Mexican Theme Park Company To Buy Miami Seaquarium

MIAMI, FL — A Mexico-based theme park operator, the Dolphin Company, announced Tuesday that it will take over the Miami Seaquarium, which is owned by Palace Entertainment.

The companies are still hashing out the sale’s closing conditions related to licensing and lease assignment, according to a news release. In the meantime, Palace Entertainment will continue to operate the Key Biscayne attraction.

The Dolphin Company is the largest park operator in Latin America and the number one Swimming with the Dolphins company in the world, the news release said.

Miami Seaquarium first opened its doors in 1955. At the time, it was the world’s largest marine attraction.

Today, the aquarium is known as a center for wildlife conservation that focuses on the rescue, rehabilitation and release of distressed marine animals. It also offers various educational programs on environmental issues and marine science.

“We are proud to announce the addition of Miami Seaquarium to our Dolphin Family and are pleased to have the opportunity to bring our experience of more than 25 years with marine mammals to the most popular attraction in South Florida. We look forward to soon welcoming Miami Seaquarium’s employees, marine mammals and visitors to our family,” Eduardo Albor, chief executive officer of the Dolphin Company, said.

The Dolphin Company, founded in 1994, operates more than 30 parks and habitats in eight countries and three continents, including the United States, Italy, Mexico and Argentina.

Once the sale of Miami Sequarium closes by the end of the year, it will be the company’s fourth attraction in Florida. The Dolphin Company also owns and operates GulfWorld in Panama City Beach, Marineland in St. Augustine and Dolphin Connection in Duck Key.