September Boat Tours

September Boat Tours

Description of Experience

Join us for a fun and educational 1.5-hour excursion aboard FAU Harbor Branch’s pontoon tour boat, the Discovery! During this experience, an expert guide will discuss the wildlife encountered as well as the research that the Institute conducts to better understand and protect the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem. Participants will have the opportunity to experience the lagoon like never before - as a marine scientist aboard a floating laboratory with state-of-the-art-tools. Activities include interpreting real-time water quality data from the Indian River Lagoon Observatory Network, surveying underwater habitats with a remotely operated vehicle, and identifying wildlife of all sizes, from microscopic plankton to sharks, rays, manatees, and dolphins.

About the Indian River Lagoon: Designated as an aquatic preserve and Estuary of National Significance, the Lagoon is one of the most biologically diverse estuaries in North America. Spanning 156 miles along Florida's east coast, it is home to more than 4,000 plant and animal species, including 50 threatened or endangered species. FAU Harbor Branch is a leader in Indian River Lagoon research and education, with a goal of conserving this vital ecosystem for generations to come.

Preparing for your Tour

Please arrive at the FAU Harbor Branch Johnson Education Center 15 minutes before the start of your tour. Guests will not be allowed on campus more than 30 minutes before the start of the tour. All boat tours leave on time, rain or shine, and latecomers may not be accommodated. The tour will be an hour and a half in lenth. We are committed to making our tours accessible to as many individuals as possible. However, due to the nature of this tour, guests must be able to walk down 10 steps and then step onto the pontoon boat. This experience is recommended for guests of all ages. Guests 18 and older must bring photo identification and are encouraged to bring include a hat, umbrella, water bottle, comfortable shoes, and a camera.

Cancellation Guidelines

FAU Harbor Branch Boat Tours are nonrefundable. Changes to reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

Please note, this charge will appear on your credit card statement as FL Atlantic University. If you have questions about a charge or your statement, please call us before contacting your credit card company.

If FAU Harbor Branch cancels a tour due to inclement weather or low registration numbers, a refund or credit will be provided. Tour cancellations are at the discretion of our boat captain and outreach staff. In the event of a cancellation, we will notify you no later than 1 hour before the tour's scheduled departure time.

Directions

FAU Harbor Branch is located at 5600 US 1 North, Fort Pierce, Florida, 34946. Our main entrance is located on the east side of US 1, between Indrio Rd. and Kings Hwy/ Turnpike Feeder Rd. in northern Fort Pierce. All boat tours leave directly from the Johnson Education Center, which is located on the main portion of the FAU Harbor Branch Campus (to the east of Old Dixie Highway). From US 1, turn east at the FAU Harbor Branch entrance and go straight onto Harbor Branch Way. At the stop sign, turn right onto Ocean Studies Drive and drive past the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center (the blue building on the right). At the intersection with Old Dixie Highway, go straight through the traffic light and across the railroad tracks. Use the visitor’s lane on the left-hand side to access the gatehouse and provide the name(s) on your reservation and photo identification (for guests 18 and older) to be granted access to campus. The attendant will direct you to make a right hand turn and follow the road until it ends in the parking lot in front of a 2-story building (the Johnson Education Center) where you will check in and board the pontoon boat.www.fau.edu/hboi/about/location-maps/.

Contact Us

If you have questions or need assistance, please call 772-242-2293. If you do not receive your confirmation email within 24 hours of making your reservation, please notify us so we can resend it.

Price:

$42.80