The Marine Science Center is an interactive marine rehabilitation facility and educational museum located at 100 Lighthouse Drive in Ponce Inlet, Florida. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in April 2026 and includes details on the expanded 5,000-gallon Artificial Reef Exhibit and the daily ray feeding schedules.
Quick facts
| Fact | Details |
| Opening hours | Tue to Sat 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Sun 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm (closed Mondays) |
| Ticket prices | Adult (13+): $8.00, Senior (50+): $7.00, Youth (3–12): $5.00 |
| Address | 100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet, FL 32127 |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Free on-site car park |
| Typical time needed | 1 to 2 hours |
Marine Science Center opening hours
The Marine Science Center operates six days a week, opening from Tuesday through Saturday between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, and on Sundays from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The facility is closed every Monday.
Opening hours extend slightly during the summer season. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the centre remains open until 5:00 pm. The facility closes entirely on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Marine Science Center ticket prices
General admission is highly affordable, costing $8.00 for adults aged 13 and older, and $7.00 for seniors aged 50 and over. Youth tickets for children aged three to 12 are $5.00, while children aged two and under enter for free. US military veterans receive free individual admission.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in April 2026.
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- ⛵ Spot sea creatures under sail on a catamaran cruise.
- 🔥 See extraordinary fire and knife dances at the Polynesian Fire and Dinner Show.
- 🌿 Learn about Blue Spring State Park’s nature and ecosystem on a St John’s River cruise.
How to get to the Marine Science Center
The centre is located near the southern tip of the Ponce Inlet peninsula, approximately a 20-minute drive south of Daytona Beach. Driving is the most practical transport method, as visitors can follow South Atlantic Avenue (Highway A1A) directly into the town and turn onto Lighthouse Drive.
Public transport options are limited in this area. While the local Votran bus service covers the wider Daytona region, reaching the specific entrance usually requires a private vehicle, taxi, or rideshare service.
Parking at the Marine Science Center
Visitors can use the dedicated car park located immediately off Lighthouse Drive, directly in front of the main entrance. Parking is free for all guests visiting the facility.
If the primary lot reaches capacity, there is designated overflow parking available on the south side of Lighthouse Drive.
How long to spend at the Marine Science Center
A standard visit to the Marine Science Center requires one to two hours. This provides enough time to walk the Bird Boardwalk, view the sea turtle hospital pools, and interact with the indoor exhibits.
Visitors who plan to attend a scheduled stingray feeding, walk the outdoor nature trail, or climb the observation tower should allocate an additional 45 minutes to their itinerary.
Accessibility at the Marine Science Center
The indoor exhibition hall, the Turtle Terrace, and the Mary Keller Seabird Sanctuary are fully accessible for wheelchair users and those with pushchairs, featuring flat concrete pathways and wide wooden boardwalks.
Accessible restrooms are available inside the main building, and the outdoor nature trail consists of compacted materials, though the observation tower requires climbing stairs.
Inside / what to see at the Marine Science Center
The facility functions as a working animal hospital alongside its public educational exhibits. At the Turtle Terrace, visitors can look down into eight hospital pools to observe rehabilitating sea turtles, hatchlings, and “washbacks” recovering before their eventual release into the ocean.
The Mary Keller Seabird Rehabilitation Sanctuary features a wooden Bird Boardwalk where guests can view injured brown pelicans, owls, and other native birds that cannot be released back into the wild.
Inside the 5,000-square-foot visitor centre, the focal point is the Artificial Reef Exhibit. This 5,000-gallon aquarium features a replica of a sunken ship, demonstrating how Volusia County transforms retired vessels into thriving marine habitats. Adjacent to this is the Working Coral Lab, where staff conduct real-time conservation experiments on living corals.
The interactive Touch Pool is a 1,400-gallon tank housing cownose rays, Atlantic stingrays, and horseshoe crabs. Visitors can gently touch the animals and assist with daily feedings scheduled at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip Category | Advice |
| Timing | Align your visit with one of the daily Touch Pool feedings (11:00 am, 1:00 pm, or 3:00 pm) for a hands-on experience. |
| Crowds | Arrive shortly after opening on a weekday to avoid the larger school groups and summer camp tours. |
| Layout | Start with the outdoor hospital areas (Turtle Terrace and Bird Boardwalk) before moving into the air-conditioned indoor exhibits. |
| Entry process | Walk-up admission is the standard process; tickets are purchased directly at the front desk upon arrival. |
| On-site logistics | Wash your hands thoroughly at the provided sanitisation stations before and after interacting with the animals at the Touch Pool. |
Frequently asked questions about the Marine Science Center
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Marine Science Center suitable for children? | Yes, the centre is highly family-friendly, featuring touch tanks, visual displays, and daily educational presentations. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Marine Science Center? | Advance booking is not required for general admission, though it is necessary for large educational groups. |
| Is the Marine Science Center open on Sundays? | Yes, the centre is open on Sundays with slightly reduced hours, operating from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm (or 5:00 pm in summer). |
| Are bags allowed at the Marine Science Center? | Small day bags are permitted, but visitors are asked to be mindful of space around the narrow indoor aquariums. |
Things to do near the Marine Science Center
- Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse: A towering, 175-foot historic brick lighthouse located just steps away from the science centre.
- Lighthouse Point Park: An 87-acre coastal park featuring nature trails, a swimming beach, and an 800-foot rock jetty extending into the ocean.
- Ponce Preserve: A large, 41-acre park offering hiking trails that stretch from the Atlantic Ocean to the Halifax River.
- Daytona Beach Boardwalk: A historic seaside entertainment district located a 20-minute drive north, featuring arcades and rides.
- Museum of Arts & Sciences: A cultural complex in Daytona Beach housing a planetarium, regional art, and historical exhibits.
More Florida travel
Other Florida travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- First time visitor’s guides to the Castillo de San Marcos, Fort Matanzas and Mission Nombre de Dios in St Augustine.
- What to expect at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park in St Augustine.
- The highlights of Anastasia State Park in St Augustine.
- Visitor guides to the Lightner Museum, Old Jail, St Augustine History Museum, St Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum and Oldest Store Museum Experience in St Augustine.
- What you need to know before visiting the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens in Ormond Beach.
