- Attraction: UGA Marine Education Center & Aquarium
- Location: 30 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah, GA 31411
- Industry: Aquarium
- Website: https://gacoast.uga.edu/aquarium/
Sea creatures await your discovery just 30 minutes from downtown Savannah, where Georgia’s first saltwater aquarium showcases the incredible marine life thriving right off the coast.
The UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium on scenic Skidaway Island transforms marine education into an adventure, featuring 16 exhibit tanks filled with native Georgia species that you won’t find anywhere else in the state.
This isn’t just your typical massive aquarium experience.
It’s something uniquely intimate and educational.
Part of the University of Georgia’s Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant program, this facility has been serving over 45,000 visitors annually for more than 50 years, combining serious marine research with hands-on public education that makes coastal ecosystems come alive.
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Keep Exploring →Marine Life Highlights
Touch Tank Experiences: You’ll get hands-on access to Georgia’s marine invertebrates, including horseshoe crabs, whelks, and various crabs. The touch tanks create an unforgettable tactile experience where you can feel the texture of a horseshoe crab’s shell or watch a hermit crab scurry across your palm.
Loggerhead Sea Turtles: These magnificent threatened species serve as ambassador animals, and you can observe them during special feeding sessions held every Tuesday throughout summer months. Watching these ancient mariners glide through their tank offers a peaceful, almost meditative experience.
Stingrays and Local Fish: The exhibit tanks house an impressive variety of coastal Georgia species, from graceful stingrays to colorful fish species that inhabit the state’s estuaries and coastal waters. Many of these animals are actually caught by aquarium staff right off the local coast, ensuring authentic regional representation.
Diamondback Terrapins: These unique turtles, native to Georgia’s salt marshes, showcase the diversity of reptilian life along the coast. Their distinctive diamond-patterned shells make them particularly captivating to observe.
Friday Feeding Shows: Every Friday during summer months, marine educators conduct feeding demonstrations where you’ll learn fascinating facts about each animal’s diet, behaviors, and feeding techniques. These sessions transform a simple visit into an educational spectacle.
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Discover MoreSeasonal Wildlife Programs: Throughout the summer, the aquarium hosts specialized programs featuring live animals like horseshoe crabs, snakes, and sea stars during their “Creature Feature” shows, making each visit potentially different from the last.
Outdoor Adventures & Atmosphere
Jay Wolf Nature Trail: This ADA-accessible boardwalk winds through maritime forest and along the Skidaway River, offering opportunities to spot wild dolphins, ospreys, and bald eagles. The trail provides a serene contrast to the indoor aquarium experience.
River Observation Platform: The boardwalk includes an observation deck overlooking the Skidaway River with its dramatic 6-8 foot tidal range. You’ll witness the dynamic nature of Georgia’s salt marshes as exposed mud flats and oyster reefs appear and disappear with the tides.
Picnic Areas: Shaded picnic spots along the riverbank create perfect settings for extending your visit. The peaceful bluff location offers beautiful water views and makes for an ideal lunch break.
Maritime Forest Setting: The entire facility sits within a stunning maritime forest ecosystem, creating an immersive natural environment that enhances the educational experience beyond just the indoor exhibits.
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Keep Exploring →R/V Sea Dawg Cruises: During special programs, you can board the facility’s 43-foot converted lobster boat for educational trawling experiences in Wassaw Sound, where you’ll help identify marine life while learning about marine debris prevention.
Educational Programs & Unique Features
Behind-the-Scenes Tours: Special tours reveal what goes into caring for ambassador animals, giving you insight into aquarium operations and marine husbandry that most visitors never see.
Research Connection: Unlike typical aquariums, this facility actively conducts marine research, including operating Georgia’s first oyster hatchery. You’re visiting a working research station, not just a display facility.
Summer Marine Science Camps: The center offers intensive educational programs that dive deep into coastal ecology, making it a destination for serious marine science learning.
Shellfish Research Lab: Located on the same campus, this facility contributes to Georgia’s aquaculture industry and living shoreline research, showcasing real-world marine conservation efforts.
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Reasonable Pricing: Adult admission costs $8, with children (3-17) at $6, seniors/military/students at $6, and children 2 and under free. The pricing reflects good value for a specialized educational experience rather than a large commercial aquarium.
Compact Experience: You can comfortably explore the entire facility in 1-2 hours, making it perfect for families with shorter attention spans or as part of a larger Skidaway Island adventure.
Educational Focus: This attraction works best for visitors genuinely interested in marine education and conservation. You’ll gain deep knowledge about Georgia’s coastal ecosystems rather than just entertainment.
Limited Hours: Open Monday-Friday 9 AM to 4 PM and Saturdays 10 AM to 5 PM, closed Sundays. The weekday hours make it ideal for educational field trips but require planning for weekend visits.
Island Location: The Skidaway Island setting provides a more secluded, nature-focused experience compared to downtown Savannah attractions, though it requires a scenic 30-minute drive from the city center.
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Keep Exploring →Parking and Accessibility: Ample parking is available, and the facility maintains ADA accessibility throughout, including the nature trail boardwalk.
UGA Marine Education Center & Aquarium
📍 30 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah, GA 31411
