NEW SMYRNA BEACH GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Naturalist-Led Discovery Boat into the Indian River Lagoon — Homeschool Field Trip
A 3-hour, naturalist-guided boat trip from the Marine Discovery Center that explores barrier islands, local species, and a rotating thematic curriculum for K–12 students.
Naturalist-Led Discovery Boat into the Indian River Lagoon — Homeschool Field Trip.
Board the Marine Discovery Center’s Discovery boat and spend three hours on the Indian River Lagoon with a naturalist, exploring islands, encountering marine life up close, and focusing each outing on a different ecological theme; the program highlights the lagoon’s importance to more than 4,200 species of plants and animals.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A Living Estuary: Species and Habitat
The field trip centers on the Indian River Lagoon’s rich biodiversity, an estuarine system that supports more than 4,200 species of plants and animals and provides the backdrop for species ID and close-up observation.
Discovery Boat with a Naturalist
Students and adults ride aboard the Marine Discovery Center’s Discovery boat while a naturalist guides exploration of islands and marine habitats, framing each trip around a specific topic.
Rotating Themes for Hands-On Learning
Each scheduled outing carries a distinct focus—examples include endangered species, barrier islands, ocean zones, local ecosystem services, and ocean acidification—so every trip offers a different lens on the lagoon.
What the day feels like
What the Day Feels Like
You meet at the Marine Discovery Center dock, step onto the Discovery boat with a naturalist, and spend a three-hour outing moving among lagoon islands: observing wildlife, identifying native species, and learning through a focused theme that changes by date.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this field trip suits — and the limits to plan for.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Field trips run for three hours, starting at 9:30 a.m. and returning to the Marine Discovery Center dock by approximately 12:30 p.m.
Bring closed-toe water shoes, clothes that can get wet, sunscreen, and reusable water bottles.
Students and accompanying adults must both register and pay as participants; students must be accompanied by an adult.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the field trip and what are the hours?
The trip is three hours long; field trips run from 9:30 a.m. with the boat returning to the MDC dock by approximately 12:30 p.m.
Who operates the homeschool field trip?
The Marine Discovery Center operates the Homeschool Exploration Field Trip aboard the Discovery boat.
What age range is this trip appropriate for?
The program is intended for Kindergarten through 12th-grade students.
Do students need an accompanying adult?
Yes. