Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center

Miss Cupcake invited a couple of her dearest little friends to join her at the Florida Oceanopgraphy Coastal Center for a morning playdate. This was such a pleasant and educational experience!

Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center is a 57-acre marine life nature center located on Hutchinson Island in Stuart, FL situated between the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean. As a leading state and nationally recognized environmental organization, Florida Oceanographic offers EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS to people of all ages and conducts RESEARCH and RESTORATION programs that lead to healthy coastal ecosystems.

We began by exploring the Exhibit Hall which was filled with aquariums, the Bathtub Beach Exhibit, the Raven Sound Analysis Exhibit, Water Quality Exhibit and lots of fun extras for the littles ones.

They quickly found the art table and had a fabulous time creating their masterpieces.

Next, we ventured outside where we were greeted by stingrays.

Guests of all ages were able to enjoy the opportunity of feeding the resident stingrays during the daily feeling program. We all loved this interactive experience.

Touching the stingrays was definitely Miss Cupcake's favorite part of the day!

The up-close encounters were enjoyed by all!

Several fun play areas were scattered around for the little ones.

The large sculptures made great photo-ops.

Miss Cupcake enjoyed chasing her friends around the gorgeous butterfly garden.

The Game Fish Lagoon allowed visitors to watch as fish, sharks, turtles and rays were being fed.

Two nature trails meander through the property. The longest loop is 1 mile and takes visitors through the mangroves, hardwood hammocks and down to the Indian River Lagoon for a spectacular view of the waterway. The shorter loop is 1/3 of a mile and strays to the interior with information signage about local flora and fauna.