Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center

The NOAA Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center is temporarily closed while NOAA evaluates findings from a recent structural assessment of the facility. NOAA will be working with engineers to determine the extent of the issues with the roof and address necessary repairs.

Visitors are able to explore the Eco-Discovery Center online by diving into our fully immersive, 360-degree virtual tour of the sanctuary and visitor center during the temporary closure. Since opening its doors in Key West in 2007, the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center has served as a gateway to North America's only living contiguous barrier coral reef. Built on the Truman Annex waterfront as part of a larger complex it is a collaborative effort between NOAA, local agencies, and private partners. The 6,400-square-foot facility was designed with a single mission: to educate and inspire the next generation of ocean protectors.

From day one, the center has brought the ocean indoors to more than 750,000 visitors. Visitors can marvel at a centuries-old cannon recovered from the 1733 Spanish fleet, crawl through a replica of the famous Aquarius underwater research habitat, and get hands-on with interactive displays exploring local hardwood hammocks, coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass flats.