EDUCATIONAL TRIP TO THE FLORIDA KEYS

DOLPHINS, TURTLES AND THE LIVING REEF

[TRIP LENGTH: 5 DAYS]

Itinerary can be customized to fit within your time frame or budgetary needs.

During this school trip to the Florida Keys students will discover the fragile ecosystems of Florida’s barrier reef. This reef is the third largest barrier reef in the world and provides habitat to an abundance of tropical marine organisms. Students will have a chance to actively explore the reef and see how it relates to the area’s seagrass beds and mangrove habitats. School groups will experience ecological concepts, as they relate to Marine Biology, and observe marine flora and fauna in their natural habitats.

Starting at $995 – (Not including flights)

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Homestead, FL

After arriving in Homestead, your group will begin with mentoring programs through game activities with migrant children at the RCMA. The group will then head to the Keys. After dinner, you will have a program orientation.

Day 2 – Shallow Bay Studies and Snorkeling the Reef

Following breakfast, the group will spend the morning studying the shallow bay ecosystem and collecting marine species for discussion from the seagrass lagoon. Here you and your naturalist will analyze this coral nursery system. In the afternoon you will snorkel along the coral reef and learn about marine biodiversity. Dinner will be followed by a squid dissection.

 Day 3 – Kayaking and Dolphin Program

During the morning the group will go kayaking through the mangroves in the Florida Keys.  It is likely that you may find stingrays, small nurse sharks and a variety of shallow bay inhabitants. After cleaning up, head to the Dolphin Research Center.  Here you will learn about dolphins.  In the evening you will have a night wade and net pulls studying nocturnal organisms.

Day 4 – Visit the Turtle Hospital and Volunteer at Crane Point Sanctuary

Today your group will visit the Marathon Turtle Hospital and learn about research and medical treatment for sea turtles.  Later in the day, volunteer at Crane Point Museum and Nature Center.  In the evening, have fun with a marine science trivia program.

 Day 5 – Head Home

Journey home.

 Add a Day and Explore the Everglades. Add Two Days and Journey to the Dry Tortugas.

Take in an air boat ride among the alligators in the Everglades or experience the mysterious Dry Tortugas Islands.

Itinerary subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including availability with vendors, weather conditions and flight schedules.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Guided snorkeling journey along coral reefs
  • Interact with dolphin at the Dolphin Research Center
  • Kayak the back country looking for juvenile sharks, and barracuda
  • Explore seagrass beds looking for octopus and crabs
  • Night wades and net pulls in shallow bay habitats
  • Explore remote deserted mangrove islands

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Qualified trip leader – Accompanying each expedition is a diverse team of experts from naturalists to regional specialists who will share their knowledge and insights on the wildlife, landscapes and local culture. Your guide is with the group 24/7 and also staying with you at the same hotel
Daily reflections lead by your tour leader
Overnight stays are in hotels with private bathrooms rated 4 star or more on Trip Advisor
All Meals are included but please note: On arrival day only dinner is provided; on departure day, only breakfast is provided
Tour Journal, T-shirt and Luggage tag
Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees, or fees for any required passport or visa.