Dolphins!  Dolphins!  Dolphins and kayaking at the Marineland Dolphin Conservation Center!

In our continuing effort to provide the best eco-educational kayaking experiences in Northeast Florida,  Ripple Effect Ecotours has partnered with Marineland and the University of Florida's Whitney Lab for Marine Bioscience.  This partnership combines an incredible foundation in reaserch, education, conservation, and natural interpretation with unique access to the southern boundary of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM-NERR).  This is the perfect kayaking location to explore the Jordon and Mellon Island Sites that are part of Faver-Dykes State Park, The Princess Place Preseve, and the Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve.  This biologically rich area has been described as "the cornerstone behind the nomination of the Matanzas River as the 25th National Estuarine Research Reserve of the United States".  This is where the Matanzas Inlet, one of the only natural inlets on the east coast of Florida, collides with one of the most pristine, undeveloped streams in Florida, The Pellicer Creek.  We are excited to offer comprehensive ecological kayak tours in this beautiful coastal system.  Tours are $50 per person which includes admission into the Marineland Dolphin Conservation Center, guided tour, and photos taken by your naturalist guide!  Don't miss this opportunity to visit the dolphins of Marineland, including several calves born this past year, and also the chance to witness their natural habitat in the Matanzas River with kayak only access in this "Real" Florida landscape nestled in 30,000 acres of pristine coastal habitat.  All this from the low-impact, unique perspective of a kayak!  Appropriate for ages 6 and up.  No experience Required.  Reservations Required. Call (904)347-1565 or reserve online at www.RippleEffectEcotours.com!

Directions:

Marineland is 18 miles south of St. Augustine and located right on the beach.  The kayak tour launches from the University of Florida's Whitney Lab that is just across the street from Marineland.  Heading south on A1A, you will turn right just before the traffic light in the town of Marineland.  Follow the signs about 100 yards to the "Center for Marine Studies" which is the new, large building all the way in the back right on the Matanzas River. The address for The Whitney Laboratory is 9505 Ocean Shore Blvd. St. Augustine, FL 32080