MacArthur Beach Nature Center

About

A state park with guided nature walks, field trip programs for K-12, and hands-on activities like seine netting in the estuary. Rangers and volunteers lead explorations through maritime hammock, mangrove areas, and out to the beach where kids can spot sea turtle nests and snorkel over the limestone reef. Great for all ages with programs ranging from self-guided Junior Ranger activities to monthly bird walks best for ages 10 and up. The nature center has interactive exhibits including sea turtle and snake ambassadors, plus aquariums showcasing local marine life. Golf cart shuttles are available if the mile-long boardwalk walk to the beach feels too long for your kid.

Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park is a non-profit corporation with a mission of generating supplemental resources to preserve, restore, and interpret the natural and cultural assets of John D. MacArthur Beach State Park for present and future gener

Programs (10)

• Secret Lives of Snakes

  Workshop
  · Sunday· Afternoon· Free

  Kids meet live snake ambassadors and learn about their habits and habitats in an outdoor amphitheater setting. The program runs every second Sunday of the month at 1 PM. All ages are welcome to participate in this educational presentation.

• Bird Talk & Walk

  Workshop
  · Paid

  Kids join a park ranger to spot seasonal and resident birds while walking through beach and estuary habitats. The program runs once monthly from August through April and is scheduled around low tide for the best wading bird viewing. Kids should be prepared to walk over a mile and stand for more than an hour.

• Junior Ranger Program

  Workshop
  · Free

  Kids complete self-guided activities throughout the park to earn official Junior Ranger badges and certificates. Your kid learns about ranger responsibilities and park conservation through hands-on exploration and educational tasks. The program is available in both English and Spanish.

• Sea Turtle Tank Talks

  Workshop
  · Free

  Kids learn about sea turtle life cycles and conservation while meeting the park's resident loggerhead sea turtle ambassador. A volunteer or ranger leads the discussion at the outdoor tank and answers questions about helping wild sea turtles.

• MacBeach Explorations Teacher Workshop

  Workshop
  · Free

  A 2-day summer workshop for 3rd-12th grade teachers that provides environmental education resources and classroom materials. The program includes an extended field experience during the school year with free charter bus transportation.

• Year Round Programs

  Camp
  · Saturday, Sunday· Free

  The Nature Center at MacArthur Beach State Park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., making it a perfect spot to visit on weekends with kids of all ages. Your family will get to explore interactive exhibits about the park's habitats and history, check out the sea turtle tank with a resident loggerhead ambassador, and peek into the mangrove aquarium filled with local fish and creatures. The center also shows short films about the park's ecology and environmental topics like microplastics, so there's plenty to learn together. It's completely free, and a ranger or volunteer at the information desk can help you figure out what to see based on your kids' interests and answer any questions as you explore.

• Guided Nature Walks

  Workshop
  · Sunday, Monday· Morning· Paid

  Kids explore the park's ecosystems on a one-mile guided walk that covers boardwalk, forest, and beach areas. A volunteer or ranger leads the group and explains the wildlife, habitats, and park history along the way. The walk may include uneven terrain and stairs.

• Environmental Education Field Experiences

  Class
  Ages 6–18· Free

  Kids explore coastal habitats through hands-on activities that combine trail walks with science investigations of mangroves, seagrass beds, and dune systems. The program is designed for grades 1-12 with age-appropriate activities that meet state science standards. Programs include exploration of the park's seven different natural communities from beach to estuary.

• Citizen Science Marine Debris Program

  Workshop
  · Free

  Kids participate in real scientific research by collecting and cataloging marine debris found on the beach. Available daily during nature center hours or by special request for groups. The program teaches kids about marine pollution while contributing data to actual conservation efforts.

• Beach Clean-Up

  Workshop
  · Saturday· Morning· Free

  Kids help keep the beach healthy by collecting trash and debris along the shoreline for two hours each month. Runs every third Saturday from 9-11 AM with all equipment provided. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and can earn community service hours.