Virtual Reality Film Allows Visitors To Swim With Winter The Dolphin

CLEARWATER, FL — Clearwater Marine Aquarium continues to celebrate Winter the Dolphin’s legacy with the debut of the short film, “Remembering Winter.” Winter will live on in the physical world as well as the digital world with an immersive virtual reality experience.

Through CMA’s cutting-edge technology, guests are now able to virtually swim with Winter. From Winter’s rescue to the creation of her prosthetic tail to daily enrichment, divers will get an exclusive look at her story of survival. Throughout her life, CMA captured 360-degree videos of Winter and countless two-dimensional images which have been integrated into a virtual reality experience.

“We’re thrilled to debut ‘Remembering Winter’ and celebrate Winter’s playful and unique demeanor. Through this virtual experience, Winter’s 16-year journey and unwavering spirit of survival continues to inspire all of us,” said Dr. James “Buddy” Powell, president of Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Related:

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• Winter The Dolphin Reunited With Rescuer 14 Years Later

In November 2021, Winter the dolphin died of intestinal torsion, a condition in which the intestines randomly twist on themselves and block the flow of blood.

Winter was rescued as a calf after her tail became entwined in a crab trap. She subsequently lost her tail due to the injury and made history when it was replaced with the first prosthetic dolphin tail.

During her 16 years, her story of triumphing over adversity impacted millions of people around the world and was turned into the major motion picture "Dolphin Tale" (2011) starring Morgan Freeman, Harry Conick Jr. and Ashley Judd.

Remembering Winter is free with the purchase of any VR experience currently available in the Legends from the Deep exhibit on the fourth floor of Clearwater Marine Aquarium. With a mission to support marine conservation through the creation of engaging events, “Undersea Explorer” features technology syncing 360-degree stereoscopic VR with dynamic motion seating for the ultimate below-the-sea adventure. The 22-seat theater experience features state-of-the-art, motion platform VR technology that transports guests to the ocean’s depths.

VR dive goggles are sanitized after each viewing. VR tickets can be purchased here.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium has also announced the launch of a new audio tour for guests to immerse themselves in CMA’s marine life conservation efforts and learn more about the rescued marine animals in their care.

The self-guided tour is offered free for guests and has 26 curated stops which are marked throughout the facility. Guests also have the option to select a children’s or adult version, sponsored by BayCare, while a limited supply of braille devices and headsets for people with hearing impairments are also available.

“With these tours, we are hoping to provide guests with another fun way to engage with the unique rescue stories of the animals under our care and the work we do outside the four walls to conserve and protect all marine life,” said Lisa Oliver, Clearwater Marine Aquarium chief operating officer. “We’re especially thankful for the support of BayCare allowing us to share these stories as we close out our 50th anniversary and start looking to our next 50 years dedicated to marine life rescue and conservation.”

“We’re proud to support the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and its efforts to preserve our precious environment,” said Lou Galdieri, co-chief operating officer of BayCare, a not-for-profit health system that includes Morton Plant Hospital, located on the Clearwater waterfront. “A healthy community includes good neighbors working together to support each other. We are inspired by the aquarium’s commitment to animal care and advocacy for the health of marine life in the Tampa Bay area and are glad we can help educate the public about this mission through the sponsorship of audio tours.”

As a nod to the aquarium's 50-year history, Clearwater Marine Science Center founder Mary McCormack leads the kids' tour as “Eco-Ranger Mary.”

In 1972, McCormack incorporated the small not-for-profit as an educational facility, focused on teaching children and adults about the world of the sea around us.

Production duo Caroline Figuel and Danny Jones worked with CMA staff to create the tour content and even an exclusive theme song, “If We All Pitch In,” for the children’s version. Figuel and Jones have created music for Disney and produced audio tours for Ripley’s Aquarium, Pearl Harbor’s USS Bowfin and Pacific Submarine Fleet Museum, Biltmore Estate and Stone Mountain Park, to name a few.

Tour Mate in Canada provided the rental equipment which includes the tour wands. CMA has 500 devices on hand to serve guests.