The visit
A marine guide will be waiting for the arrival of your group at the visitor’s center. There, he or she will introduce you to the Smithsonian Institution and to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, its mission and goals, and will give you a brief overview of the research that is currently taking place in our nine facilities, specifically at the Galeta Point Marine Lab.
Children learning about the ocean's ecosystem
After answering any questions you may have, the guide will lead you to our first exhibition, the Whale Skeleton Exhibition, where you will learn about marine mammals and their importance in our lives. The following stop is at the dock, next to a marvelous mangrove forest that is unique to our environment. After watching coastal birds fly out of the mangrove trees and fish swimming about their roots, you will never wonder again about the importance of these forests in our ecosystem. In the coming months, “The Mangrove Boardwalk”, featuring 300 meters of trails that make their way among mangrove trees, reptiles, birds, insects, and mammals, will be completed.
A sea star!
Our next attraction is the Coral Reef, which is right at the touch of your hand! You might never see stingrays, sea stars, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, lobsters, moray eels, and turtles more closely; some of them are even touchable. You will be amazed to learn about all those behavioral patterns you have wondered about before. And if you have never dared to submerge under the sea, this is your chance to come face to face with a natural coral reef, together with all its colorful components of fish, anemones, algae, and more. Also, you will be able to watch a marine life video of your choice.
To end your visit, you can sigh as you watch the amazing seascape from our observatory deck, which is equipped with two telescopes, one aimed at the entrance of the Canal, and the other one at our mangrove forest.
We don’t have a cafeteria, but you can bring your own sandwiches and drinks, sit and relax, and blend in with nature!