate, immersive alternative to massive commercial marine parks.
The experience is structured around 90-minute timed admission sessions, ensuring
that the facility never feels overly crowded and that every guest gets an up-close
view of the exhibits. Advance reservations are recommended - walk up admission is
not guaranteed once capacity is reached. The aquarium experience is wheelchair accessible.
Upon crossing the threshold, visitors are transported into an environment that mixes
nautical themes with a lush tropical rainforest setting. The journey begins with
an indoor aviary featuring vibrant, rescued macaws and parrots, establishing the
aquarium's overarching theme of animal rescue and environmental stewardship.
As guests advance deeper into the facility, they encounter more than 25 distinct
aquatic exhibits showcasing marine life from around the globe. This includes specialized
displays like a freshwater exhibit that replicates the native ecosystems found at
Florida’s local natural springs, as well as tanks housing unique creatures like
the colorful Peacock Mantis Shrimp.
Hands-on interaction is a core pillar of the encounter. The aquarium features two
interactive touch tanks: one dedicated to invertebrates like sea stars and sea urchins,
and another affectionately nicknamed "Ray Bay." At Ray Bay, visitors can
gently stroke friendly stingrays as they glide along the surface, with options to
purchase food to feed the rays and small sharks.
The undisputed crown jewel of the visit is the live underwater performance held
inside a massive, 15,000-gallon Caribbean saltwater aquarium. This vibrant habitat
is home to an array of tropical fish, stingrays, and sharks. Throughout the day,
professional mermaids and mermen—outfitted in Mertailor's signature hyper-realistic
prosthetic tails—submerge into the tank to perform breathtaking aquatic ballets.
These synchronized, underwater routines combine graceful swimming and playful choreography
with musical scores and narration. While the storytelling captures the imagination
of younger guests, the performances also weave in vital educational messages regarding
ocean conservation and the protection of marine habitats.
The attraction also hosts seasonal themed productions, such as the Halloween Spooktacular
and Christmas Under the Sea. For those wanting to take the magic a step further,
the facility offers premium, add-on in-water experiences. Guests can book a Stingray
Encounter for shallow-water interaction, or a Swim with the Fish session to snorkel
directly inside the main aquarium alongside the marine life. True enthusiasts can
even sign up for the Discover Mermaid Experience, learning the fundamental underwater
skills and movement styles of "mermaiding" from the professional performers
themselves.
By combining Hollywood-grade costuming with genuine marine science, the Mermaid
Aquarium Encounter provides an unforgettable, magical look into life under the sea.
Activities & Facilities
Museum or Visitor Center
Zoo/animal displays