Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet is Packed with Hands-On Activities and Animal Encounters for Kids
If you’re looking for an affordable and genuinely engaging family outing near Orlando, the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet checks all the boxes. Located just over an hour from Central Florida, this coastal science center combines live animal encounters, indoor exhibits, outdoor exploration, and real wildlife rehabilitation into a half-day experience.
We spent about 2.5 hours exploring the Marine Science Center and paid $21 total for our family of three, making this one of the best value educational day trips we’ve done. It’s near Daytona Beach, so it’s perfect for an indoor escape near the beach. Here’s what you can discover while there.
What Families Can Expect at the Marine Science Center
The Marine Science Center is easy to navigate, with several areas that flow naturally from one to the next. Families can move at their own pace, mix indoor and outdoor experiences, and time their visit around live feedings and demonstrations.
Overall, the center includes:
- One large indoor aquarium
- An education center with learning stations
- A sea turtle hospital
- A birds of prey barn
- A seabird rehabilitation enclosure
- A nature trail and observation tower
Passing by beautiful coastal homes, I cranked up my Jimmy Buffett-inspired playlist and relaxed. I love spending time on the coast.
As soon as we arrived, I knew we were in for a treat. The grounds are natural and well-kept, and just inside the doors, the aquarium beckoned to be explored.
Indoor Aquarium Exhibits and Live Feedings
The main aquarium building is the heart of the Marine Science Center and a great place to begin your visit. Inside, kids can explore Florida marine life through well-maintained tanks featuring fish, crabs, coral, and other coastal species.
We are lucky to have many aquariums in Orlando, but the Marine Science Center offers a close-up, intimate experience compared to the bigger attractions here in town.
One of the biggest highlights for kids is the cow-nose ray feeding, offered daily at 1pm and 3pm—included in admission!
Watching the rays glide up to feed while staff explain their behavior and habitat is both entertaining and educational. My son took a short bit of convincing, so I showed him how it’s done first, then he became comfortable and excited to feed the rays.
Shortly after, at 1:30pm, we watched the seahorse feeding, which offered a quieter but equally fascinating look at these delicate animals. It wasn’t as elaborate or as much of a wow moment as feeding the rays, but the seahorse feeding is special, and a great way to show how creatures great and small adapt for survival.
Education Center With Microscopes and Reptiles
Connected to the aquarium building is the Education Center, which was a standout for our family. This indoor space feels like a mini science lab designed specifically for kids.
Here, children can:
- Use microscopes to examine shells, sand, and marine specimens
- View preserved sea life and educational displays
- See live land reptiles up close
- Learn about Florida ecosystems through hands-on exhibits
This area is especially great for curious kids who enjoy exploring details and asking questions. It’s also a perfect indoor break if you’re visiting on a hot or rainy day.
Sea Turtle Hospital
The sea turtle hospital is one of the most impactful parts of the visit. You can see rescued sea turtles swimming in rehabilitation tanks. While there, take some time to learn why they were brought to the center and how they’re being treated. It’s a more rustic facility than I envisoned, and yet it just goes to show that facilities like this one are crucial and in need of support.
One of the wonderful volunteers here spent a lovely amount of time taking an interest in my son and showing him each of the rehabilitation pools. It became a precious moment for my husband and me as we appreciated our son’s curiosity.
Birds of Prey Barn and Falcon Enrichment
Another memorable stop is the birds of prey barn, home to raptors receiving care or living permanently at the center. During our visit, we watched a peregrine falcon feeding and enrichment session, which offered an up-close look at one of the fastest birds in the world.
Staff members explain how enrichment helps keep the birds mentally and physically healthy, giving kids insight into animal care beyond what they’d typically see at a zoo.
Seabird Rehabilitation Sanctuary
The seabird enclosure provides a quieter but important learning experience. Here, families can observe pelicans and other coastal birds that are recovering or living at the center long-term.
This section helps connect the dots between the animals kids see at the beach and the real-world work being done to protect them.
Nature Trail and Observation Tower
After exploring the exhibits, we headed outside to walk the nature trail, which winds through native coastal habitat. The trail leads to an observation tower, which was smaller than I expected, but was still great to take in views of the surrounding area.
This outdoor portion is a great way for kids to stretch their legs and see how the ecosystems they’ve been learning about exist beyond the walls of the center.
Parking and Visitor Tips for Families
Parking at the Marine Science Center is straightforward and family-friendly. There is a medium-sized main parking lot, along with smaller parking areas along the road connected by a sidewalk that leads directly to the entrance.
Everything on-site is compact and walkable, making it easy to visit with young children.
After our visit, we headed 15 minutes down the road for a wonderful early dinner at Tiki Docks Port Orange. We loved being on the water and chatted about the Marine Science Center, before driving back inland to Orlando.
Marine Science Center
100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet, Fl 32127
Phone: 386-304-5545
Hours of Operation:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
General Admission Prices:
Seniors (50 +) – $7.00
Adults (13 and over) – $8.00
Youth (3 – 12) – $5.00
Youth 2 and under – FREE U.S. military veterans will receive free individual general admission to the Marine Science Center. This discount applies to the veteran’s admission only and does not extend to additional guests.
