No Longer Available due to COVID! Our Small group Ecology Adventure is, by far, our favorite Eco adventure. With the addition of two highly capable and proven yachts, we can now accommodate up to 6 individuals including science students, scouts, church groups, basically any organization wishing to participate in authentic science based coral reef, seagrass and mangrove forest experiences. This week-long trip is specifically designed to allow small groups the opportunity to experience and participate in citizen science activities including coral restoration, coral disease assessment, mangrove restoration and general ecological discovery. We borrow from our experiences as captains, science teachers, and participants in science based solutions to the problem of coral reef decline. This program is available to groups beginning at age 11.
DAY 1- Welcome aboard! We begin with a brief orientation that begins the minute your troop arrives. Crew list are established and your yacht for the next week is waiting in her slip. Your captain will go over some of the more important safety procedures and after initial crew positions are established we will slip our moorings and begin the adventure. Once off our moorings we will pick our first destination and begin our mandatory swim and snorkel orientation. The afternoon swim will give way to our first sunset as a crew.
DAY 2- After breakfast and cleanup it is time to become familiar with our task at hand and that is the science and wonder of a living coral reef. Our staff will begin with the simple facts of coral communities. We’ll learn about their long history, their secret to a long life, and best of all how to recognize coral regeneration and data collection. After a hour of instruction we’ll set sail for our first destination for our first day as citizen scientist. Along the way, if our crew show an interest our captains will be thrilled to teach the basics of sailing. Future deck hands will learn the fundamentals of sail trim, navigators will learn dead reckoning and course plotting, helmsman will become familiar with steering 22 ton vessels through 1 to 3 foot seas. After many hours of snorkeling and exploring we will get our crew mustered for our late afternoon sail to our anchorage for the night.
Day 3- Much of day 3 is dedicated to fine tuning our Citizen Science skills. Once we all as demonstrate competency with coral identification, we’ll begin collecting and recording data. Our instrument of choice? A smart phone and social media. This process if carefully monitored by staff who understands the intricacy of quality observation as well as how to make science FUN! Day 3 also begins our introduction to underwater photography. All interested participants will recieve expert instruction from our staff and will be given ample opportunity to test their skills with the “Geek Cam”. Throughout the day we will be stopping a various snorkeling sites with plenty of time in the water exploring the many wonders of coral.
DAY 4- As we greet the morning sun on day 4 we will convene in the cockpit for the day plan. There are several options for day 4 including out island exploration, land-based sight seeing, Bahia Honda nearshore eco-discovery, explore coral nurseries, or snorkeling out plant sites. Our Captains will help guide the decision making process but in the end it will be the crews decision on the day’s activity. After a day of the chosen adventure, evening will find us safely tucked in an anchorage close to our graduate level snorkeling experience; “The Barrier Reef” . These reefs are bountiful with large fish including Goliath Grouper, Giant Parrot fish, Eagle Rays, and, if we are lucky, some reef predators. We truly save the best for last.
DAY 5- “The Barrier Reef”. This is the day all of learned skills are tested and sharpened. Weather permitting we will explore the barrier reef. Lots of BIG fish and huge coral formations. This will be also the last day to participate in the photo contest. There will be lots of opportunities for stunning underwater pictures and individual crews will all compete for awards to given in ceremony on day 6.
DAY 6- We begin with a group breakfast with all the fleet gathered together for our awards ceremony. Here we pick out the outstanding efforts as reported by our captains and acknowledge outstanding achievements. Also the “Geek Cam” award will be once again relived. Captains will then debrief their individual crews and we will take our leave and return to port. Crews will then take part in group cleanup and observe our “no trace left behind” ethos that seals our respect for the adventure. We depart as seasoned citizen scientist and maybe great sailors. One thing for sure is we will all welcome the opportunity to share the experience again.
More Questions? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
5 day/4 night High Adventure Package:
Due to COVID Pandemic this activity has been suspended indefinitely
meals, snorkel equipment, captain, fishing equipment (licence separate cost)
Once you decide on your adventure we will need a 20% deposit to lock in the date. Complete balance is due 30 days before scheduled sail. We accept personal check, cashiers check, money order and all major credit cards. Feel free to call us at 850-525-9624 or E-mail us at info@namastesailing.com . All booked charters will be confirmed within 24 hours of payment receipt.
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