Partnering with Marine Exploration Center means more than beautiful aquariums, your support contributes to our educational initiatives and outreach programs. With our customized educational displays, materials, and programs, your location becomes another avenue for public education!
To enhance the public's understanding of the value and fragility of the local and global marine environment through research, education and personal experiences.
Marine Exploration Center, formerly Pier Aquarium Inc., was founded in 1988 at The Pier in downtown St. Petersburg to highlight and showcase the major marine research being conducted by local scientists. It existed as a 2,000 sq. ft. facility housed on the second floor and was bursting at the seams with live fish exhibits, displays and award winning family programming. Since the closure of the old pier in 2013, Pier Aquarium Inc. sought a new direction. As the St. Petersburg Marine Exploration Center, we now partner with local organizations and businesses to provide inspiring aquarium displays and marine science education. We combine beautiful aquaria and custom educational content to engage and inspire.
Living exhibits: Atlantic Ocean tank, Invertebrates Tank, Pacific Ocean Tank, Pacific Coral Tank, Touch Tanks (echinoderms, sharks, lobsters), Sea horse tank plus three cylindrical tanks in the first floor lobby of The Pier.
We have more than 200 books and magazines about marine life. Many are for children and are books of fiction. Visitors can read books at our quarterly Book Nook by the Bay events.
Private Non-Profit
A community marine education center and private, non-profit aquarium located on the waterfront in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. Closed on Christmas Day,Dec. 25.
Our Touch Tank Experience and Fish Feeding (guests are invited to help) is from 1-4pm daily.