Great Eco-Friendly Florida Tourist
Attractions
Gulf
Specimen Marine Lab
Many marine exhibits focus on the big creatures of the sea, but
the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab concentrates on the small ñ
creatures so tiny that you might not even spot them. This research
facility tries to protect marine life and has an every changing
array of sea life. It's a great chance to get hands-on and see,
hear and touch animals such as starfish, whelks, clams and sand
dollars. See sea horses, hermit crabs, rays and more. You can
see between 100-200 species on your visit ñ if you can
spot them hiding in the shrubbery.
PO Box 237,
Panacea, FL
Phone: 850-984-5297
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is part of the John F
Kennedy Space Center. The site is a whopping 140,000 acres, encompassing
estuaries, marshes, forests and coastal dunes. When you visit
the refuge you will see migratory wild birds as well as endangered
species such as the West Indian manatee, the peregrine falcon,
the green sea turtle, the eastern indigo snake and many others.
You can view the wildlife on a seven mile self guided drive through
the marshes or hike through one of four trails.
P.O. Box 6504,
Titusville, FL
Phone: 321-861-0667
National
Key Deer Refuge
One hundred miles south east of Miami and 30 miles north east
of Key West is the National Key Deer Refuge, which covers 84,000
acres. It's the habitat of the Key Deer, an endangered species,
of which approximately 800 remain. The refuge also shelters five
species unique to this region and 16 other threatened species
of plants and animals. As well as the deer, you can see migratory
birds, observe the wildlife and walk the extensive nature trails.
You can also look out over Big Pine Key from the Blue Hole, a
former quarry which is now home to a wide range of animals.
179 Key Deer Blvd.,
Big Pine Key Plaza,
Big Pine Key, FL
Phone: 305-872-2239
Theater
of the Sea
If you want to swim with dolphins, sea turtles and rays, then
the Theater of the Sea gives you the chance. Located in Islamorada,
this unique attraction is a marine animal park which blends entertainment
with conservation. Dolphins, sea lions, turtles, tropical fish,
stingrays, alligators and sharks are just some of the marine
animals on show, while there are also parrots and birds of prey.
This area has been a park since 1946. There is also a snorkel
cruise in the Atlantic Ocean where you can visit other state
parks and explore Florida's marine life.
84721 Overseas Hwy,
Islamorada, FL
Phone: 305-664-2431
The
Turtle Hospital
The Turtle Hospital aims to care for injured sea turtles, educate
the public about them, do research and keep the marine environment
safe for turtles. It has treated and released more than 750 sea
turtles since it was founded in 1986. You can tour the hospital
throughout the year and see the rehabilitation of loggerheads,
leatherbacks, hawksbills, green turtles and Kemp's Ridley turtles.
There are usually around 45 turtles on site, including 14 that
live permanently on site because their injuries are too severe
to release them.
2396 Overseas Highway,
Marathon, FL
Phone: 305-743-2552
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