Aquatic Kenzie

Aquatic Kenzie Hi everyone! I’m Mackenzie, one of your local Gulf Coast marine biologists. My journey to the Gulf started far from the coastline.

Marine Biologist ⚓ Captain

Follow along for Science by the Shore community outreach, marine life, conservation, and marine biology adventure tours with me at Wave Cutter Charters on Pensacola Beach, FL! If you’ve ever booked a dolphin cruise or Marine Biology Adventure with Wave Cutter Charters on Pensacola Beach, you may also know me as Aquatic Kenzie. I grew up in Iowa and naturally (as a proud

child of the corn) I was dreaming of becoming a marine biologist. That dream eventually led me to the Gulf Coast, where I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees studying the incredible ecosystems right here in our local waters. Most of my research and experience has focused on seagrass ecosystems, the underwater habitats that support so much of the marine life we love to see along our coast. I strongly believe conservation starts from the ecosystem up. If we don’t protect these habitats, we lose the foundation that supports marine life throughout our oceans. Today I combine science with adventure as a master’s captain and marine biologist on Pensacola Beach. Through Aquatic Kenzie, I’ll be sharing local marine life, eco tour moments, and updates on my dockside outreach program Science by the Shoreline. If you love the ocean and learning what lives beneath the surface, you’re in the right place! 🌊

Happy World Beach Day everyone! 🌎🌊We can use this day to highlight the importance of our coastlines around the world and...
09/01/2026

Happy World Beach Day everyone! 🌎🌊

We can use this day to highlight the importance of our coastlines around the world and protect our marine environments. Our beaches are a wonderful way to learn about the marine habitats that make our coasts so special!

We're falling towards the end of our cruising season. We still run year round by the way! 🤙 But the slower season means ...
08/31/2026

We're falling towards the end of our cruising season. We still run year round by the way! 🤙 But the slower season means we get to enjoy a little summer for ourselves, fill it with our next adventures, and most importantly we get to take in all the marine life this Gulf Coast has to offer for ourselves for a second 💙

🐢 Just a reminder! 🐢Our last Science by the Shore of the season is happening NEXT SUNDAY, September 6th! This one is all...
08/30/2026

🐢 Just a reminder! 🐢

Our last Science by the Shore of the season is happening NEXT SUNDAY, September 6th!

This one is all about sea turtles 💚 in honor of our sea turtle peak hatchling season this September. There are nests that have hatched on our local beaches already, which is so exciting!

Come learn more about these incredible animals, their life cycles, the challenges they face, and what we can do to help protect them from the nest all the way to our Gulf Coast.

When: Sunday, September 6th

Location: 701 Pensacola Beach Blvd, Pensacola Beach, FL (waterside behind Shaggy's restaurant)

Time: From 12-3 PM

Please feel free to message me if you have any questions. Can't wait to see you there! 🥰

08/29/2026

Definitely caught a good one tonight and that's including the stowaway 😉✨

08/28/2026

We love those beautiful days where the gulf waters show off their true colors. ✨

When we see a larger pod like this on a high tide, it's usually the dolphins following the tide line. The tide line can be very distinguishable where the bay water meets the Gulf water. This can stir up a lot of the plankton and smaller critters that fish feed on, which then attract the larger marine life we love to see. That also includes our dolphins!

It's a circle of life out here!

It's been raining and storming all this last week but I can't wait to catch another one of these 🤙🌅✨
08/27/2026

It's been raining and storming all this last week but I can't wait to catch another one of these 🤙🌅✨

08/27/2026

You never know what you’ll find out here when we keep exploring!

On one of our ecotours, we came across this little rock covered in life. A porcelain crab was busy moving around while several anemones were attached nearby!

Porcelain crabs are small filter-feeders that use their feathery mouthparts to collect food from the water. And despite their crab-like appearance, they’re actually more closely related to squat lobsters (always a fun thing to say 😅) than a true crab.

👀🦀

08/24/2026

Storms are starting to roll in again. ⚡🌧️

We got to spend some time observing this curious nursery pod this afternoon and then had a surprise bow rider surf our push wake!

Riding the pressure wave created at the front of a moving boat is an energy-saving way for dolphins to travel. They can position themselves in the wave and let the water help carry them along. They're smart. Maybe a little too smart. 🤨

08/23/2026

A Moon Jelly AND a floating habitat 🤙

We caught this Moon Jellyfish for a quick observation, and we discovered it had a little school of fish hanging out with it too!

Moon jellies (Aurelia) are fascinating animals. They’re cnidarians, which means they’re related to corals and anemones. Their translucent bell is made mostly of water, and those delicate trailing structures contain stinging cells called nematocysts, which they use to capture tiny plankton and other prey.

The little fish we found hiding around this one took advantage of the jelly for a little extra protection and cover. Even something as simple as a jellyfish drifting through the bay can create a tiny habitat for other animals. 🪼🐟

Question: Do you know what to do if you get stung by a jellyfish?? 😏

The FINAL Science by the Shore! 🌊We’re wrapping up our 2026 Science by the Shore season on September 6th with one of our...
08/23/2026

The FINAL Science by the Shore! 🌊

We’re wrapping up our 2026 Science by the Shore season on September 6th with one of our favorites... SEA TURTLES!

September marks the beginning of sea turtle hatchling season here along our coast, and we’re celebrating with a hands-on day all about these incredible animals, their journey from nest to sea, and what we can do to help protect them.

Come explore, learn, ask questions, and get up close with the science behind our local sea turtle conservation efforts and protecting the marine ecosystems our sea turtles call home!

This will be our last true Science by the Shore event of 2026, so come join us for one more afternoon of marine science, discovery, and fun by the water!

Thank you to all of you who have come out and supported this community outreach program this year. It's been incredible. This has allowed us to grow and we will be able to bring more for our community and visitors later this year and most importantly, get a head start for next year's events.

As always… bring your curiosity! 🔬🐢💙

Address

701 Pensacola Beach Boulevard
Pensacola Beach, FL
32561

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