Welcome to The Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center, where visitors to the St. Pete Pier mix fun and learning. Developed and operated by Tampa Bay Watch, a non-profit founded in 1993, the Discovery Center tells you the story of Tampa Bay’s vast and complex estuary — its history and recovery, and our organization’s pivotal role in that effort.
Our Eco-Tours explore Tampa Bay history and the marine life you will find in and above the bay. Activities include a fisheries trawl, bird spotting and identifying specific traits, dolphin and manatee identification and behaviors, all while enjoying a relaxing bay cruise. Check our schedule to find out when the tours depart. Tickets may be purchased inside of the Discovery Center, or online by following the button shown below:
Location
Located on the over-water walkway approaching the Pier head, the Discovery Center presents all you need to know about Tampa Bay’s unique ecosystem in a way that’s entertaining and hands-on. The indoor Exhibit Gallery features an Estuary Habitat that showcases a variety of species found in local waters. Visitors can also experience interactive displays, video presentations, a touch tank and docent-led tours.
Education
Adjacent to the exhibit gallery is a state-of-the-art classroom that accommodates school field trips and programs for students of all ages. But the Discovery Center is not strictly an indoor experience. The “wet classroom” offers larger outdoor demonstrations and lectures. It’s bordered by walkways and railings, and includes an amphitheater-style observation deck.
Innovation
Come aboard our new “floating classroom” — a certified catamaran Eco-Vessel — adding on-the-water tour options right from the Discovery Center dock.
Expanding Our Scope
The Discovery Center is a significant new addition to the education and conservation efforts of Tampa Bay Watch, and is integral to the advancement of our mission. The facility allows us to vastly expand our reach to local, national and international visitors.
A nonprofit organization founded in 1993, Tampa Bay Watch leads habitat restoration and protection activities throughout the year. Thousands of volunteers contribute their time to help the bay recover from its environmental challenges and to ensure its long-term health.
People of all ages — as part of community groups, schools and other organizations — participate in salt marsh plantings, storm drain markings, oyster bar creation, coastal cleanups and wildlife protection. This collective effort amounts to environmental stewardship in its purest form.
The goal of the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center is to advance environmental stewardship by engaging, informing and inspiring visitors with our success story about the recovery of Tampa Bay.
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