Aquariums

Marine Science Center

Name: Marine Science Center
Address: 100 Lighthouse Dr, Ponce Inlet, FL 32127, Ponce Inlet, FL, US
Telephone: (386) 304-5545
Rating: 4.7

★★★★☆ 4.7 (2777 reviews)

📍 100 Lighthouse Dr, Ponce Inlet, FL 32127

📞 (386) 304-5545

🌐 marinesciencecenter.com

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	10 AM–4 PM
Wednesday	10 AM–4 PM
Thursday	10 AM–4 PM
Friday	10 AM–4 PM
Saturday	10 AM–4 PM
Sunday	12–4 PM

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About Marine Science Center

Small aquarium with educational programs. Aquarium/marine museum with exhibits, display tanks & rehab area for endangered/threatened animals. The Marine Science Center operates both a seabird rehabilitation hospital and a sea turtle rehabilitation hospital, serving as a dual-purpose wildlife rescue and education facility. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,777 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Nature Center
Location: Ponce Inlet, Florida
Best For: All ages
Highlights: Seabird and sea turtle rehabilitation, touch pool, nature trail, live presentations
Admission: $8 adults, $5 youth (3-12), free under 2

💡 Did You Know?

⭐The Marine Science Center operates both a seabird rehabilitation hospital and a sea turtle rehabilitation hospital, serving as a dual-purpose wildlife rescue and education facility
⭐The center features 'Raptor Row' with multiple birds of prey including a peregrine falcon and great horned owl on display
⭐Interactive experiences include a touch pool and stingray feeding area where visitors can directly interact with marine animals
⭐U.S. military veterans receive free individual admission and a $1 discount on family annual passes, with family annual passes costing only $60
⭐The Turtle Tots program provides specialized monthly educational experiences for ages 2-6 during the August-May season, requiring advance email registration

💬 What Visitors Say

💡Arrive early and check the posted daily schedule immediately upon entry to plan around live animal presentations and keeper talks, which are highlighted as major attractions that enhance the experience
💬Plan for 2-3 hours maximum visit time based on visitor feedback; the interactive exhibits (touch pool, stingray feeding, raptor row) are engaging but guests note attention spans diminish after a few hours, making it ideal for a half-day outing
💡For families with young children ages 2-6, register in advance for the Turtle Tots monthly program (August-May) by emailing turtletots@volusia.org to access specialized programming designed for this age group
💬The annual family pass at $60 provides excellent value—at standard admission rates of $8-$5 per person, a family of 4 breaks even in less than 2 visits, making it worthwhile if planning multiple visits within a year
💡Don't miss the 'raptor row' aviary and outdoor shell statues as these are frequently cited as surprising highlights that kids find particularly exciting and photo-worthy compared to typical aquarium exhibits