marine science center

An informative and entertaining center dedicated to helping turtles and other creatures. Took the bus from Daytona Beach, then walked to the Ponce De Leon Lighthouse from the Marine Science Center- a nice day trip.

I am having a hard time reviewing this center. The tanks they have are filled with amazing looking creatures. There are people there to educate visitors and feed the fish. We got to see the eel get fed, another fish I don't remember, the sting rays, and the octopus in our short visit. We must have gotten there just in time to see this all this activity. Seeing the octopus get feed was pretty awesome! We also got to look down on the turtles in the sick area and read about their current, and some past, patients. My son is only 1.5 years old. His attention span is what you would expect of a child that age and didn't want to sit and see the animals be fed. SO here is my struggle. The site is literally 2 rooms. (There is a bird sanctuary too but it was small and part was closed during our visit) There is a few tanks as I said filled with some cool things. My child's attention span would have had us through the center in 20 minutes or less if allowed. There is a small fee for each adult it was $5 and I don't remember the children's fee as our child under 2 was free. I love that they have this and can help the sick animals! So I believe it is worth it assuming the admission is helping fund the sick animals stay. It appears the best way to tour the center was with a group of school age children, they got a guided tour and got to take in far more then we did on our own. :)I wanted to make this review so someone else can go too and make their own opinion but be fully aware of how small the center is and the fee charged but it can be a learning experience for children. (school age children. Ours was a bit young although he did like to see the fish and turtles)

I come to Daytona almost every year for about ten years now and have never came here. I'm really glad I did. I got there around 11:00 and it was close to feeding time. Loved feeding the Rays they are so soft to touch. Got to see the octopus come out of his hideout to feed. Saw a turtle getting a check up and saw a turtle being brought in from Saint Augustine that had been injured. It's right down at Ponce Inlet next to the Light House. Also the bird rehabilitation center is there also and its part of the facility. You must check it out

If was very small but the work they're doing there is wonderful. Fun to watch through a window as they're tendy to sick animals!

I was so glad that I stopped in here! They do a wonderful job of educating visitors on the different marine life that they have. I loved the sting ray petting pool and spent the better part of my visit there! You can walk down a lovely path to the bird rescue as well as taking other paths through the beautiful "jungle" to a lookout tower.

This is a turtle rescue center, so there are large tanks with recovering sea turtles. I was a little disappointed last year because they have rearranged it so that you have to pay admission to view the turtles. We have been going for years and the turtles used to be outside, so anyone could view them. We always frequent the gift shop. We have gone into the center, once. It is not something you would need to do more than once. There is also a bird sanctuary on the other side of the park. While it was always free, it also looked like they were setting it up to charge admission. Again, the kids loved seeing the turtles and the birds. Not sure if we will continue to go back if we have to pay to see everything.

Very small facility, some tanks with fish and turtles. You can pet and feed sting rays. Enjoyed our visit, but you can tour the place in less than 1 hour.

It's a small attraction that mainly will appeal to someone with small children, or a couple just looking to kill an hour or so. We enjoyed it. It was well maintained, and interesting for us. It;s a time killer, and you are supporting the local rescue efforts. I would recommend.

The Marine center is a nice inexpensive place to visit. The volunteers there are very knowledgeable and pleasant. A lot of cool stuff to see. If you are in the area make sure you stop in see this place.

Although a small facility it was very nice. There was plenty to interest kids and grownups alike. The staff and volunteers were helpful and knowledgeable.

This was a very cool experience. From petting Stingrays, watching the rehabilitation team work with the turtles, to hearing a read-tail hawk that was being rehabilitated call out, everything was very interesting and neat to see. What a nice educational experience for a very low price. The staff was friendly and educational. Highly recommend a visit to the Marine Science Center.

Excellent displays and interactions. Enjoyed feeding the manta rays and looking through the ICU window at staff treating ill and injured turtles. Very educational and enjoyable. Nice gift items to take home and for gifts. Will return!j

We stumbled on this when we had some extra time and were really happy that we did. Lots to do for children though we did not have any. Much hands on which was enjoyable for all ages. Lecture on owls and flying predators was great--more adults than kids but again good for all ages. Loved to see the corals etc moving -- great videos!

This is not a big exhibit, but it was hands on with a Manta feeding program that encouraged children to participate. The volunteers explain all of the exhibits and you can watch the sea turtles who are being rehabilitated. There is an additional outdoor exhibit of wild birds who are being treated/rehabilitated. Free parking.

My husband and I are in our mid-twenty's, and we enjoyed it here a lot! We also learned a lot of stuff that we didn't know! For a cheap price this gave us some nice entertainment for a little while!