New Home for Science Center

By Sara Buck Lane Tybee Island Marine Science Center

The Tybee Island Marine Science Center recently announced plans for the phased opening of its new facility, nearly two years since construction on the new center first began. Just in time for spring and summer visitors, the much anticipated opening will begin with the opening of the expanded gift shop. As visitors shop, they can also get a behind the scenes look at staff assembling the exhibits in both galleries. Additionally, visitors are welcome to enjoy the views from the new 50 seat amphitheater and the Ship Watch Loft, that overlooks the sand dunes and beyond, to the mouth of the Savannah River and north to Daufuskie and Hilton Head Islands.

Beginning on Thursday, March 25th, the center’s West Gallery will be open Thursdays through Sundays, 10am-4pm. Following the opening of the West Gallery, the East Gallery, Sea Turtle Workshop, and Open Air Classroom and Gallery will open on Saturday, May 1st with the same hours of operation.

The new center is located on four-fifths of an acre and is strategically situated for minimal impact on the dune system and to capitalize on prevailing winds for passive cooling and ventilation. The conditioned interior space is 5,400 square feet and the groundlevel, open air undercroft of the same dimension, doubles the usable area for classes and programs.

This move has been a long time coming for the Tybee Island Marine Science Center. For thirty years, the non profit organization operated out of the City of Tybee Island’s former police station on the south end of the island. Since 2007 (previous data unknown), over a half million people, children to retirees, were connected to the coast through the Center’s education and conservation programs. While it’s hard to believe, the Center accomplished that with just 750 square feet of exhibit space and a single classroom. The new facility boasts 3,500 square feet of gallery exhibits and seven classrooms. The new location will also feature hands-on exploration activity, demonstrations, displays, exhibits, films, presentation kiosks and nature-based play sites throughout the facility and grounds. Other highlights include a lifesize model of a North Atlantic right whale fluke and five sea turtles that nest on Tybee beaches as well as a husbandry animal care area for collection and rescue activity, which will be a working exhibit.

The new Center is located at 37 Meddin Drive on Tybee Island’s north end. To stay up to date on all the happenings at the new Center and for information on the return of Sea Camp and the Center’s programming, visit TybeeMarineScience.org.

A lifelike American alligator awaits visitors to the new center! Photo by Sara Buck Lane

Display showing the five sea turtles that nest on Georgia beaches. Photo by Sara Buck Lane