01/02/2023
Join us for an amazing trip to the Florida Keys!!! This trip will cost $1,200 which includes hotel, adventures, meals at iconic Florida Keys restaurants, and travel to and from Tampa. You may join us on this trip July 10 - 14 or July 17 - 21 (sign-up information will be soon!) -
Experience the amazingly unique ecosystems of the Florida Keys. This trip offers a memorable hands-on learning experience like none other! The Florida Keys are constructed of coral reefs of ancient coral reeds and mangrove trees. There are 1,700 islands officially belonging to the Keys, though only 43 are connected by overland bridges and thus are easily accessible. Our trip will take place in what is known as the middle and lower keys from Islamorada to Key West. Participants will experience ecological concepts, as they relate to Marine Biology, and observe marine flora and fauna in their natural habitats as well as the geology and history of the Florida Keys. You 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. You will have a chance to actively explore the reef and see how it relates to the area’s seagrass beds, beach communities, sponge gardens, and mangrove habitats. Participants will swim with dolphins and hand feed by tarpon that can reach 200 pounds! You will kayak through the tunnels of mangrove trees while learning how they form. In the evening you will conduct labs where you investigate sponges and calcareous algae and the world of critters living in both. islands. While in the Keys students will visit some of the local "Conchs" favorite restaurants and experience Conch life firsthand. On the final day you will have the chance to dive deep into the legends, history, artistic legacy and natural wonders of one of Florida’s most vibrant cities as you unravel the mysteries of Old Town, Key West.
Florida Keys Itinerary
Day 1 Monday – 8:00 AM – meet and depart from Tampa (we will stop and pick up a quick lunch on the way); 4:00 PM - arrive at Looe Key Reef Resort (2 students/ room each with their own bed) and check into rooms; 5:00 PM – pizza dinner at NoName Pub; 6:30 PM – explore the bridge at No Name Key (talk about mangrove islands and may see different species of fish including nurse sharks); expectation meeting after dinner; 10:00 PM – lights out.
Day 2 Tuesday – 7:00 AM – meet for continental breakfast; 8:00 AM – charter on Looe Key Reef Resort Dive Center where students will first snorkel and explore near-shore grass communities and sponge gardens, and then the patch reefs (certified SCUBA divers may dive), students will learn about the history of the Florida Keys, explore an island and eat lunch on the boat, and after lunch they will have a chance to fish while I teach about fish identification, coloration, and other fish adaptions; 5:30 PM – dinner at Boondocks; 8:00 PM – evening lesson on the calcareous algae; 10:00 PM – lights out.
Day 3 Wednesday - 7:00 AM – meet for continental breakfast; 8:00 AM – depart for Theater of the Sea; 9:30 AM – students will learn about marine mammals and reptiles, explore the indigenous animals of the Florida Keys, attend animal shows, and snorkel at the beach with parrotfish and stingrays; students have the opportunity to swim and learn about either dolphins or Sea Lions for $200; students will eat lunch at the café at Theater of the Sea; 3:00 PM – leave Theater of the Sea and head to Robbie’s to hand feed giant tarpon and nurse sharks; 4:00 PM – head back to Looe Key Reef Resort; 6:30 PM – dinner at Looe Key Reef Resort Tiki Pub; 8:00 PM – evening lesson on the Porifera (sponges) of the Florida Keys; 10:00 PM – lights out.
Day 4 Thursday- 7:00 AM – meet for continental breakfast; 8:00 AM – charter trip to Looe Key Reef (rated #1 reef on the continental USA) with Looe Key Reef Resort Dive Center (certified SCUBA divers may dive); 2:00 PM – Lunch at Looe Key Reef Resort Tiki Pub; 3:00 PM – head to Key West to explore and learn about its history; 9:00 PM – farewell dinner at the Hard Rock Café; 11:00 PM – lights out.
Day 5 - 8:00 AM – meet for continental breakfast; 9:00 AM – pack vans and then head for Tampa (we will stop and pick up a quick lunch on the way); 4:00 PM – arrive in Tampa.
