|
Cocoa Beach Manatee Watch |
|
Captain Ben Evans is a Master Naturalist and science teacher with an advanced
degree in Biogeography/Education. |
|
|
Wildside Tours is an eco-tour which provides an exciting and educational opportunity to view a real mangrove eco-system, the Banana River, and Cocoa Beach canals. A typical experience would include up close and personal viewing of manatees, dolphins, and a constantly changing array of shore birds. Because our tours are limited to 20 persons you will get a more personal tour and our boat can go into the smaller canals that the larger tour boats can't. This is an ideal way to explore the thousand islands of Cocoa Beach. These delta islands were formed thousands of years ago when hurricane force storms cut through the barrier islands of Florida. The Banana River and the Thousand Islands are a part of the greater Indian River Lagoon and estuary system. Come see this incredible, fragile, dynamic eco-system; only 50 miles from Orlando!
|
|
Capt. Ben is a retired science teacher, Masters degree in Biogeography/Education.
|
|
|
Eco and Nature Tours
Enjoy an educational eco-tour of the Banana River and the beautiful Thousand Islands nature preserve in Cocoa Beach, Florida on a comfortable 22 passenger catamaran. We run daily trips for 2 and 1/2 hours, leaving from Ramp Road City park in Cocoa Beach. During manatee season (March-November) we will find these gentle, curious creatures in the residential canals, as well as the open channels. The Indian River estuary system is the most bio-diverse area in North America. The scenery is spectacular. Birders, photographers, boaters and anyone who loves the outdoors will want to participate in this tour. Captain Ben narrates the tour, sharing his knowledge and appreciation of the diverse habitats and species. Each 10-15 mile trip is unique. The catamaran, with comfortable, wrap-around seating, allows passengers to move around for optimal viewing and to interact with the crew. The stability of the catamaran provides an excellent platform for photographing wildlife. The sun cover and onboard restroom add to customer comfort and relaxation. We provide free soft drinks and water and have binoculars on board for your use.
|
|
|
Sunset Cruises
Sunset Cruises are popular during the dry season (November-May) and last
for 2 hours. You will still enjoy a narrated tour of the eco-system along the
Banana River and Thousand Islands and will see tropical birds, dolphins and
other plant and animal species. Manatees return to the area in March. It’s a beautiful,
quiet time of the day to sit back, relax and enjoy a Thousand Island sunset that
is as gorgeous as any you will ever see.
Since cruises begin 2 hours before sunset and times vary throughout the year,
please call to make reservations and to determine departure time and dates. The
cost is the same as the morning cruise, $29 for adults (plus $1 launch fee and
$2 tax) and $18 for children 16 and younger (plus $1 launch fee and $1 tax).
For reservations and times, call 1-800-695-1770, 1-321-799-5495.
|
|
|
Specialty Tours
Space shuttle launches, rocket launches, boat parades, holiday parties,
etc will be announced as they occur. These trips are popular and tend to fill
up in advance.
Call 1-800-695-1770 or 1-321-799-5495 for information.
Watch the spectacular shuttle launches from the Wildside boat for an unobstructed view. The launch dates and times are listed, although all are subject to change. Feb. 7, 4:39 am (will not do this one unless the time is changed for later in the day).......March 18, Discovery at 1:34 pm.........May 14, Atlantis at 2:28 pm...........July 29, Endeavor at 7:51 am.........September 16, Discovery at 11:57 am. Cost is $38 per adult and $30 per child, ages 2-16. Resevations are required; call 321-799-5495. Free soft drinks, beer, snacks and bottled water are provided.
|
|
|
Fishing trips:
Captain Ben has over 20 years experience as professional fishing guide.
For a comfortable half day of family river fishing, we’re a great choice!
Fish in comfort on the tour boat, with live and cut bait provided. Bring the
kids; having been a teacher, Capt. Ben enjoys teaching children to fish.
For the more experienced fishermen, the 20 foot Newport skiff allows
casting lures and live bait while drifting the grass flats and poking into the
mangroves. This does require some skill as an angler.
We also do near-shore, 4-hour trips from Cape Canaveral when the migratory
fish are biting.
Rates:
River Fishing: $49 adults; $29 children under 17 (4-person minimum)
Ocean, near-shore trips: $300 to charter the boat for 4 hours (up to 6 people).
For reservations, call 1-800-695-1770 or 1-321-799-5495. |
|
|
Cancellation Policy:
If we cancel a trip due to inclement weather, you can either reschedule or will
receive a full refund. (See weather below) If you cancel a trip 72 hours before
departure, you will get a full refund. If you cancel 24-71 hours before
departure, you will get a 50% refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before
departure, there will be no refund.
Weather:
Coast Guard regulations (and the desire for each trip to be safe and enjoyable)
require that we may have to cancel a trip on short notice due to weather
conditions. If there is a greater than 50% chance of a thunderstorm or small
craft warning due to winds, we will usually cancel or attempt to reschedule.
Therefore we need to have your cell phone or local phone number to notify you.
We also encourage you to call us to confirm within 24 hours of departure time.
You will get a full refund if you are unable to reschedule. Please bring a
jacket or windbreaker because it always feels much cooler at cruising speed in
the open river. |
|
|