Located on 3-acres of beach-front property on the beautiful Gulf Coast of Florida, The Seaside Seabird Sanctuary has become a West-Central Florida attraction and destination for tourists from all over the world.
Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the 1.7-acre sanctuary which is home to nearly 100 permanently disabled birds which are on display in large aviaries. Some of the permanent residents include Eastern Brown Pelicans, Cormorants, Gulls, Oyster Catchers, American White Pelicans, Hawks, Vultures, Blue Jays, Sandhill Cranes, Great Blue Herons, Owls, macaws, and much more.
In addition to the Sanctuary's display birds, the grounds are home to a countless number of wild birds who freely roam the Sanctuary, and nest in the trees above. Due to this, the Sanctuary is perfectly suited for bird watchers and photographers, as many stroll the grounds of the Sanctuary enjoying the tremendous photography opportunities.
Visit the Sanctuary’s Education Center to learn more about wild birds, their natural habitat, avian medicine, and wildlife rehabilitation, and what we do here at the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary. On display are various items such as eggs, bones, and feathers belonging to various species of birds. Also on display are vintage and current avian medical equipment that was once used, or is currently used in the avian medicine and rehabilitation field.
Located in the Sanctuary's Shade Garden is the observation tower. Here visitors can enjoy a breathtaking, panoramic view of the Gulf of Mexico, as well as all of the native Florida birds that can be found on the surrounding beach. Learn about the local plant life with the aid of educational signs on display on the tower.
Kids will enjoy the special events and activities that are held in the Sanctuary's Youth Activities Classroom such as the Screech Owl Presentation, as well as the "Reading with Rufous" Storytime event. Check the Sanctuary's event calendar for dates and times of classroom events.
Visit the Sanctuary's gift shop for an ice-cold beverage, or to browse the wide variety of merchandise available such as t-shirts, hats, educational books, paintings, magnets, and more.
View the memorial dedicated to the late Jim Backus (Mr. Howell of Gilligan's Island) from longtime Redington Shores Resident Dawn Wells (Mary-Ann of Gilligan's Island), located in the Sanctuary's Shade Garden near the White Pelican viewing area.
While visiting, be sure to catch one of the daily, weekly or monthly presentations that take place at the Sanctuary…
The Pelican Hand-Feeding Presentation takes place daily at 2:30pm in front of the Pelican aviaries. Here visitors can watch while Sanctuary staff hand-feed the Eastern Brown Pelicans fish, all the while a staff member teaches you important facts about pelicans.
The Screech Owl Presentation takes place every Tuesday and Thursday, and is held in the Youth Activities Classroom at 1:30pm. Here visitors will meet “Rufous,” the Sanctuary’s Eastern Screech Owl, and listen while a Sanctuary staff member teaches you everything you want to know about Eastern Screech Owls.
The Barn Owl Presentation takes place every Friday at 2:00pm in front of the Sanctuary's avian hospital. During the presentation visitors will meet “Cypress,” the Sanctuary’s permanent resident barn owl, and listen while a Sanctuary volunteer teaches you everything you want to know about barn owls.
It's story time at the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary!
Bring your kids down to the Sanctuary to meet Rufous, the Sanctuary's resident eastern screech owl, while Amy Nulph, one of the Sanctuary's Avian Hospital Specialists, reads stories from the "Hello Little Owl" book series, written and illustrated by Mary Uihlein. "Reading with Rufous" is a fun, educational experience for younger kids.
Throughout the month Seaside will conduct public bird releases out on the beach in front of the Sanctuary. Watch as Seaside staff releases successfully rehabilitated pelicans, gulls, cormorants, and terns, all the while the Sanctuary's Director of Operations gives an oral presentation.
Seaside often holds special events at the Sanctuary such a photography classes, Easter egg hunts, Halloween costume contests, yoga classes, and much more. Visit our event calendar to see what is coming up.
Prefer to have a guided tour through the 1.7-acre Sanctuary? Whether it's for an individual or a large group, guests can book a guided tour through our Sanctuary ahead of time.
Want to hold a special event at the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary? The Sanctuary is the perfect place to hold weddings and children's birthday parties.
Come visit the Sanctuary for a fun, relaxing, and educational experience!
Parking and admission is free, but donations are always appreciated!
Sanctuary:
Monday - Sunday 8:00am - 4:00pm
Gift Shop:
Tuesday - Saturday 9:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday & Monday 10:00am - 2:00pm
Hospital (For Injured Bird Admissions):
Monday - Sunday 8:00am - 4:00pm
After Hours Injured Bird Drop-Off:
Monday - Sunday 4:00pm - 8:00am
Seaside Seabird Sanctuary
18328 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores, FL 33785
The Seaside Seabird Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Federal Tax ID #: 81-3774704
Copyright © 2020 Seaside Seabird Sanctuary - All Rights Reserved.