Saltwater Studies maintains both an Aquatic Species Collection Permit and Scientific Research/Collecting Permit issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that enables us to perform sampling and collection activities during our field trips in South Florida and in Florida State Parks.
Saltwater Studies is also an approved vendor for the Family Empowerment Scholarship - Unique Abilities (formerly the Gardiner Scholarship) and the Personalized Education Program (PEP) with Step Up for Students as well as the FES-UA with the AAA Scholarship Foundation. Administration fees and some conditions may apply. Contact Saltwater Studies for details.
To view our weather and cancellation policies, please visit our Terms & Policies.
Saltwater Studies offers both secular and biblically-based events. For secular events, discussion will focus on biological information. Biblically-based events will open in prayer and discussion will include how we can see the character of God in Creation as discussed in Romans 1:20. These events close with a time of praise for God’s blessings during the field trip.
Participants will be provided with a guided tour of the shallow waters of a coastal mangrove swamp. Hand nets and buckets will be used to collect and view specimens such as crabs and fish. Please come prepared to get wet!
Participants will be provided with a guided tour of the shallow waters of a coastal mangrove swamp. Hand nets and buckets will be used to collect and view specimens such as crabs and fish. Please come prepared to get wet!
Participants will be led on a guided snorkeling adventure in the shallow water around Peanut Island. Crystal blue water, an abundance of reef fish and beautiful sea shells make this a location to remember.
Participants will be given an overview of marine species commonly seen in South Florida’s reef systems. After a brief introduction, participants will be led along an artificial reef system and snorkel tour in the crystal blue waters adjacent to Phil Foster Park in the Intracoastal Waterway.
Participants will be given an overview of marine species commonly seen in South Florida’s reef systems. After a brief introduction, participants will be led along an artificial reef system and snorkel tour in the crystal blue waters adjacent to Phil Foster Park in the Intracoastal Waterway.
Participants will be provided with an introduction to snorkeling in the shallow, protected turquoise waters of Dubois Park followed by a snorkel down the “lazy river” and through the adjacent mangrove area.
Participants will be provided with an introduction to snorkeling in the shallow, protected turquoise waters of Dubois Park followed by a snorkel down the “lazy river” and through the adjacent mangrove area.
Participants will be provided with a guided tour of the shallow waters of a coastal mangrove swamp. Hand nets and buckets will be used to collect and view specimens such as crabs and fish. Please come prepared to get wet!
Participants will be led on a guided wading tour of Whiskey Creek and participate in a FDEP-permitted scientific study. Hand nets and buckets will be used to catch species such as blue crabs, juvenile fish and hermit crabs. Species will then be identified, photographically documented and measured before being returned to the waterway. Following the event, Saltwater Studies will compile recorded data into a report and submit it to the FDEP. This is an excellent opportunity for people of all ages to be involved in citizen science! Please come prepared to get wet!
Participants will be led on a guided kayak through Whiskey Creek in Dania Beach. This is a sheltered waterway lined by mangroves that provides a great opportunity to see a variety of marine life. This is a great location to kayak during the winter months as manatees are frequently seen in the area due to the proximity to the FPL’s warm water discharge on the west side of the nearby Intracoastal Waterway.
Participants will be provided with an introduction to snorkeling in the shallow, protected turquoise waters of Dubois Park followed by a snorkel down the “lazy river” and through the adjacent mangrove area.
Participants will be provided with an introduction to snorkeling in the shallow, protected turquoise waters of Dubois Park followed by a snorkel down the “lazy river” and through the adjacent mangrove area.
Participants will be led on a guided snorkeling adventure in the shallow water around Peanut Island. Crystal blue water, an abundance of reef fish and beautiful sea shells make this a location to remember.
Participants will be led on a guided snorkeling adventure in the shallow water around Peanut Island. Crystal blue water, an abundance of reef fish and beautiful sea shells make this a location to remember.
Participants will be given an overview of marine species commonly seen in South Florida’s reef systems. After a brief introduction, participants will be led along an artificial reef system and snorkel tour in the crystal blue waters adjacent to Phil Foster Park in the Intracoastal Waterway.
Participants will be given an overview of marine species commonly seen in South Florida’s reef systems. After a brief introduction, participants will be led along an artificial reef system and snorkel tour in the crystal blue waters adjacent to Phil Foster Park in the Intracoastal Waterway.
Saltwater Studies is going shark tagging! This excursion is truly a "hands-on" experience. We will have the opportunity to participate in activities such as prepping the rigging, setting the lines, reeling in the sharks, and even placing the tag onto the shark.
Join Saltwater Studies at Bone Valley Experience in Wauchula, Florida for a dry fossil dig! Participants will first learn about shark tooth identification before being provided with sieves and shovels to search the grounds for various fossils.
Participants will enjoy a guided snorkel in the crystal blue waters off the beach at Coral Cove Park. This area has limestone formations that extend from the beach underwater, creating a unique marine habitat for a variety of fish, crustaceans and mollusks. The waters just offshore are a great location for collecting sea shells, spotting reef fish and maybe even a stone crab or two.
Participants will enjoy a guided snorkel along a series of artificial reefs. Highlights of this trip include beautiful water, a variety of marine life and numerous sea shells.
Participants will enjoy exploring one of the few naturally occurring rocky shores in South Florida. This tour begins with a basic overview of the rocky shore ecosystem before we will head out in search of marine life along the waterward side of the rocks. An excellent place to find seashells, participants are encouraged to search in the nooks and crannies of the rock face to find their beach treasures. Our tour will conclude at the south end of the park where we will explore a series of tide pools at low tide. Come prepared to scramble!
Participants will be led on a beach walk to collect shells on beautiful Tigertail Beach in Marco Island. Known for its white sand beaches and stunning turquoise water as well as its abundance of marine life, this beach is a must-see hot spot of the Florida West Coast.
Participants will be led on a guided hike through a mangrove forest where they will be given a biblical overview of the mangrove ecosystem. Chasing mangrove crabs, licking salt off mangrove leaves, listening to snapping shrimp “pop” their warnings and spotting various fish hiding in the mangrove roots are all highlights of this portion of the field trip. Following the hike, participants will be led on a guided 1.5 hour kayak through the mangroves to offer them a water-based viewpoint.
