St. Lucie County Aquarium — Attraction in Fort Pierce

The St. Lucie County Aquarium may be small in size, but it is mighty in impact. What makes this place truly special is how well it highlights and advocates for the unique marine life and local waters that make this part of Florida so extraordinary. Every exhibit is thoughtfully put together with education in mind, and it’s an experience that’s truly enjoyable for all ages—from kids to adults.

The staff here deserves special recognition. They are not only knowledgeable but also genuinely passionate about what they do. You can tell they work hard to care for the marine life inside the aquarium while also advocating for conservation beyond its walls. Their kindness and enthusiasm make the experience even more memorable.

Another wonderful feature is that if you’re a history buff—or just curious to gain a bigger picture—you can purchase a joint ticket to the St. Lucie County Regional History Center right across the park. Visiting both helps connect the dots between the area’s natural environment and its cultural development, showing how the waterways were once vital for travel and income. Together, the two attractions give you a fuller sense of what makes this part of Florida so unique.

If you’re looking for a flashy, oversized attraction, this isn’t it. But if you want a meaningful, educational, and inspiring visit that reflects the heart of Florida’s coastal environment, the St. Lucie County Aquarium (and its neighboring history center) are absolutely...

This is a very small aquarium (5,000 square feet) but it only costs $4 to get in, $7 if you buy the combo historical tour ticket. Admission is free on the first Tuesday of every month. The aquarium is managed by the St. Lucie Board of County Commissioners and the Smithsonian Marine Station in Fort Pierce.

Inside the aquarium is the Smithsonian Marine Ecosystem exhibits which explores the Indian River Lagoon. The Indian River Lagoon stretches 156 miles from Ponce De Leon Inlet to Jupiter and contains over 3,000 different organisms. A popular exhibit is the living model of the coral reef ecosystem that was displayed in the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC for twenty years. The six aquarium tanks are models of the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. There is also a touch tank, shells, and other interactive hands on activities.

When combined with the history museum you can spend an afternoon at Museum Pointe Park. My favorite exhibit in the aquarium was the seahorse tank. There is also a small gift shop that carries marine related items. It was nice to see families members of all ages enjoying the aquarium together. If you have a love of the ocean and the creatures that inhabit it you will want to add this place to you Fort...

The aquarium is great for kids. It is right next to a cool playground, just a few steps away. The day I went, the sky, the water(which was a cool turquoise) the aquarium building, the general Cape cod style/Nantucket style of Fort Pierce was a scene out of a book. Generally, Fort Pierce feels old and broken down, but there are surprises with this side of town and the aquarium itself. We got to touch one sea creature I have never seen before, the cutest leaf looking creature which seems to be flying in the water like a dragon. If you go there, you will see it, it doesn't live for long, so don't waste time. The fish there came from within a 2 mile radius of the beach right next door. They treat them well( the fish), and they don't look glazed and bored swimming around aimlessly like in most aquariums. The price is great and staff is...