Sandoway Discovery Center: Delray Beach’s Hidden Marine Laboratory

Nestled in a charming 1936 beachfront residence on South Ocean Boulevard, the Sandoway Discovery Center offers a captivating dive into South Florida’s coastal ecosystems. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the J.B. Evans House, this historic landmark was lovingly transformed in 1998 into an interactive nature center that blends architectural heritage with environmental education Sandoway Discovery Center+12Wikipedia+12WhichMuseum+12.

What You’ll Discover

• Coral Reef Pool & Aquarium
  A 15,000-gallon saltwater reef pool is home to nurse sharks, rays, and reef fish, with daily feedings at 1 pm (plus an 11 am session Saturdays) Sandoway Discovery Center+5Sandoway Discovery Center+5WhichMuseum+5Sandoway Discovery Center+3Sandoway Discovery Center+3Salt Family Travels+3.

• Stingray Touch Tank
  Rehabilitated in 2023, this interactive experience lets visitors safely pet rescued rays like cownose and bamboo sharks Wikipedia+11Sandoway Discovery Center+11Sandoway Discovery Center+11Salt Family Travels.

• Nocturnal & Reptile Exhibits
  Highlights include live reptiles, axolotls, opossums, owls, and a room dedicated to Florida’s night creatures Great Locations+14Sandoway Discovery Center+14Sandoway Discovery Center+14.

• Shell Gallery
  The Yvonne S. Templeton Shell Gallery showcases over 3,000 of the Southeast’s finest shells, from a 10,000-piece collection Sandoway Discovery Center+1Sandoway Discovery Center+1.

• Children’s Activity Room & Observation Deck
  Upstairs features a microscope station, reading nook, butterfly exhibits, and a second‑story deck overlooking the Atlantic Sandoway Discovery Center+4Sandoway Discovery Center+4Coast2CoastWithKids+4.

Programs & Community Engagement

Ideal for families and educators, the Center runs educational field trips, outreach programs on insects, sea turtles, plants, and birds, along with regular beach clean-ups and Earth Day events Sandoway Discovery Center+1Sandoway Discovery Center+1. School groups benefit from STEM-based lessons and customizable lesson plans.

Visitors can interact closely with the animal ambassadors during live sessions—coral reef feeding (2 pm) and 3 pm animal encounters bring education to life Sandoway Discovery Center+13Sandoway Discovery Center+13Sandoway Discovery Center+13.

Visiting & Practical Info

• Hours: Tues–Fri & Sun: 12–4 pm; Sat: 10 am–4 pm; closed Mon downtowndelraybeach.com.

• Admission: $10 per person (ages 3+), with member discounts downtowndelraybeach.com+1Great Locations+1.

• Parking: Free but limited on-site spaces; metered street parking nearby Great Locations.

• Accessibility: First floor and outdoor areas are wheelchair accessible downtowndelraybeach.com+12Coast2CoastWithKids+12Great Locations+12.

Why It Matters

Combining conservation, education, and conservation outreach, Sandoway is more than a museum—it’s a hands-on lab for coastal understanding. It engages visitors in the fragile balance of Florida’s marine ecosystems—turning curiosity into conservation.

Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, educator, or family looking for a meaningful outing, Sandoway Discovery Center delivers history, science, and hands-on discovery in a petite beachfront setting.