Sandoway Discovery Center is a nonprofit nature center in a historic oceanfront home in Delray Beach, offering summer camp and school programs focused on Florida's coastal environment. Campers explore hands-on exhibits including a reef pool with sharks, a stingray touch tank, and displays of reptiles, birds, and amphibians.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact Sandoway Discovery Center directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
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★★★★★darlene margulisWhat a wonderful place to visit in South Florida! This historic home has been beautifully maintained to become a home for a variety of sea life, land animals, insects and plants! We were able to learn about & gently touch stingrays, sea stars ( no longer referred to as starfish because they are not actually a fish!), and an African Sulcata Tortoise which was found grazing in a local parking lot! "Gari"now has a forever home! It was wonderful to learn more about animals and some of their personal stories from the staff and group of volunteers! The highlight is the shark and ray feeding, however my crew particularly enjoyed the one on one experience that the staff and volunteers provided throughout our visit. We were there for about 90 minutes and it was jam packed with learning about different animals and seeing them up close. It was interesting understanding which animals were able to be handled and which were not. The staff/volunteers were on it! Providing a clean and safe environment for the animals while interacting with the public! A great little hidden gem for people of all ages...you can zip through in 30minutes or take your time interacting with the people & animals! It was my very first time seeing a real live axolotl! And the butterfly garden is so beautiful and peaceful! It was great to visit & experience this friendly & happy place!
★★★★★Gabriela MuzzilloIf you are anywhere near Delray Beach, you NEED to take your kids to the Sandoway Discovery Center. This place is an absolute hidden gem and one of the most meaningful, hands-on experiences you can have as a family. It’s set inside a beautiful historic home with lush gardens, and every room is a new adventure—Everglades, coral reef, reptiles, nocturnal animals, and even an incredible shell collection. But what really makes this place unforgettable is how interactive it is. Your kids can touch stingrays, see nurse sharks up close, and even meet animals brought out by the volunteers. The volunteers are AMAZING. They don’t just show you the animals—they tell their stories. Many of these animals were rescued after being abandoned or injured, and now they’re cared for here because they wouldn’t survive in the wild. It turns the visit into something so much deeper than just “looking at animals”—it’s educational, emotional, and inspiring. They also do live feedings and presentations throughout the day, so there’s always something exciting happening. And the best part? It’s only $10, and every single dollar goes right back into caring for these animals. This is one of those places that truly deserves your support. It’s fun, affordable, educational, and something your kids will remember long after you leave. GO. You will not regret it. 💙
★★★★★Mary Schiltz, Realtorwhat a great little place to visit! I say little because it is compact but it is full of aquariums and educational information and animals that you would not normally see. there were a lot of people there that were helpful and informative for any questions you might have. I would definitely put it on your list of things to see.
★★★★★J V CThis place is a hidden gem! I was surprised to learn the center has been around since the 1930’s and yet it took me almost two decades of living in S Florida to visit. I came to see a shark feeding and was impressed by how much this small historic home-turned-center holds. Each room is themed and educational, there’s a touch tank, demonstrations (my fav is Reggie the skunk!) and gorgeous views of Delray Beach proper. Very inviting for nature lovers, including kids & kids at heart. You can tell they’ve been updating the property & continuing to build out their programming, so I’m excited to visit again in the near future. Only downside is how small the parking lot is, which is pretty unavoidable when you’re right on the beach. I recommend going early on weekends or mid-week to avoid the busy beach crowds.
★★★★★Zachary HeldThis place was great! Get to experience feeding the sting rays and sharks, and petting the stingrays. Great half day trip, and the employees were fantastic in answering questions and explaining the different local animals! Highly recommend