Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center
Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Situated between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center is a 57-acre, marine life nature center offering educational programs to visitors of all ages that teach the importance of environmental stewardship. Guests to the Coastal Center can interact with stingrays and local invertebrate species, attend daily programs that teach about local gamefish, sharks, and sea turtles, and explore the new Ocean EcoCenter, a state-of-the-art facility that includes interactive exhibits and 2,000+ gallons of aquariums. Join us in our mission "to inspire environmental stewardship of Florida's coastal ecosystems through education, research and advocacy” today.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
Features animals
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Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
32 within 5 kms
Attractions
40 within 10 kms
See what other travelers are saying
- Sharon VChattanooga, Tennessee7 contributionsAn Enjoyable OutingOn a blustery day we 5 adults 2 children visited this center. Conservation was stressed throughout our visit, Informing & delighting us with nature. The children’s activities are imaginative & hands on. Take your time & enjoy. Do not hesitate to take the nature walk!Visited April 2021Traveled with familyWritten April 24, 2021
- Miles ArcherBoca Raton, Florida7,606 contributionsCLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH STING RAYS AND SEA TURTLESGood for kids and for adults who don't scuba dive. Here you get to see the sting rays being fed, and gamefish being fed. There's also sea turtles feedings. There were kids here when I came. Covid protocols are not in force. Each visitor decides whether to wear a mask and whether to maintain social distancing. Adults are charged $16. Kids under twelve are changed half price. The facility isn't open on certain days.Visited April 2022Traveled soloWritten April 9, 2022
- Travel3Kids92 contributionsFun and EducationalThis was a great place to spend a few hours in the Stuart area. We arrived right at opening and were able to touch the stingrays before the feeding talk at 10:30. If you arrive early enough before the feeding, you can feed the stingrays. The stingray talk is followed by talks on game fish and turtles. Both were well done and provided lots of interesting information. There is also a touch area for some other sea creatures along with an exhibit area with some smaller tanks. There is a one mile walk out to the Indian River Estuary through the mangroves which was also interesting. We spend about three hours here and had a great time. The price is very reasonable and there are no extra fees once you enter. The kids around us seemed to be having a great time.Visited February 2023Traveled with familyWritten February 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
721 reviews
Excellent
461
Very good
193
Average
56
Poor
7
Terrible
4
SueMe1962
Coral Springs, FL34 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We are a family of seven and we booked a private tour on the day the center was closed. What a great time we had getting to feed the rays and the fish. It is a much bigger place than you realize and you could easily go back and do other things that you didn't get to on the tour so take advantage of the membership they give you with the tour.
Written 20 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin D
5 contributions
May 2023
Wonderful visit. The stingray tank and the lagoon with the turtle talk was very informative! Would highly recommend as it was both fun and educational.
Written 21 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen F
10 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Really for children . We went 2 seniors and while it was nice we’d never do it again because it is for young children. Place is gorgeous in the pavilion. So clean and few children were we wound up.
Beautiful gift shop full of families and children crying a LOT because they want everything.
Staff super nice. We paid under $17 each and felt it was a donation. Didn’t really get anything out of it.
Beautiful gift shop full of families and children crying a LOT because they want everything.
Staff super nice. We paid under $17 each and felt it was a donation. Didn’t really get anything out of it.
Written 8 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Starviagera
Florida2,115 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Interesting small place. The trails were close more than an hour before not to inconvenience the staff, but the price was the same. Children will have a good time here, adults not so much!
Written 16 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie M
Kimbe, Papua New Guinea5 contributions
Mar 2023
We loving visiting the Oceanographic Coastal Center and feeding the stingrays. Great for kids and a great picnic spot on the third floor overlooking the lagoon.
Written 10 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diana F
2 contributions
Feb 2023
Kids loved feeding the stingrays and learning about them. The staff is very knowledgeable and showed a great deal of concern for the animals in their care. Great for all ages.
Written 25 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ginger B
Patchogue, NY61 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
Very nice place to go
We fed the stingrays
Certain times to do that though check the schedule
Very informative
Nice grounds to walk around..
Things for kids too!
People that work there Very nice!
We fed the stingrays
Certain times to do that though check the schedule
Very informative
Nice grounds to walk around..
Things for kids too!
People that work there Very nice!
Written 13 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel3Kids
92 contributions
Feb 2023 • Family
This was a great place to spend a few hours in the Stuart area. We arrived right at opening and were able to touch the stingrays before the feeding talk at 10:30. If you arrive early enough before the feeding, you can feed the stingrays. The stingray talk is followed by talks on game fish and turtles. Both were well done and provided lots of interesting information. There is also a touch area for some other sea creatures along with an exhibit area with some smaller tanks. There is a one mile walk out to the Indian River Estuary through the mangroves which was also interesting. We spend about three hours here and had a great time. The price is very reasonable and there are no extra fees once you enter. The kids around us seemed to be having a great time.
Written 12 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phantasmus
United States529 contributions
Dec 2022
A lovely place for a relaxing day out. Right by the beach, shops, and the Elliott Museum, so in a very convenient spot. The highlight for me was that you get to feed some rays by hand. Be sure to bring a lot of bug spray if you go on the nature trail behind the center.
Written 26 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sumit C
Boca Raton, FL6 contributions
Oct 2022
We spent a very nice morning here. There were three exhibits of rays and the like, and a very good-sized lagoon with many different fish. My only regret was we left without walking on their nature trails.
Written 10 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How much per person to get in?
Linda H
High Springs, FL72 contributions
$12 for adults, 3-6 $6., under 3 free
John D
Belmont, NC2 contributions
Would you recommend taking our 15-month old daughter?
Ebelle66
Montgomery, AL51 contributions
Probably not. There are several hands-on exhibits which my grandchildren loved, but they are older. There is plenty of space to walk around and enjoy nature, but I don't necessarily think a 15 month old would get much from this.
is this accessible for a senior with walker?
Where-2-go-4-help
West Palm Beach, FL1,548 contributions
Yes, there's a small ramp with long attached handrails. There's plenty of shades benches throughout the property.
RichieRich164
Stuart, FL2 contributions
What is best time to visit?
toni g
Connecticut41 contributions
Check the website and time ur visit to take advantage of talks and tank program. In between there's plenty to see, staff is great.
Mary M
Orleans, MA14 contributions
What is cost per person? Is there a senior fee?
nature+surf
American in Costa Rica457 contributions
Hi, the adult fee is $12, kids 3-12 are $6, and under 3 are free. I am not sure about senior discounts. Our family is a member, so we can go anytime with no charge. You can get a membership with a donation (there is a minimum amount), but it helps the center and is a great reason to go over and over again with the kids.
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Claim your listingFLORIDA OCEANOGRAPHIC COASTAL CENTER: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center
- Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center is open:
- Wed - Sun 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Hotels near Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center:
- (0.49 km) Amazing 2BR/BA on Hutchinson Island steps away from the beach
- (0.49 km) Fabulous Chic Hutchinson Island Condo Getaway. Enjoy the island/ocean breeze
- (0.68 km) Marriott Hutchinson Island Beach Resort, Golf & Marina
- (0.60 km) Sunshine Haven: Renovated 2-Bedroom Condo
- (1.01 km) Plantation Beach Club at Indian River
- Restaurants near Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center:
- (0.11 km) Seaside Café
- (0.42 km) Ital Bowls
- (0.71 km) Baha Grille
- (0.52 km) Hutchinson Island Pantry
- (0.70 km) Latitudes Tiki Bar