Marine Science Center
100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet, FL
Phone 386-304-5545
www.marinesciencecenter.com/
The Marine Science Center does not get nearly the attention it should! There are lots of places, especially here in Florida, that rescue and teach about sea and sky creatures, but MSC takes it a step above.
The entrance fee is only $8.00 and below, pets are not allowed…but children are encouraged.
The Mary Keller Seabird Rehabilition Sanctuary is a fully functioning animal hospital. They treat around 1,100 sick and injured birds every year. They try to release every one they can, but some would not make it on their own and can be viewed as you stroll the boardwalk.
The staff is very knowledgeable and adept at rescuing turtles, tortoises and most other wild life, (visit the website for phone numbers to call if you find an injured or sick animal), and also have included the ones that cannot be returned to the wild in the many things there are to see and do.
Myself and everyone I’ve spoken to did not know there is an artificial reef less than a mile off Daytona Beach! How great…
MSC has a 5,000-gallon salt water tank filled with reef dwellers so us non-divers can view those beautiful creatures up close. They also have training sessions for volunteer divers to learn to identify sea life and collect data.
MSC has rescued and cared for more than 27,000 sea turtles, hatchlings freshwater turtles and snakes. Many of these and more are available for viewing and touching in the touch tank, with feedings throughout the day; feedings in the natural reef tank, including seahorses and lionfish, jetty and estuary exhibits. I loved watching a couple of little ones seeing live colorful fish and actually touching a live ray for the first time. I’m still smiling and I hope they are, too.
There is so much to see and do! My intrepid adventure buddy and I enjoyed much more time than we had planned, so I would advise setting aside a whole morning, (I would say afternoon, but it IS Florida in the summertime), just to meander. There are most exhibits that allow you to escape the sun and still enjoy wildlife.
The drive is a short hour and very well worth it. You can finish up the day with the return trip down U.S. 1 and a stop for ice cream… a perfect day.
As always, please take only pictures, leave only footprints. Bring sunscreen and insect repellent just in case.
