Getting ready forthe Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center.
A small marine science center on the St. Pete Pier with live fish, seahorses, snakes, frogs and a touch tank, sensory bags on request, a social story made with CARD, and sensory-friendly programs you can ask to schedule by email.
Sensory supports. Sensory bags, social story, sensory programs on request.
Hours
Open 10 am to 5 pm daily. Holiday season hours: open 3 pm to 6 pm Nov 24 2026; closed on Thanksgiving; open 10 am to 3 pm Dec 15 2026; closed Dec 18 2026; open 10 am to 1 pm on Christmas Eve; closed on Christmas Day.
700 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (on the St. Pete Pier)
Stay close“The Center is located on the St. Pete Pier. We recommend close supervision if your child is drawn to water.”
Sensory bags are for anyone who visits; ask at the front desk. In 2022 the center listed its sensory kits as noise cancelling headphones, sunglasses, fidget spinners, a marble trap, poppers, a stress ball and a calm down activities sheet.
The center's educators are trained to support learners with a wide range of needs, and the center is listed as Autism Friendly in the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) directory. Its social story was made with CARD.
Sensory Sundays, 2-hour sessions for all ages, have no dates open to book right now. To ask about the next one, or to set up a sensory-friendly program for your family or group, email education@tampabaywatch.org.
Plan for the walk: the center is on the over-water walkway leading to the Pier head. Three ADA-compliant trams run continuously and stop at the entrance plaza, the Pelican Parking Lot, the Discovery Center and the Pier head.
For a full-size copy your child can use, open this page at squaredsteps.com, tap Make it yours, then print.
More about Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center
Sensory bags on request.
A social story to read ahead, made with CARD.
Families, schools and groups can email education@tampabaywatch.org to ask about scheduling a sensory-friendly program.
Admission: adults and teens (13+) $8.00, seniors (60+) $6.00, military (with ID) $3.00, Florida teachers (with ID) $3.00, children 4 to 12 $3.00, children 3 and under free, Tampa Bay Watch members free. Buy online or at the center; general admission needs no reservation.
Free and reduced routes: free family admission with a museum pass from a Pinellas Public Library Cooperative member library. Museums for All: with SNAP benefits, $3.00 each for up to 4 guests (ages 3 and under not included) with your EBT card and a valid ID. Groups buying 10 or more tickets in one transaction get 10% off; email guestservices@tampabaywatch.org.
Parking: the Pier's Pelican Parking Lot, first come, first served (fees are on the St. Pete Pier website), a paid lot on the Pier near Doc Ford's, plus paid street parking and garages downtown. The free St. Petersburg Downtown Looper trolley makes regular stops. Accessible parking with an approved card is in the Pelican lot, first come, first served.
Daily included programs: Seahorse Supper at 10:15 am, 2 pm and 4:15 pm; terrapin feeding at 1 pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday; frog and toad feeding at 1 pm Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Classroom programs have their own tickets, booked ahead: lionfish and squid dissections are $10 per person and Bay Babies is $10 per child (ages 2 to 6; only one adult per child is allowed; siblings under 2 free); each includes Discovery Center admission. Every dissection guest needs a ticket to enter the classroom, and guests under 16 must be with an adult.
The center is wheelchair accessible. Sign language interpreting is at no charge with two weeks' notice: email guestservices@tampabaywatch.org. Certified service animals are welcome, leashed and/or harnessed and under control.
There are restaurants on the Pier. Questions: (727) 291-4103 or guestservices@tampabaywatch.org.
