Smithsonian Marine Station

The Smithsonian Marine Station is a satellite research facility under the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History. A fixture in the Fort Pierce community for over 50 years, the Marine Station is dedicated to understanding the character and diversity of the marine and estuarine habitats of Florida. In 2001, the Smithsonian Marine Station partnered with St. Lucie County to create the St. Lucie County Aquarium featuring the Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit. Aquarium visitors can explore six different Florida marine and estuarine habitats and learn about the complexity and importance of marine ecosystems; no snorkel needed! The largest display is a 2,500 gallon living model of a Caribbean coral reef ecosystem. Additional model ecosystem aquarium displays feature a seagrass bed, red mangrove habitat, estuarine and nearshore reef habitats and a deepwater Oculina banks coral reef that is unique to the central east coast of Florida. Additional smaller aquarium displays and a variety of interactives provide visitors with a unique look into our underwater world. of course, the touch tank exhibit where you can meet some local sea creatures and receive a manicure at peppermint shrimp cleaning stations, is always a favorite among visitors.