Explore/Local Experts/Marine Discovery Center

Local expert · New Smyrna Beach, Florida

Explore the Indian River Lagoon: Dolphin Tours, Kayaks & Family Programs

Guided boat and kayak experiences, campus tours, and accessible sensory programs in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

Explore tours

Featured experiences

Featured Tours & Programs

Pontoon dolphin tours, guided kayak adventures, campus walks, and weekly family programs.

Kayak

water-activities · New Smyrna Beach

Indian River Lagoon Preserve Kayak Tour | Kayak in New Smyrna Beach, Florida

Discover the vibrant ecosystems of Florida's Indian River Lagoon on a guided kayaking adventure. Perfect for nature lovers seeking an eco-friendly outing filled with wildlife and scenic views.

View trip details

About Marine Discovery Center

Guided boat and kayak experiences, campus tours, and accessible sensory programs in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

Marine Discovery Center is a nonprofit marine education and conservation facility in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, situated on a 22-acre campus along the Indian River Lagoon. The center offers guided boat tours, kayak eco-tours, family programs, and sensory-accessible activities that connect visitors with the region's estuary and wildlife. Daily and scheduled offerings include two-hour Morning and Evening Dolphin Discovery Tours aboard the pontoon boat Discovery, guided by certified Florida naturalists who interpret local dolphins, sea turtles, and birdlife. Kayak Eco Tours and the Indian River Lagoon Preserve Kayak Tour provide two-hour guided paddling through mangroves with single and tandem kayaks available for beginners and families.

On the land-based campus, visitors can join the MDC Campus Tour to learn about restoration projects, the history of Mt. Morgan, gardens, and future plans; campus tours run Wednesday mornings or by request. Family-focused Sea Squirts parent-and-toddler programs for ages three to six run weekly on Wednesdays for nine weeks, with drop-in options offered. The Sense of Adventure program offers sensory‑engaged activities for individuals with disabilities and sensory sensitivities, designed for inclusive hands-on learning.

Marine Discovery Center emphasizes environmental education, hands-on interpretation, and stewardship of North America's biologically diverse estuary. Programs are led by trained staff and naturalists, combining outdoor exploration with conservation messaging to foster appreciation for the Indian River Lagoon and its wildlife. Visitor bookings support local conservation initiatives, educational outreach and habitat restoration projects focused on water quality species monitoring and native habitat protection across New Smyrna Beach and Indian River Lagoon.

“Every outing is organized with local river knowledge, basic safety instruction, and equipment checks before departure.”

Campus Size22 acres

22-acre campus with gardens and Mt. Morgan

Boat Tours2-hour tours

Pontoon boat Discovery with naturalist guides

Family ProgramsSea Squirts (3–6)

Weekly parent and toddler sessions

Kayak Tours2-hour guided trips

Mangrove paddles for beginners and families

Trip planning information

What the listing provides.

Open the individual experience guide to confirm current availability, pricing, policies, conditions, and inclusions before booking.

Clear route logistics

The operator provides clear meeting points, departure times, and destination coordinates for all outings.

Safety orientation

Personal flotation devices, emergency protocols, equipment checks, and paddling orientations are provided before departure.

Gear & apparel guidance

Recommended layering, water shoes, sunscreen, and dry bags are detailed in each experience guide.

Local river expertise

Guides share rich knowledge of regional flora, fauna, scenic landmarks, and river navigation.

Marine Discovery Center

Photos from the listing.

A glimpse into the experiences, natural landscapes, and adventures waiting on your next trip.

Images supplied on the current Marine Discovery Center listing.

Common questions

Find your best adventure.

What types of experiences does Marine Discovery Center offer?

Marine Discovery Center offers a variety of guided outdoor excursions, scenic routes, rentals, and custom itineraries tailored for families, couples, and adventure enthusiasts.

Are there options suitable for beginners or children?

Yes. Most trips feature comprehensive safety orientations, equipment fittings, and calm routes suited for first-time adventurers. Check the details on individual experience guides for specific age and skill requirements.

