St. Lucie County Aquarium, Marine education center in Fort Pierce, United States.
The St. Lucie County Aquarium in Fort Pierce displays the Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit, a 3,000-gallon model of a coral reef retired in 2000 from the National Museum of Natural History. Other tanks represent the Indian River Lagoon and the surrounding coast.
The Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit was retired in 2000 from the National Museum of Natural History and brought to Fort Pierce, where it became the centerpiece of the St. Lucie County Aquarium. The 3,000-gallon coral reef model was then installed alongside displays of the Indian River Lagoon and the surrounding coast.
This facility serves as a learning space where visitors gain understanding of marine life and the ecosystems found along Florida's coasts. Schools and families come here to experience the diversity of coastal waters up close.
Visitors should know that opening hours follow a regular schedule across most days, with slightly shorter times on weekends. It makes sense to come early in the day when the spaces are less crowded, especially during warmer months.
The center maintains a living coral reef complex that originated from a renowned scientific collection, showing how precious such ecosystems are. This rare collection is preserved here with special care and continues to be studied.
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