Florida Oceanographic Society | Stuart, Florida

Yesterday, we spent the day at the Florida Oceanographic Society, located in Stuart, Florida. The Florida Oceanographic Society is a no-profit organization with the mission of inspiring environmental stewardship of Florida's coastal ecosystems through education and research.

The Florida Oceanographic Society is a 57-acre marine life nature center located on Hutchinson Island. They have a fantastic collection of sea turtles, sting rays, nurse sharks, fish and birds.

We spent part of the afternoon watching their 10-month of green sea turtle cruise around in his tank and the octopus (that was saved from a crab trap) as he climbed around in his tank. Then, we ventured outside to the large touch tanks where we were able to touch and feed sting rays, manta rays, horseshoe crabs, starfish, sea urchins and sea cucumbers.

Then, it was off for an hour long hike through the nature paths, stopping along the way to check out the fiddler crabs and blue crabs that crossed our paths. And of course, Mr. Sweet Greens and Eben had to stop and check out any living creatures along the coastline.

The remainder of the afternoon was spent watching the large marine animals (sea turtles, nurse sharks and assorted fish) being feed, followed by quietly observing a tiny mother Killdeer sitting on her nest. She was so dedicated and didn't budge when we experienced a five minute downpour! Fantastic. Can you find her?

Eben said that this was his favorite Florida adventure to date and can't wait to go back. If you are visiting the treasure coast or happen to live within driving distance, I highly recommend planning to spend the day at the Florida Oceanographic Society learning about our fantastic waters and the creatures that inhabit them. I am looking into their summer camp for Eben too! You can also support the Florida Oceanographic Society here.

Florida Oceanography Society
890 Northeast Ocean Boulevard
Stuart, Florida

772-225-0505