What gear or clothing is provided?

Standard safety equipment (such as certified life vests and essential gear) is supplied for each booking. Detailed checklists regarding weather-appropriate attire and personal items are provided prior to departure.

Marine Discovery Center New Smyrna Beach

The Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach Florida offers guided boat tours kayak eco tours campus experiences and family programs focused on the Indian River Lagoon. Indian River Lagoon tours, dolphin tours, kayak tours, and educational programs highlight local wildlife conservation and outdoor learning.

Signature Tours and Experiences

Morning Dolphin Discovery Tour is a two hour guided boat trip aboard the pontoon boat Discovery led by certified Florida naturalists to view dolphins sea turtles and shorebirds. Evening Dolphin Discovery Tour delivers two hour sunset wildlife viewing and interpretation in a calm estuary setting. Dolphin Discovery Tour offers daytime trips focused on dolphin behavior and estuary ecology. Indian River Lagoon Preserve Kayak Tour and Kayak Eco Tour provide two hour guided paddling through mangroves with single and tandem kayaks suitable for beginners and families. MDC Campus Tour is a guided walk of the 22 acre campus that includes Mt Morgan gardens restoration projects and campus history available Wednesday mornings or by request. Sea Squirts parent and toddler programs serve children ages three to six in weekly nine week sessions with drop in options for select age groups. Sense of Adventure is a sensory focused program designed for individuals with disabilities and sensory sensitivities that encourages hands on exploration.

What To Expect

Tours are led by trained staff and certified Florida naturalists who provide wildlife interpretation natural history and conservation context. Small group sizes enable close wildlife viewing and hands on learning opportunities on water and land.

Planning And Booking

Book in advance when possible for peak season weekends. Choose a pontoon boat Discovery tour for broader estuary access and a kayak tour for intimate mangrove exploration. Campus tours are ideal for groups schools and visitors interested in restoration and habitat information.

Conservation And Education

Programs at the Marine Discovery Center prioritize environmental education stewardship and community outreach. Interpretation links local species and habitat protection with actionable conservation messages and volunteer opportunities.

Keywords And Locations

Marine Discovery Center New Smyrna Beach Indian River Lagoon tours dolphin tours kayak eco tour pontoon boat Discovery certified Florida naturalists Sea Squirts program Sense of Adventure campus tour Mt Morgan mangrove kayaking conservation education.

Wildlife You May See

The Indian River Lagoon supports dolphins sea turtles manatees when present numerous wading birds osprey herons and migratory shorebirds. Naturalists identify species and explain behavioral ecology habitat needs and conservation status during tours.

Group Programs And School Visits

The center offers curriculum aligned informal learning opportunities for schools youth groups and community organizations. Field trip formats include boat based observation kayak experiences and campus based lessons that emphasize science inquiry conservation and stewardship.

Accessibility And Special Programs

Sense of Adventure and similar offerings adapt activities for participants with sensory sensitivities and mobility considerations. Staff work with group leaders to plan accessible experiences and sensory friendly programming.

Safety And What To Bring

Tours operate with safety briefings life jackets on board and park recommendations for sun protection. Bring water sun protection closed toe shoes for kayak tours and a camera for wildlife viewing. Reservations are recommended especially for weekend and holiday dates.

How To Book

Visit the Marine Discovery Center website or contact the center to reserve seats on the pontoon boat Discovery sign up for kayak tours schedule campus tours and register for Sea Squirts sessions. Group requests for custom tour times are accommodated when possible.

Experience New Smyrna Beach nature with expert guides and memorable learning opportunities.

Reserve an adventure

Reserve a Tour at Marine Discovery Center

Book a dolphin tour, kayak trip, or campus visit in New Smyrna Beach — spaces fill quickly.

Explore tours

Booking and editorial note: AdvGuides is a travel discovery and booking platform and does not operate these experiences directly. Current availability, pricing, policies, conditions, and operator details should be confirmed on the linked experience page before booking.