I have several local readers that wanted to hear about what the Marine Science Center is like in Ponce Inlet, FL. I try not to get really personal about things on this blog but I figured that the local readers can benefit and then if you are out of town and have kids and want to visit somewhere this will give you an idea of what to expect.
First off if you are expecting big then don’t bother. It is not big but what they do have is great and it can be very educational depending on how much effort you put in to teach your kids.
My favorite part about it is the sea turtle hospital. They have huge tanks that they nurse the sick or injured turtles back to good health and then after they are better they let them go. There is a platform above and you can look through and see all the tanks and all the turtles in them. All the big turtles have names. We saw a bunch of little baby turtles and also several medium sized and then one huge one. Not sure what was wrong with them all but it was cool to see that they were being nursed back to good health.
The huge sea turtle
G & E looking down at the turtles
On the inside (note you don’t have to pay to see the turtles outside) you pay as you first walk in $5.00 for adults, $2.00 for youth 3-12 yrs, and 3 and under are free. They have several fish tanks with various fish and a sea horse one. They have a turtle tank and we saw them feed the turtles it just happen to be feeding time. They also have a sting ray touch pool where you can touch the sting rays. They have glass on the side of the tanks so those that are short or in a stroller can still see the animals which is nice.
Sting ray, from the side window
sting rays. little E looking at them
Picture of the inside
Another picture of the inside. The artificial reef in the back.
They also have an education room filled with information and they also had several crafts for the kids to make. Decorate an owl, paint a snake bracelet. While we were in there coloring we heard a short talk about a falcon with the lady holding the bird. Across the walkway and parking lot there are birds. Pelicans, couple of bald eagles.
two bald eagles
Like I said it isn’t huge but I don’t mind paying few dollars because I know that what they are doing for these animals is a good thing by helping them get better and letting them go again. Not all of them are let go though and if they are unable to go back in the wild they care for them, like the falcon I mentioned.
What is really great is that it is right next to the lighthouse. It is just a short drive around the corner to get to the lighthouse and you can see it from the Marine Science Center.
View of the lighthouse from the boardwalk
The website for the Marine Science center is http://www.marinesciencecenter.com
Hours are Tuesday – Saturday 10 am to 4 pm, Sunday noon to 4:00 and they are closed on Monday
Directions: Go straight down A1A and you will run right into signs for it. Beware there are cops everywhere watching your speed!
Locals have you ever been before? Did you like it? If you haven’t been do you think you are going to go? We enjoyed it and look forward to seeing the turtles again soon 
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