Overview
South Florida holds many natural treasures with one of the most fragile ecosystems in the world. Our tour will encompass some of the natural and cultural heritage of this region.
A day at Ft Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas affords some fascinating American Heritage, snorkeling of inshore coral heads, and birding opportunities on Garden and Bush Keys.
While in Key West you will have a free day to explore the city’s eclectic and rich cultural heritage and partake of its famous Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square. Many attractions await in addition to nature-related Butterfly and Nature Conservancy plus the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center with an excellent video presentation about the Keys habitat and coral reefs.
Our journeys to and from Key Kest present interesting facts about Native American Indians, the wrecking industry that made many Key Westers millionaires, Henry Flagler’s folly— (the Florida East Coast Railroad), and the Overseas Highway.
Five Dinners are leisurely at local family-style restaurants, lunches are picnic style and breakfasts are at the hotel in Key West and at a local restaurant in Key Largo.
Our Program
Unless otherwise specified, the Group Leader will lead all lectures, field trips, and birding exercises. Transportation throughout the program will be provided by passenger vans unless otherwise noted.
Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Evenings at leisure offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable through personal independent exploration, engaging in available activities on your own, or simply relaxing and making new friends among fellow participants. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions.
STARTING AT
$2,030
SINGLE: $2,950.08
Meals at local restaurants
6 Nights of Lodging
7 Expert-led field trips
Itinerary
DAY 1: ORIENTATION
INDEPENDENT ARRIVALS:
Complimentary shuttle from Miami Airport to Ocean Pointe Suites. The meeting location is Terminal H Baggage Claim # 6 at 2:45 PM. Hotel Check-In starts at 4:00 pm for those who decide to go directly to Ocean Pointe.
ORIENTATION:
Program Registration & Orientation: 5:30 p.m. We will gather in our reserved room in the downstairs Welcome Center Area of the hotel for registration and get your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, and other important information. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check-in.
DINNER:
At a local restaurant.
DAY 2: MANGROVE WALK/KAYAKING
BREAKFAST:
At a local restaurant.
MORNING:
Mangrove walk at John Pennekamp State Park leads by your group leader.
LUNCH:
At a local restaurant.
AFTERNOON:
Kayaking will be out on the water for approximately 60-90 minutes. During the field trip, we will learn about the natural Keys environment and how the mangroves help protect our coastal shorelines and provide clear clean water and nutrients for marine life and our living coral reefs.
DINNER:
At a local restaurant
DAY 3: DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER/KEY WEST
BREAKFAST:
At a local restaurant.
MORNING:
After check out we’ll ride in our van for a field trip to the Dolphin Research Center, a non-profit organization, which provides care for dolphins that can’t survive in the wild. You will explore this working research facility, learn how dolphins are fed and cared for, and observe the dolphins swimming about. You will have the opportunity in a private session with one of the education staff members to ask any questions about the Dolphins and the research center.
LUNCH:
At a local Restaurant
AFTERNOON:
Continue our trip to Key West and hotel check-in and go to Sunset Celebration.
DINNER:
At a local restaurant
DAY 4: DRY TORTUGAS
BREAKFAST:
Aboard of Yankee Freedom III. The Yankee Freedom III is a high speed, state-of-the-art, all-aluminum catamaran recognized worldwide for safety, performance, and passenger comfort.
MORNING:
En route to Dry Tortugas National Park, our tour director will give you an orientation about the area and the national park’s surroundings. While navigating to the park you will enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Marquesa Islands, Boca Grande, have an opportunity to see turtles and dolphins, and listen to pirate legends. Upon arrival to the Park, enjoy a guided walking tour of Ft. Jefferson and its role in history as you learn about its role in US history.
LUNCH:
At the catamaran.
AFTERNOON:
Enjoy snorkeling (equipment provided), bird watching, a naturalist-guided moat walk or just relax on a rarity in the Keys – a sandy beach.
Snorkeling Dry Tortugas National Park offers some of the best snorkeling and skin diving in North America. The shallow waters (5-15 feet) make snorkeling at the Dry Tortugas fun for everyone. Whether beginner or expert, you can enjoy an abundance of colorful tropical fish and living coral among the waters.
DINNER:
At a local restaurant.
EVENING:
The tour director will provide ideas of things to do on your free day.
DAY 5: FREE
Free day.
DAY 6: TURTLE HOSPITAL/FAREWELL DINNER
BREAKFAST:
At the hotel
MORNING:
Hotel Check out. On our way back to Key Largo, we’ll stop to visit the Turtle Hospital. Where we will take a guided educational tour of the hospital facilities and the sea turtle rehabilitation area. This educational experience lasts approximately 90 minutes and provides a presentation on sea turtles, as well as a behind the scenes, look at the hospital facilities and rehabilitation area. At the end of each program, guests are invited to feed the permanent residents.
LUNCH:
At a local restaurant.
AFTERNOON:
Hotel Check-In. Free time to enjoy the hotel.
DINNER:
At a local restaurant.
DAY 7: END OF TOUR
BREAKFAST:
At a local restaurant.
MORNING:
Return to Miami Airport approx. arrival time at 11:00 am. End of tour.
Lodging
Please check date for available hotel options
OCEAN POINTE SUITES AT KEY LARGO
UNIQUE FEATURES
Ocean Pointe is an all-suite resort located directly on the Atlantic Ocean. Their 60 acres are part of a protected mangrove forest and is entered through a private gatehouse and road. Your vacation begins the moment you drive through our gatehouse entrance into their beautifully landscaped tropical grounds and enter your spacious room
FACILITY AMENITIES:
Oversized heated swimming pool with whirlpool spa
Free tennis on 2 lighted courts
Marina with boat ramp and rental slips
Waterfront cafe and lounge
Small, private white sand beach, volleyball court and kayak rentals
Courtesy guard at gatehouse
For kids there is also a children's play area.
Additional Nights: Call Hotel directly for additional nights, mention you are part of GL Explorers Group.
24 NORTH HOTEL
UNIQUE FEATURES
Key West offers accommodations in Key West. The hotel has an outdoor pool and fitness center, and guests can enjoy a drink at the bar.
All rooms are fitted with a flat-screen TV. Certain rooms feature a sitting area for your convenience. The rooms are equipped with a private bathroom equipped with a bathtub and bathtub or shower. For your comfort, you will find free toiletries and a hairdryer. You will find a 24-hour front desk at the property.
FACILITY AMENITIES:
Free Wi-Fi
Free parking
Swimming pool
Fitness center
Bar/lounge
ROOM AMENITIES:
Air Conditioned
Alarm Clock
Cable TV
Coffeemaker
Connecting Rooms
Cordless Telephone
Free Local Calls
Hairdryer In Room
High Speed Internet
Iron
Ironing Board
Microwave
Personal Refrigerator
Queen Bed
Radio
Shower
Sitting Area
Telephone
TV
TV Remote Control
WESTWINDS INN
UNIQUE FEATURES
Enchanting 26 roomed complex of renovated, early 19th century Key West cottages located in Old Town. Traditional white trim and gingerbread charm. Courtyard paved with bricks and granite curbstones from ships’ ballast. Short walking distance to Old Seaport (where ferry to Dry Tortugas docks) and 4 blocks from Duval Street. No children under 12 allowed and Spring Breakers discouraged.
FACILITY AMENITIES:
2 Pools and jacuzzi spa surrounded by luxuriant tropical trees and shrubs, coin operated guest laundry, bicycle rentals and assistance with booking extra curricular activities.
TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION:
Transportation from Miami Airport to Ocean Pointe Suites. Complimentary for all participants arriving to Miami Airport not later than 2:00 p.m. No reservation required. Need to be at Terminal H baggage claim 6 between 2:30 pm to 2:45 pm to take advantage of this complementary service. Transportation on 12 or 15 pax vans. Note: This is a one time transportation, since we are not a shuttle company. For a Shuttle Company we recommend Keys Shuttle Co. Tel 305-289-9997. Call to coordinate time.
At the end of the tour we will be returning to Miami Airport approx. 11:00 am
Additional Nights: Call Hotel directly for additional nights, mention you are part of GL Explorers Group.
What’s Included
6 nights Accommodations (3 nights in Old Town Key West or 3 nights in New Town Key West)*
*Please check date for available hotel options
15 meals ( 6B, 4L, 5D)
7 Expert-led field trips
An experienced group leader
Customary gratuities
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Interested?
or give us a call at 800-971-3884