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!

This Field Course will provide a hands-on overview of various marine species present in South Florida. The intent of this course is to provide detailed information about local marine life and an opportunity to interact with our local marine environment.

Saltwater Studies is excited to offer this full-year comprehensive program for elementary school students that covers a variety of marine life commonly seen in Florida’s marine waters. This class series is designed as a two-year program so that topics are unique during that time frame. Students will meet for class once per month at the beach and learn about a different marine animal each month. Each year includes lessons on four vertebrate and four invertebrate marine animals. For the final class of the school year, we will enjoy a snorkeling tour in shallow offshore waters where students can spot marine life discussed during the school year.

Saltwater Studies is excited to offer this full-year comprehensive program for elementary school students that covers a variety of marine life commonly seen in Florida’s marine waters. This class series is designed as a two-year program so that topics are unique during that time frame. Students will meet for class once per month at the beach and learn about a different marine animal each month. Each year includes lessons on four vertebrate and four invertebrate marine animals. Towards the end of the school year, we will enjoy a snorkeling tour in shallow offshore waters where students can spot marine life discussed during the school year.

Saltwater Studies is excited to offer this full-year comprehensive program for elementary school students that covers a variety of marine life commonly seen in Florida’s marine waters. This class series is designed as a two-year program so that topics are unique during that time frame. Students will meet for class once per month at the beach and learn about a different marine animal each month. Each year includes lessons on four vertebrate and four invertebrate marine animals. For the final class of the school year, we will enjoy a snorkeling tour in shallow offshore waters where students can spot marine life discussed during the school year.

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 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 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.

This field course is intended to be a follow up or second part for the Florida’s Marine Animals Field Course. This Field Course will provide a hands-on overview of various marine environments present in South Florida. The intent of this course is to provide detailed information and the opportunity to interact with our local marine environment.

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.

Get ready for snorkeling season by brushing up on your fish identification skills! Participants will be provided with an overview of basic identification methods and common marine fish species seen in South Florida.