Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex

Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex is a nature center and research facility situated on a barrier island between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. The grounds include walking trails, indoor displays about wildlife, marine rehabilitation pools, and research areas where staff care for injured and ill animals.

The complex opened in 1984 after Boca Raton approved funding through a public referendum to support environmental protection. This establishment changed how South Palm Beach County approached coastal preservation and marine research.

The facility serves as an educational hub where visitors learn about local ecosystems through hands-on exhibits and live demonstrations. People come here to understand how humans can work alongside nature to protect the animals and plants that depend on these coastal waters.

The grounds are easy to explore on foot with marked trails and viewing platforms that do not require special fitness. Florida weather is hot and humid, so arriving early in the day and bringing water makes for a more comfortable visit.

The facility treats sea turtles suffering from Fibropapillomatosis, a disease that only a handful of Florida centers are equipped to handle. This specialized work makes it a crucial refuge for one of the area's most vulnerable species.