FAU Harbor Branch Ocean Discovery Visitors Center — Attraction in Florida

As someone who has always been interested in the marine environment, I was amazed to hear about all of the different research being conducted here at Harbor Branch. The Visitors Center is focused entirely on explaining the all of the work that the scientists are doing at this amazing institute. The best part of this experience is the guided tour of the exhibits. A graduate student at the university is responsible for walking the guests through center and interpreting the information as well as answering all questions. My favorite exhibit was probably the aquaculture pavilion which showcased their Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture system (IMTA). This system allowed redfish, sea asparagus, sea purselane, red mangroves, algae and sea urchins to all grow in the same body of water! As an aquarium hobbyist this system was very exciting to me! I would recommend this experience to anyone who is interested in science, research and the marine environment (especially the Indian River Lagoon). Also if you get the chance to go on the Immersion Tour of campus, take it. The campus is beautiful and is a great opportunity to see a historic and very influential...

If you happen to be in the Fort Pierce area including Port St Lucie and have an interest in marine. or birdlife, check out this activity. It is sponsored by Florida Atlantic University and this little gem is tucked away at thier reseach facility in Harbor Branch. Our guide Sam had a masters degree in marine biology and was a funny and knowledgeable person. She was part of a 4 person crew that takes you out on the lagoon for an hour and a half cruise. The large pontoon boat is covered and bug spray wasn’t necessary. They have tablets behind the seats that she uses to educate and show pictures of wildlife (including a small ROV) and even a hydrophone to hear porpoise. There was only one other person from out of state so I suspect this is not well known out of the local area. There are about 4or five steps down to the boat with a handrail. I believe it is only offered...

This eco pontoon tour was a real treat for my high schooler and me! Our tour guide Sam was the real deal — very knowledgeable but also explained all the science really well and patiently answered our questions. The underwater drone was so cute! And we felt lucky to see dolphins and a great variety of birds in their natural habitat. I was also impressed with the quality of the exhibits in the discovery center, and it was small enough to go through quickly. We did the pontoon tour then sandwiches and then the discovery center, but other passengers from our pontoon tour were in and out of the discovery center before we had finished...