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Marine Science Center, The
As I arrived at the center, I was immediately surprised at how natural the grounds looked. The center sits among trees and pristine land that offers a great contrast to the beach. The center takes advantage of the landscape and offers beautiful nature trails that visitors can walk through.
The Museum Science Center is also home to a sea turtle rehabilitation area. The turtle In addition to the sea turtle rehabilitation center, the center is home to the Mary Keller Seabird Rehabilitation Sanctuary. The 3,000 square feet sanctuary is home to native birds that have been injured along coastal waters. The birds are housed in large outdoor habitats, offering a great view for visitors as they walk through the grounds. Most of After spending a few hours at The Marine Science Center, I left with a new appreciation for Ponce Inlet. The center offers a great way for both visitors and locals alike to learn more about native wildlife and the marine environment of the Volusia County area. The Marine Science Center offers an educational and entertaining way to experience the natural side of Daytona Beach. ~Amanda Michael Marine Science Center 100 Lighthouse Dr., Ponce Inlet Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-4pm, Sunday: noon-4pm, closed Monday Admission: $4 Seniors, $5 Adults (age 13 and older), $2 Youths (age 3-12) 386-304-5545 |
I’ve always thought of Ponce Inlet as one of the “hidden secrets” of Daytona Beach. I’ve spent a lot of time on the beaches in the Daytona area and when I mention Ponce Inlet, many have never heard of it. Although I consider myself a frequent visitor to this somewhat unknown area, I am continuously discovering new things about it. The Marine Science Center is one of those new discoveries. Nestled in the natural wooded area of Ponce Inlet, The Marine Science Center offers a great way to enjoy an educational and informational experience while at the beach. 
The inside of the center houses various marine life exhibits that feature animals native to the Volusia County area. One of the most popular exhibits is the stingray touch pool. The touch pool gives visitors a chance to touch live stingrays and hold sea urchins. Touching a stingray was definitely something I would have never imagined doing while visiting Daytona Beach, but the opportunity is such a unique one that everyone should take advantage of it. If you are like I was and may be a little worried about touching a stingray, the barbs on the tails of the stingrays have been removed so the activity is completely safe for all ages! In addition to the touch pool, the center also features exhibits full of fish that are native to the area.
rehab houses turtles that are rescued from the coastal waters of the Volusia County area. Visitors can overlook the area where turtles stay in pools until they are well enough to return to their natural habitat. From this vantage point, we were able to learn interesting information about the rehabilitation process.
the birds are released back into the wild once they are fully rehabilitated. If the birds are badly injured and will never fully recover, they stay in the sanctuary and become part of educational exhibits hosted by the center.
