DAILY PROGRAMS

There’s so much to discover!

You don’t have to be a marine biologist to study the sea! At the Discovery Center, we offer a variety of fun, family-friendly programs to feed your curiosity about Tampa Bay’s unique ecosystem, the global ocean, and the wonders of the natural world. Listen to a free tank talk, sign up for a lionfish dissection, make art with us, or contribute to valuable citizen science projects – there’s something on our schedule for everyone. And if you don’t see exactly what you’re looking for, our education team can customize a private program just for you.

Explore the calendar below to find out what’s happening at our facility on the St. Pete Pier and register for upcoming activities. You’ll find descriptions of each individual program farther down this page. Visit our wildlife boat tour page to learn more about special events on our 45-foot catamaran, The Discovery.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact education@tampabaywatch.org. We’re happy to help.

Serving up free education daily!

Weather permitting, our enthusiastic educators take their teaching outside. Stop by our location on the St. Pete Pier to enjoy learning about some of our favorite Tampa Bay topics! You might peer through our microscope to observe plankton pulled from under the Pier, touch artifacts collected from the ocean, or create a craft. It’s an ever-changing rotation of information that’s fun for the whole family. Schedule varies.
Our tanks are inhabited by a hungry cast of characters! Watch them enjoy their lunch with a side of learning during one of our daily feedings. Our knowledgeable team will tell you everything they know about the animals in our care and the special roles they play in the Tampa Bay estuary. Included with admission ticket.
Seahorse Supper: Have you ever watched a seahorse slurp? It’s a must-see! Our hungry seahorses eat three times a day at 10:15 AM, 2:00 PM, and 4:15 PM.
Terrapin Feeding: Our diamondback terrapins have big appetites and big personalities. Watch them dine and play with their enrichment toys at 1:00 PM (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday).
Frog and Toad Feeding: Hop on over to meet our frogs and toads! Learn about their fascinating adaptations and watch them enjoy feeding time at 1:00 PM (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday).
Meet a Mangrove: Discover life among the roots. Mangroves provide habitat and protection for thousands of species. Let us tell you about a few of them, then observe as our mangrove tank residents chow down on their midday snack at 3:00 PM.
Are you looking for a deeper dive into the Tampa Bay ecosystem? A more thorough understanding of the local environment, the species on display at the Discovery Center, and how our work impacts the ocean can be gleaned from a docent or staff led tour. Guided tours are available upon request, ask at the front desk for more information.

Affordable, entertaining, and fun for everyone.

For a small fee, you can attend an exciting, hands-on session in our classroom. Explore the threats posed by invasive lionfish, find out why a squid squirts ink, or treat your young ocean explorer to an age-appropriate interactive lesson on their favorite subject. Our wildlife boat also offers a variety of learning opportunities.

For assistance with registration, email education@tampabaywatch.org.

Join us for an exciting lionfish dissection in our classroom. Learn how this beautiful invader threatens our ecosystem, and examine its stomach contents to find out which bay species it has been snacking on. All lionfish specimens are harvested as part of invasive species removal programs in Florida and donated to us.
- $10 per person, includes Discovery Center admission
- All dissection guests must purchase a ticket to enter the classroom
- All guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Lionfish specimens are collected during invasive lionfish tournaments and generously donated by the Emerald Coast Open out of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Additional lionfish are donated by Salatino Seafood.
What makes a mollusc a mollusc? During this hands-on squid dissection, you’ll find out! Participants will learn about the wide variety of molluscs found in our region and what sets them apart from other animals. This program is held in our indoor classroom and space is limited.
- $10 per person, includes Discovery Center admission
- All dissection guests must purchase a ticket to enter the classroom
- All guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Squid specimens are generously donated by Aylesworth’s Fish & Bait.
The Discovery Center’s education team specializes in developing sustainable dissections that reuse research specimens, feature invasive species, and contribute data to local studies. Pull on your gloves and experience hands-on learning at its very best!
- Pricing and suggested age range varies, please see calendar for details
- All dissection guests must purchase a ticket to enter the classroom
- All guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Invasive iguana specimens are generously donated by Down Goes Iguana.
- Shark specimens are generously donated by Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.

This program is for the youngest ocean explorers. Bay Babies is designed for 3 to 6 year olds monthly in our indoor classroom. Each session may include story time, crafts, activities, and animal interactions to keep your little one(s) engaged and excited. Children must have an accompanying adult in the classroom. Due to space constraints, only one adult per child is allowed.
- $10 per child (ages 2-6), children must be accompanied by an adult, includes Discovery Center admission
- Program is free for siblings under the age of 2
Immerse yourself in an artistic happy hour inspired by our unique estuary ecosystem. Enjoy light refreshments and snacks, observe the Discovery Center’s animals, and bring them to life on your very own canvas. It’s the perfect fusion of art, science, and fun.
- Pricing and suggested age range varies based on art piece, please see calendar for details.
The St. Pete Pier offers so much for visitors to enjoy – but humans aren’t the only ones who can be found soaking up the sun! Join our walking tour to experience the city’s best sightseeing destination through the eyes of a biologist. Participate in real research while our educators introduce the plants and animals that call the Discovery Center’s surroundings home.
- $20 per person, includes Discovery Center admission
- Program is free for children under the age of 3