The Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach Florida

Volusia County residents are lucky to have the Marine Discovery Center. The center is located just before the bridge that leads to Flagler Avenue beachside, at 162 North Causeway in New Smyrna Beach. Learning about the Indian River Lagoon and the local marine life is not just educational, but fun. The Marine Discovery Center gives eco-tours of the Indian River. People climb on board a forty passenger pontoon boat that goes around the lagoon, which includes wonderfully narrated events by naturalist tour guides familiar with the area and encountered wildlife. They also do kayak eco-adventure tours, which is a fun way to learn basic kayak instruction for both adults and children.

To the local population of New Smyrna Beach and surrounding areas, the Marine Discovery Center is recreational as well, but they are also accomplishing rehabilitation of the indigenous species of Florida, helping to preserve through conservation and education. They rehabilitate sea turtles, which are prone to many misfortunes out at sea, from boat propellers, unfortunate for the manatee as well, to sea-turtle disease.

One can spot all kinds of natural wildlife in and around the Indian River Lagoon, including some of the rehabilitated sea turtles, if you are lucky. These are rare creatures, especially the larger ones that usually swim in the ocean. I had an interesting experience when I first moved to New Smyrna Beach, before I ever knew about the Marine Discovery Center and their work with marine life.

I was standing on the fishing dock at Riverside Park, which is situated south, not far at all from the Marine Discovery Center on the Indian River, located off of Canal Street. It was an extraordinarily beautiful day, the skies a particular shade of blue that is hard to forget. The water was calm that day, and the velvety breezes that New Smyrna Beach is famous for was invigorating.