Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center

Enter Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center and take a journey into the world of the native plants and animals of the Keys, both on land and underwater. Leave with an increased awareness and appreciation of the need to protect and conserve ecosystems of South Florida. The Center features over 6,000 square feet of interactive and dynamic exhibits including a mock-up of Aquarius, the world's only underwater ocean laboratory.

Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04

Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04

Arriving from the north: Take US 1 South Turn right on North Roosevelt Boulevard Continue on Roosevelt; it will turn into Truman Avenue Take a right on Whitehead Street Take a left on Southard Street Go straight until you see the Center on the right

The Eco-Discovery center is 6,400 square foot interagency visitor center located on the Nancy Foster Environmental Complex. The property overlooks the North West Channel, has three government docks and accessible outdoor seating for visitors. The two-story building directly behind the center is the administrative headquarters for Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The paved parking lot has spaces for roughly twenty-five vehicles and disability parking spaces. On the exterior of the building one begins their journey through the marine environment of North Americas only living barrier reef. Large aluminum replicas of fish, dolphins, rays & corals cascade down and around the center towards benthic critters living on the seafloor, which rests on a flat concreate path >36” wide towards the main entrance doors. These doors are equipped with a silver button and accessibility symbol. Inside, the main foyer contains information in multiple different languages regarding the center and the sounds you hear are that of nature in each habitat. An information desk is positioned just to the left of the main foyer. From the main foyer one can go straight, left, right or to the outdoor patio also located on your right. The interior floor plan would look similar to an S w/right angles. On your immediate right-hand side, there is a gift store that sells books, clothing, gifts. The main exhibit rooms start on your left and feature three interconnected rooms that contain storyboards, interactive displays, replicas, dioramas and videos. The first room is on land, the second begins underwater and the third is a 74-seat theater. These rooms begin at the highest elevation, the hardwood hammocks. A large map of South Florida with buttons illuminates interactive features such as currents, shipwrecks, coral reefs and 42 bridges connecting the Keys to mainland Florida. Also featured is a diorama of the hardwood hammocks, black and red mangroves and the shoreline transition with native species of birds, spiders, and crabs. Directly behind the terrestrial diorama is an exhibit for Dry Tortugas National Park. On the wall a massive image of historic Fort Jefferson is featured, video displays and magnificent frigate birds roosting in their mangrove home on Long Key extend to life. The terrestrial and underwater rooms are connected by a passageway with a 3d film on your left and painting of a shallow seagrass flat on the right. Hold your breath, from here we begin our journey underwater. The second room is circular beginning in the shallow seagrass meadows, ending with the deep shelf and in the middle featuring succession of coral reefs as though one were leaving the shoreline headed towards deep blue water and pelagic species. Overhead life size replicas of Loggerhead Turtles and an Eagle Ray swim above with their large heads or tails longer than some vehicles. A replica of the undersea laboratory Aquarius, found roughly 6 miles off Key Largo, rest in the center of the room. The Aquarius replica has interactive displays and videos of aquanauts conducting saturation diving missions. Prior to entering the third room and movie theater a large coral sample is displayed on the wall. This coral sample provides centuries of history and significant human events outlined in the life span of the core sample. Directly to the left of the coral sample is a sign and the entrance to the Eco-Discovery Theater. The theater features a 20-minute film starting every ½ hour. A digital timer is located above the entrance indicating the next start time. The film, Reflections of Florida Keys is closed captioned. From the main foyer going straight we encounter the living reef exhibit. The living reef exhibit features one 2,500-gallon aquarium and 4 smaller tanks. The larger tank is home to grunts, snappers, spanish hogfish and other iconic keys reef species. The first smaller tank has living stony coral which make up the geology of the keys. The second tank displays soft corals, anemones, sea-snails and other colorful reef fish. The last two smaller tanks have native conchs and exotic, invasive lionfish. An 8-minute closed captioned video is shown in the living reef exhibit overviewing their work to grow corals in labs and replant them on reefs. Images and timelines of our reefs declining and their work to restore them through science and innovation are found throughout the Mote living reef exhibit. Taking a right outside the living reef exhibit brings visitors to our restrooms. Each of these restrooms have accessible stalls and baby changing stations. Water fountains are adjacent to the restrooms and vending machines located on your left. Down the short hallway from vending machines is a conference room. The areas between the main entrance and vending machines are cemented where food and drinks are permissible. The carpeted areas of the Eco-Discovery Center contain interactive displays and electronics, here food and drinks are prohibited.

• Garden Key Visitor Center
  Passport stamp

• FLORIDA KEYS HWY
  Nationally designated · Passes here