Eco-Dive/Snorkel
Tour at a Glance | Experience Required | Cost | Itinerary
What’s Included | Certifications
Experience the unique biodiversity of South Florida’s beautiful coral reefs by snorkel or SCUBA as you participate in hands-on reef research.
The tour at a glance:
- Experience the unique biodiversity of the reefs of the keys on SCUBA or snorkel.
- Participate in hands-on reef research efforts by collecting data for the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) and/or the Mote Marine Laboratory
- Learn about coral reef ecology and reef fish identification from local marine biologist experts and dive instructors
- Earn up to 3 P.A.D.I. specialty certifications or skin diver advancement certifications
- SCUBA divers also have the option of earning P.A.D.I. Advanced Open Water
- Take pride in supporting Mote Marine Lab, Project A.W.A.R.E., or Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) as a portion of your costs is donated to one of your choice of the above organizations on your behalf.
Experience Required:
There is no previous experience necessary for the snorkel option as a snorkel orientation is included. However, it is strongly recommended that all participants have basic swimming ability.
The S.C.U.B.A. option requires P.A.D.I. Open Water dive certification or equivalent.
Costs:
The basic snorkel experiences start at $60, while S.C.U.B.A. experiences start at $150.
This cost covers a full day of instruction including a morning classroom discussion and one boat trip (two dive/snorkel sessions per trip). The activity can be customized to the level of training you desire and the number of dive/snorkel sessions you wish. All of this impacts the cost of the tours, causing their prices to vary significantly.
When you purchase any of our tours, you’ll automatically get 10% off a second tour of equal or lesser value. This offer is good for one year from the purchase of the first tour. In addition, kids under 12 years of age get a 10% discount on every tour.
Please call us at 1-877-99-GO-ECO, or e-mail us at info@goecokeys.com, to discuss specific pricing for your tour.
Itinerary:
Classroom component:
- Classroom Component: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Learn about the ecology and biodiversity of the third largest bank reef in the world. Lessons vary depending on certifications desired. Snorkel orientation and dive activity briefings also provided.
- Eco-Dives/Snorkels: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Conservation dive/snorkels onboard custom dive boats in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Research activities will vary depending on certifications desired.
What’s included:
- S.C.U.B.A. diving or snorkeling off a vessel in the offshore waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
- Classroom tutorial & observation
- Underwater research activities with a marine biologist, which may include: fish population monitoring, coral bleaching and/or disease monitoring or a combination of these activities.
- Water, snorkel gear, tanks and weights provided – S.C.U.B.A. gear available for rent
- EcoKeys t-shirt
Certifications:
S.C.U.B.A. Option
Choose one or more of the following:
- P.A.D.I. Project A.W.A.R.E Coral Reef Conservation
- Learn about coral reef ecology and conservation in the classroom, followed by a briefing on coral diseases and threats that scientists are monitoring. During your dives, you’ll assist in this monitoring by recording location and amount of coral damage observed. This data is submitted to Mote Marine Laboratory.
- P.A.D.I. Marine Resource Management Distinctive Specialty
- Learn about how marine areas are managed all over the world, particularly in the FL Keys. You’ll also learn how to identify fish species common to the FL Keys. During your dives, you’ll assist REEF in monitoring fish populations by identifying and recording fish you observe.
- P.A.D.I. Project A.W.A.R.E Specialist
- Complete the coral reef conservation specialty, the Marine Resource Management specialty and earn your “level 2″ fish identification rating through REEF to receive your AWARE specialist certification. This certification requires 1.5 days (1 morning classroom session and 4 dives)
- P.A.D.I. Advanced Open Water Diver
- Combine the coral reef conservation specialty with four other advanced level dives to complete your Advanced Open Water certification. A textbook is required at an additional cost.
Please note: A total of six dives (two days) are required for the Advanced Open Water certification. EcoKeys can provide P.A.D.I. Advanced Open Water certifications if you have already earned a P.A.D.I. Open Water certification or the equivalent.
Snorkel Option
Choose one or more of the following:
- Skin Diver Coral Reef Conservation
- Learn about coral reef ecology and conservation in the classroom, followed by a briefing on coral diseases and threats that scientists are monitoring. During your snorkels, assist in this monitoring by recording location and amount of coral damage observed. This data is submitted to Mote Marine Laboratory.
- Skin Diver Fish Identification
- Learn how to identify fish species commonly seen on the reefs of the keys. During your snorkels, you will assist REEF in monitoring fish populations by identifying and recording fish you observe.
- Skin Diver Coral Reef Research
- Complete the coral reef conservation certificate, the Fish Identification certificate and earn your “level 2” fish ID rating through REEF to receive your coral reef specialist certificate.
Please Note: Up to two certifications listed above can be completed per boat trip. You can also choose to complete more dives in the following days to contribute more data and possibly earn higher levels of certification. Each subsequent boat trip will cost an additional $80 per trip for divers, $40 per trip per snorkeler, plus $20 if a new certification is to be completed.
Please call us at 1-877-99-GO-ECO, or e-mail us at info@goecokeys.com, to customize your program and determine the price.
