"Who wants to volunteer to help with the sea critters?" asked the wildlife specialist on our Sea Life Safari Eco Cruise at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium [1].

Kids clamored for attention, and were quick to help with the fish, snails, crabs and sea urchin that the crew had netted as we cruised the Intracoastal channel off Clearwater Beach. The job: Carry a sea critter around in a clear pail for all passengers to see as the wildlife expert talked of its unique qualities.

The two-hour pontoon boat cruise has a dual purpose, much like the aquarium itself.

The newly renovated and expanded aquarium just off the Clearwater Bayway is a marine animal hospital that doubles as an education center – and is a great place to visit with kids.

You can get eye-to-eye with a dolphin through portals into its tank and touch the silky-smooth backs of passing stingrays at Stingray Beach. You can even get wet if you stand too close to the rail as the dolphins go through stimulating, sometimes airborne exercises.

The world-famous center for marine preservation also offers a variety of weeklong half- and full-day summer camps for kids K-12 through August 15. Kids of all ages can take a behind-the-scenes tour or opt for special dolphin programs.

As much fun as we were having on the cruise, the kids were eager to see Winter, a determined dolphin with a prosthetic tail that has become a national star. Found trapped in fishing nets, the dolphin wasn't expected to survive.

She now has a prosthetic tail designed by a world-renowned scientist. As we left the dolphin show, we spotted her lounging across an air mattress in a side tank. She slid off, dove underwater and swam over to us. The kids in the group were engrossed, struck by a child's wonderful amazement.

Then, Winter's trainer whistled and the moment was gone, but not forgotten.