Embark on a 5-Day Eco-Adventure in the Florida Keys!

Join the Wild Dolphin Project and discover the beauty and biodiversity of the Florida Keys on this unique, hands-on eco-excursion. Snorkel vibrant coral reefs, glide through mangrove forests, and explore the hidden treasures of seagrass meadows. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for these interconnected ecosystems while enjoying stunning wildlife encounters. Whether you’re passionate about conservation or simply love the ocean, this trip offers an exciting opportunity to learn and explore.

The Florida Keys are home to some of the most diverse and vital marine ecosystems in the world, protected by an extensive network of marine sanctuaries. These sanctuaries, including the iconic Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, safeguard over 6,000 square miles of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary covers 2,900 square miles and runs from south Miami to the Dry Tortugas. By preserving these ecosystems, the sanctuaries protect countless species of marine life, from vibrant coral and tropical fish to endangered sea turtles and dolphins. Visitors have the unique opportunity to explore these pristine waters, all while contributing to the ongoing conservation efforts that ensure these habitats thrive for generations to come.

Whether you’re a seasoned snorkeler or a beginner, this eco-excursion is designed to accommodate all skill levels. More than just a trip, it’s an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems and contribute to their preservation.

$2000 per person

What’s Included:

  • 5 Day Eco-excursion of the Florida Keys (Thursday – Monday)
  • All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner): Snacks available all day
  • Professional crew
  • Guided nature tours

What’s Not Included

  • Travel expenses (Flights, hotels, taxis, insurance, etc.)
  • Snorkel gear

Itinerary Overview

  • Day 1: Boarding R/V Stenella at Key Largo
    Board Stenella between 10am – 12pm. Settle into the serene environment of the Keys, enjoy lunch and an afternoon snorkel.
  • Day 2-5: Explore the Northern Florida Keys – Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon
    Snorkel reefs and navigate mangrove forests in Key Largo and Islamorada, the gateway to the Florida Keys. Explore John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the nation’s first undersea park, home to diverse coral species, reef fish, and the world famous Christ of the Abyss at Dry Rocks. Discover Sombrero Reef in Marathon with it’s nearby lighthouse. Explore shallow wrecks like the City of Washington and the Benwood.
  • Day 5: Return to Key Largo & Deboarding
    Enjoy a final morning exploration, before returning to Key Largo. Disembarking is between 2 – 4pm.

Explore the Best of the Keys

Throughout the trip, the Wild Dolphin Project (WDP) will lead you through each ecosystem, offering insights into the vital connections between these habitats and their importance to the health of the ocean. Days will be spent snorkeling and kayaking through the upper and middle Keys, with visits to iconic sites like Pennekamp Park’s Christ of the Abyss, White Bank Dry Rocks, and Grecian Rocks. You’ll also explore historic shipwrecks such as the City of Washington, Benwood, and the Pickle Barrel wreck. As we journey through Molasses and Sombrero Reef, you’ll have the chance to observe the rich diversity of marine life up close.

LINK to our Online Store to purchase trip

Trips take place during the months of November and December. For more information or questions, please contact Sam our trip coordinator at 561-575-5660 or email wdptrips@wilddolphinproject.org

Did you Know

Spotted dolphin calves are unspotted and look like young bottlenose dolphins.

Spotted dolphins regurgitate hard, indigestible parts of their food, such as squid beaks and fish vertebrae.

As spotted dolphins grow up they learn how to behave from their mothers and also from siblings, peers, and elders in the society.

Juvenile spotted dolphins babysit younger spotteds.

As a spotted dolphin grows up, its role and responsibilities in the dolphin community change Sometimes spotted dolphins travel, forage for food, and socialize with bottlenose dolphins.

 

Atlantic spotted dolphins are relatively unstudied, compared to their pan-tropical cousins who have been slaughtered in the tuna nets.

Spotted dolphins use their signature whistles in many different ways, including initiating contact with other dolphins.

Spotted dolphins can be identified over long periods of time by spot patterns, by flukes, and by dorsal fins.

For further learning, visit the Dolphin Communication, Dolphin Videos, Scientific Publications pages and watch our latest documentary from PBS’s Changing Seas series, Dolphins: Breaking The Code” and Dr. Herzing’s TED Talk.

Education

Dolphin Word Search Puzzle
Answer the questions and search for their answers in the word search puzzle.

Dolphin Food Pyramid
Match the names of the prey to their pictures in the Dolphin Food Pyramid.

Dolphin Picture
Label the parts of the dolphin and color! Think of other animals that share the ocean with the dolphins, like predators and prey, and draw them in. Are there researchers in your picture?

Interested in Careers in Marine Mammal Science?
Visit the Society for Marine Mammalogy Careers page for more information.

To report a marine mammal stranding please call 1-888-404-FWCC

Disclosure Statement

A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free within the state 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352). Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com (CH3673)

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