Land-Based Tours

Our land-based tours occur at a variety of locations around the area
and right here on MDC’s 22-acre campus!

Forever Explorers is designed for young-at-heart, lifelong learners and is geared to offer outdoor opportunities for adults who want to explore and better understand their surrounding coastal environment alongside certified naturalists and scientists! During our land-based excursions, qualified staff & guest speakers will share their knowledge about a vast array of topics aligning with the Forever Explorers theme of the month including plants and animals, water quality, citizen science, local conservation efforts, and much more! Workshops take place in a variety of locations across Volusia County.  This program is open to participants 18+. 

Our Forever Explorers program also includes boat programs, kayak excursions, and conservation workshops. Click here to learn more about Forever Explorers

This is a guided tour of the 22-acre Marine Discovery Center property by golf cart and led by MDC volunteers. This tour will last 30-45 minutes and include some of the history of MDC, interesting facts about the property, restoration efforts in progress, other opportunities to explore or volunteer, and the future vision of MDC. This is meant to be both fun and educational as you explore the gardens and paths and climb Mt Morgan.

Bring your binoculars and come with us to explore avian life right here on the MDC property during late winter and early spring! Take a guided exploration with MDC volunteer Don Chalfant at Marine Discovery Center to search for pelicans, egrets, herons, ospreys, eagles, songbirds, and more during our MDC Bird Walks. See what you can find flying, wading, and feeding in our restored salt marsh, search for what’s hiding and hopping in the native plants throughout the property, and take in a bird’s eye view from atop Mt. Morgan.

Participants are asked to bring their own binoculars. Bird walks are limited to 10 people maximum. Our birds walks are FREE but require reservations. Call 386.428.4828 or book online. 

Our beaches are abundant with life. Join the Marine Discovery Center for a stroll along our beautiful beaches to explore the fascinating stories of the creatures, big and small, that call New Smyrna Beach home. Activities may include beachcombing, marine debris investigations, beach sand explorations, and seine netting. This exploration series is part of the City of New Smyrna Beach’s Island Education Program every late winter/early spring called “Get to Know Your Island”. Click here to view the city’s full schedule for 2026.

No reservations are required. Participants meet at 551 Esther Street, NSB.