CLEARWATER, Fla. — Clearwater is known for its pristine white sandy beaches that people visit from around the country and the world, but along with the area’s famous beaches comes an abundance of wildlife.

You can discover it on your own, but one of the best ways to observe and learn about the many creatures that call this area home is to be led by a seasoned professional. 

A vessel at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium can introduce you to all the sea life. 

Prepping the nets and casting them out into the bay is a daily activity for Andrea Herrmann. As a senior lead marine biologist at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, she works with a host of different animals that inhabit the ocean. 

But one of her main focuses is working aboard its Sea Life Safari Nature Cruises, which help you explore and learn about the bay's many sea creatures. 

And while Herrmann has worked at the aquarium for the past four years, her journey as a marine biologist started at a very young age. Growing up with a fascination and love of manatees, she spent countless hours observing them and learning about the ocean. She later turned that hobby into her career, majoring in marine science in college.

Now, she says she can’t see herself doing anything else and prides herself on the work she does — educating and teaching adults and children alike about the many ways to respect and protect the ocean. 

The Sea Life Safari Nature Cruise tours — which Herrmann leads with a small team of others at the aquarium — take you out through Clearwater Bay.

However, what really sets these tours apart from others is the hands-on approach. Each day, they cast a net and see what they can bring aboard from the bay to examine. It’s anyone’s guess what they might find day to day, but it makes for an entirely new experience each time you’re on board. 

And during the midcruise stop, you and your family get to hop off the boat to explore a small island where you can shell and take in the natural beauty of Clearwater. It’s a day-trip adventure with a seasoned crew that will teach you the wonders of the ocean. 

The Sea Life Safari Nature Cruise runs daily. Each tour last about 90 minutes and for more information, be sure to head to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium website.