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St. Lucie County Aquarium: A Window to Florida's Marine Ecosystems

Discover Florida's underwater wonders at the St. Lucie County Aquarium, featuring the Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit in Fort Pierce.

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The St. Lucie County Aquarium, featuring the Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit, offers a glimpse into the diverse marine life of Florida's Indian River Lagoon and Atlantic Ocean. Explore living models of various ecosystems, including a vibrant coral reef, and engage with marine life through interactive touch tanks.

A brief summary to St. Lucie County Aquarium

Local tips

  • Visit during feeding time (10:30 am daily) to witness the 'feeding frenzy,' a fun and educational experience, especially for kids.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to the adjacent St. Lucie County Regional History Center for a broader understanding of the area.
  • Check the aquarium's website for special events like 'Aquarium After Dark' for a unique perspective on nocturnal marine life.
  • Take advantage of the free parking available at Museum Pointe Park, shared with the beach and history center.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The St. Lucie County Aquarium is located at 420 Seaway Drive on South Hutchinson Island. If you are near the Fort Pierce Inlet, follow Seaway Drive east. The aquarium is located within Museum Pointe Park, easily walkable from other attractions in the park.

  • Public Transport

    The City of Fort Pierce and Freebee offer a free, on-demand, 100% electric transportation service within a service zone that includes the St. Lucie County Aquarium. Download the Ride Freebee mobile app to request a ride. This service is available Thursday through Sunday.

  • Driving

    From downtown Fort Pierce, take the South Causeway Bridge (Seaway Drive) east onto Hutchinson Island. The aquarium will be on your left in Museum Pointe Park. Free parking is available on-site, shared with the beach and history center. Note that parking can be busy, especially on weekends.

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Discover more about St. Lucie County Aquarium

The St. Lucie County Aquarium, in partnership with the Smithsonian Marine Station, is dedicated to educating the public about Florida's diverse marine environments. The aquarium showcases living models of six different Florida marine and estuarine ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of preserving these intricate habitats. The aquarium's exhibits accurately represent the habitats found in the Indian River Lagoon and surrounding coastal waters. The largest display features a stunning Caribbean coral reef ecosystem. Other exhibits include seagrass, mangrove, lagoon hardbottom, and nearshore reef habitats, as well as a deepwater Oculina coral reef. Several smaller aquarium displays and microscope displays offer a glimpse into the microscopic world. A touch tank allows visitors to have an up-close encounter with local marine life. Opened in November 2001, the aquarium's main 3,000-gallon coral reef exhibit was retired from the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. Smithsonian scientists were the first to put a living model of an Atlantic coral reef ecosystem on display for the public. The 5,000-square-foot facility houses over 8,000 gallons of marine life.

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