One of the biggest draws here at the center is our ray touch tank. It’s a great place for children (and adults) to get hands-on experience with these gentle creatures with a bad name. All stingrays do have a barb - but here at Florida Oceanographic we keep the resident rays trimmed. The barb grows very similar to a finger nail. We trim them every couple of months to ensure they can’t harm our visitors if frightened.

The fish in our 750,000 gallon Game Fish Lagoon have definitely been affected by this warming and are putting on a great show during the feeding program. Along with our other ≈35 species of fish, we house 18 large cownose rays in the GFL. The rays are schooling well now and feeding near the surface, which enables very easy viewing. This is a great time to come visit the rays and spend some quality time with them before the spring breakers increase the number of visitors at our feeding programs

Volunteer at Florida Oceanographic: The volunteer program at Florida Oceanographic is successful because it attracts dedicated, enthusiastic and passionate people who live our mission. Currently, we have over 250 volunteers integrated into every aspect of the organization. Volunteers take ownership and pride in working with Florida Oceanographic and contribute thousands of hours each year.

The Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center is located on Hutchinson Island. Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon, the 57 acre parcel houses the Society's headquarters, nature trails, 750,000-gallon Game Fish Lagoon, Children's Activity Pavilion, Sea Star Touch-Tank Pavilion, Rays on the Reef Ray Pavilion and the Frances Langford Visitor's Center. With its coastal hardwood hammocks and mangrove swamp communities, the site provides excellent opportunities for education and research aimed at increasing the general knowledge of these unique environments.

The Coasters (formerly known as Young Friends) of Florida Oceanographic is a dynamic group of young adults, ages 21 through 50, engaged in activities that promote the Florida Oceanographic mission, to inspire environmental stewardship of Florida’s coastal ecosystems through education and research. Support our mission and become involved today! With your help we can prepare the youth for their role in preserving Florida's future. Not a member? That's ok. Come try us out!

Florida Oceanographic Society is a non-profit organization founded in 1964 with the mission to inspire environmental stewardship of Florida’s costal ecosystems through education and research. 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. Join us in our mission "to inspire environmental stewardship of Florida's coastal ecosystems through education and research” today.