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    Sandoway Discovery Center

    4.1 (39 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    Rebecca B.

    The Sandoway Discovery Center was neat. The fact they turned a historic home into a nature center filled with exhibits is nothing short of astounding. There is a $10 fee but you can clearly see why. They support this center on those fees. There is free parking which is a great perk and the entry fee definitely covers. They have feeding exhibitions for the stingrays, sharks, and lionfish. It's neat to watch and the staff are very knowledgeable and friendly. I'm including a few photos of our favorite parts... there are a lot more things to see! I forgot to mention the butterfly garden too. There is a seat outside to sit on and admire them.

    Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach
    Bruce K.

    It was the historical marker that caught my eye and I enjoyed that, though the Sandoway was closed on this Saturday morning. As I'm sure Yelp will merge the two, here we go. The marker reads, "The Sandoway House Nature Center was designed as a home by Samuel Ogren, Sr., in 1936 for early Delray Beach winter resident J. B. Evans, a retired produce broker. It is one of the last remaining Resort Colonial Revival houses in Delray Beach. Significant Resort Colonial Revival elements include the board-and-batten siding, the open second-story porch, and original double-hung windows. Built during the Great Depression, the only ostentation is the cathedral window on the south side of the residence. The dune garden and native plantings surrounding the house retain the ocean front setting that was typical of the neighborhood in the 1930s. In 1998, the house opened to the public as a nature center in an historical setting. Purchase and rehabilitation was made possible through contributions from many local private and corporate sponsors and through public funds from Palm Beach County, the City of Delray Beach, the Florida Communities Trust, an the Florida Department of State. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002." This is marker number F-617 and it was erected in 2008 by Palm Beach County, the City of Delray Beach and the Florida Department of State.

    Patty W.

    What a hidden gem right across from Delray Beach. It's a historical home built in 1936 that turned into a nature center over the years. It began conducting summer programs for children and providing marine and coastal exhibits for everyone to see and interact with at the center over 60 years later. The shark feedings are cancelled until the backyard project is finished. We saw turtles, an alligator, lizards, sharks, an owl, an opossum, stingrays, a macaw, fish, and a snake while we were there. There were a bunch of shells that we were able to see that came from all over the world as well as other ocean items that had creative use on display. It's a fairly cheap cost of 6 dollars per person and there is free parking at the center while visiting the center. The staff members gave a lot of information on how the museum started and educating about the animals that were there. There's a nice butterfly garden to walk through outside and an hour is enough time to see everything that is offered there.

    Stephanie O.

    Fun place, not very big. Staff was friendly and very knowledgeable. Great thing to do when raining. The shark and stingray feeding were incredible to watch!

    Michelle F.

    I have lived in the area for 5 years and never knew about this place until a neighbor told me how nice is is and definitely go when they feed the sharks in the backyard pool. I planned to arrive at 10 when they opened and then stay for the fish feeding at 10:30. The parking lot was rather empty and there was plenty of shaded parking in their private lot. Admission fee included a 2 hour parking pass. I decided to purchase the year long pass as it included discounts to other local places, and if I never went back, it was a nice little donation. I will return because today was the last day of the surfboard exhibit which I really wanted to see. I was a bit bummed until they told me it will return in 3 months. Next exhibit is Shark jaws coming in June, and I wouldn't mind coming back to see that one too. The Sandoway House is literally an old Florida house where the rooms are interactive for museum knowledge and the swimming pool in the back yard is the shark/fish tank. The feeding was pretty interesting. The touch tank for sting rays was closed for service. Would have liked to see that too. Next time. Inside the house upstairs is 1 room for looking at sea shells displayed on shelves by region or country where they are found. I happen to love going to the beach to hunt for cool shells and now I am somewhat inspired to travel to other countries to go to their beaches and see if I can find shells there too. There is a cute room for kids storytime that has plenty to keep the tykes busy for quite a while. They even have little kid binoculars to step out onto the observation deck and look for birds and other things out towards the beach. The volunteers are very nice and all have some kind of eco background. Check their website for changes in feeding schedules and what the rotating exhibit they have on display.

    Lisa H.

    This place was a nice surprise... I have lived in Delray 4 years and have heard about Sandoway but this was my first visit. A great place for kids to see large sharks and stingrays up front and personal. Admission $5 adults. .. small amount of free parking. Staff was wonderful especially our guide. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. We went on a Saturday afternoon and had no problems. Check out their feeding schedules before you go.

    Story time after shark feeding
    Molly K.

    I have been coming to Delray Beach for my entire life and this was my first visit here (in 33 years!). I took my 2 year old to the shark feeding (10:30 daily), and did not expect there to be so much more inside this renovated house. I have to brag on the Marine Biologist (I forget his name) and Susan (volunteer). He was so interesting during the shark feeding and really knows his stuff. Susan was so kind and really made my son and I feel welcome and special. We will definitely be coming back here on our next visit! Thank you Sandoway!

    Dave O.

    Great place for kids to interact with nature and learn about the animals and their nature habitats. Although this is a "hands on" experience and you can feed the Maggie the gopher tortoise, hold Gigi the resident box turtle, hold a corn snake, create your own shark tooth necklace, get up close and personal with the sea urchins and sea stars, touch (if you dare) Chomp the live alligator there are a few things not allowed so "l'esprit de votre entreprise" - No running - No yelling or disruptive behavior - No food, drink or gum - No climbing or standing on the exhibits or railings - No tapping on the animal enclosures or tanks and please keep your shirt and shoes on for the sake of all. I must have missed the free parking, there are parking lots close by with pay to park meters that takes credit cards, don't for get to put the ticket on your dash or the $4.00 entrance fee will pale in comparison to the ticket waiting for you when you return.

    Sandoway Discovery Center
    Richard S.

    Took our 3 year old granddaughter there. I thought even though it is small, it was very educational and informative They really appeal to young children. Even have children's activity room upstairs next to a room with a huge seashell collection. We saw them feeding the sharks in the pool between the house.

    Sandoway house
    Freddy C.

    Sandoway center was hosting a beach clean up. A ton of people showed up even though the weather was not optimal. Although the it was very windy and cloudy we still manage to pick up a considerably amount of garbage and help protect our beaches. It was definitely enjoyable.

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    4 years ago

    Wonderful. So many animals and exhibits. Nice buildings and natural areas. Wheelchair accessible

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    4 years ago

    Had an amazing time at Sandoway for an axolotl themed birthday party. Madi and Alyssa were the best hosts ever. Thank you ladies!

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    7 years ago

    Awesome place. Great for kiddos. The nurse shark feeding was fantastic. The shell exhibit and shark teeth were also really good

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    Review Highlights - Sandoway Discovery Center

    I took my kids to the Sandoway House during our stay in Delray Beach.

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    Sandoway Discovery Center - parks - Updated May 2026

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