Barrier Island Sanctuary

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8385 S Highway A1A
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
+1 (321) 723-3556
http://www.barrierislandcenter.com
The 34-acre Sanctuary and education center offers visitors a place to explore the dynamic coastal environment. An observation deck, boardwalk and overlook offer magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean. A 1-mile hiking trail winds visitors across the barrier island, from the ocean to the Indian River Lagoon. Inside visitors can explore aquariums and interactive exhibits, view eco-themed movies in the theater, or shop in the Mermaid's Purse gift shop. The Sanctuary is the environmental education center for the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, one of the most important nesting beaches in the world for sea turtles. Guided sea turtle walks are offered during June and July and a variety of environmental education programs and activities are regularly offered for visitors of all ages. Admission is always free, open Tuesday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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4.513 reviews
Photo of Ariel W.
Ariel W.
8/4/2025

Barrier Island Sanctuary is located inside the Archie Carr National Refuge which was established by Congress in 1989 to protect sea turtles that are threatened with extinction throughout the...

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Photo of Ruth C.
Ruth C.
5/10/2023

Small sanctuary, but some nice, educational displays. They do have a boardwalk walkway, and very short hiking trail. Unfortunately, we didn't see any wildlife the day we went, but we still had...

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Photo of Mark P.
Mark P.
12/13/2022

Free Florida Fun. Impresses like a small science center with an emphasis on turtles, whales, and the area's ecosystem. There's barefoot trails to explore the intercoastal across the street, beach...

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Photo of Adam S.
Adam S.
3/20/2023

This was just what we needed on a cooler beach day. From the friendly staff to the educational components, the kids loved it. My daughter got to pick one souvenir on the trip and she ended up with...

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Photo of Heather H.
Heather H.
6/19/2024

Fun little visit with our family. Very informative, with lots of hands on activities. Only took us about an hour.

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