The Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center is a non-profit 57-acre marine life nature center located on Hutchinson Island between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean in Stuart, FL. The center offers educational programs to people of all ages and conducts research and restoration programs that lead to healthy coastal ecosystems.
The Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center features hands-on learning for children and adults. It is a great place to enjoy and learn about our coastal ecosystems as you attend daily educational programs or explore aquariums, exhibits, touch tanks, and a nature trail.
Ocean EcoCenter
Entering the Eco-Center you will see exhibits and galleries dedicated to protecting Florida’s coastal ecosystems. The exhibits are fun, engaging, and educational.
An Estuaries Gallery invites visitors to explore life amongst the mangroves. Estuaries are water bodies where saltwater and freshwater converge, and they are home to thousands of animal species. As we walked through the building, we learned how estuaries are essential to wildlife and what steps we can all take to save our waterways.
The 2,000 gallons of aquariums at the EcoCenter were fascinating as they celebrate our oceans and are brimming with life showcasing local fish, an octopus, and seahorses. Aquariums depict a mangrove forest, an oyster reef, and a seagrass meadow.
As you advance through the center, a visit to “Life along the Shore” features interactive displays and an aquarium modeled after the local worm reef featuring fish found in tide pools and nearshore reefs.
Rays on the Reef
One of the highlights of the Coastal Center is the Rays on the Reef Pavillion. Here you will learn about different types of rays and get the opportunity to have hands-on interaction with the rays. There are two feeding times daily where visitors can feed the sting-rays. So, after a brief lesson on the correct ways to touch the rays, we were able to wash our hands and enter. The kids all around us seemed to enjoy this attraction, but it is fun for adults too.
Children’s Activity Pavilion & Sea Star Touch Tank
Next to the Stingray Pavilion is the Children’s Activity Pavilion. Here they have hands-on activities. Directly next to the Children’s Activity Pavilion is the Sea Star Touch Tank. A volunteer guides you as you reach in and touch various sea creatures in the touch tank.
Game Fish Lagoon
Over 20 different species of fish can all be seen in Florida Oceanographic’s 750,000-gallon game fish lagoon. It’s actually a giant saltwater fish tank. We were able to see nurse sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles up close as aquarium personnel fed the lagoon residents. The staff is informative and happy to answer any questions.
Sea Turtle Pavilion
The Sea Turtle Pavilion is located on the far corner of the Game Fish Lagoon. This is an area that is home to 4 of the resident sea turtles. These turtles can no longer live in the wild. We were able to see a presentation full of information about sea turtles. We touched a turtle shell as the presenter explained the importance of the shell to the turtle.
During the summer the society offers sea turtle walks. These walks, provide an opportunity to witness a nesting loggerhead sea turtle in a safe and legal manner. The walk begins with a presentation on sea turtle biology and conservation in the Florida Oceanographic Society’s classroom. After that, you have the opportunity to go out on the beach to observe the nesting behavior of a loggerhead sea turtle.
Note: Another facility close by that is dedicated to the health and rehabilitation of sea turtles in the area is the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach. The Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s mission is to promote the conservation of ocean ecosystems with a special focus on sea turtles. Its facilities include a sea turtle hospital, a research laboratory, and exhibit areas that include live sea turtles and other coastal creatures. Currently, the center does not have any turtles in their hospital, so check their website before making the visit.
Nature Trail
A nature trail here will take you on a one-mile loop walk to the Indian River lagoon. So we took the stroll through the mangroves and hammocks. You’ll discover the native plants and animals – as well as the history – of this barrier island ecosystem. We noticed that the trail is well marked with informative signs along the route. We crossed over many boardwalks over swampy areas that thankfully kept my feet dry.
Butterfly Garden
Before we left, we wanted to walk through the butterfly garden, so we stopped and saw a few fluttering nectar feeders flying about the many flowers in this area. We sat on a bench and watched for a while before heading back to the parking lot.
How you can help!
The Florida Oceanographic Society needs your help! They are always looking for volunteers. A variety of volunteer opportunities exist at Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center for individuals 15 and older. This is a great opportunity for high school students and retired folks. If you are interested, complete an online volunteer application here. So, get involved today.
Conclude your trip to the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center with a stop at the Gift Shop, which offers aquarium-inspired goodies for guests of all ages – from the finest of gifts to cute and cuddly plush animals. You also have the ability to “Adopt an Animal here at the center.
Plan on spending a good half-day here at the Coastal Center. All the staff is very knowledgeable and really great with kids. They are willing to take the time to answer your questions and help make your visit enjoyable. If you appreciate clean water and sea life, then this is the perfect trip. Since you are in the area, grab a Publix Sub next door and head over to Santa Lucea Beach or the House of Refuge. It will be a day your family will not forget.
The Coastal Center is located at 890 Northeast Ocean Boulevard in Stuart, Fl, and is open 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Wednesday – Sunday.
Have you visited the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center? If so, what was your favorite part of the visit?
