Island Adventure Eco Tour

OVERVIEW

Observe the wonders underwater by snorkeling in the Gulf of Mexico and kayaking along the mangrove-lined islands in the backcountry. A custom-designed catamaran will bring you to the shallows, where you can snorkel in the crystal-clear waters that are teeming with marine life. The ever-changing parade of colorful creatures may include blue tangs, yellowtail parrotfish and reddish-orange wrasses. You may also spot conches, which are easily identified by their distinctive shells. Key West natives are known as conches because they consumed these shellfish in such abundance to protest taxes on food following the American Revolution. Following a buffet lunch on a remote sandbar, you will see another side of nature by kayaking through the heavily vegetated backcountry. As you will discover, coastal mangroves provide plenty of benefits. They are environmentally important as habitat for birds, a nursery of sorts for marine creatures and filters for impurities that may be in the water.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Observe a remarkable variety of marine life while snorkeling reefs in the shallows.
• Kayak through the backcountry and past the eco-friendly mangroves along the shores.
• Enjoy a buffet lunch on a secluded sandbar in the backcountry.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.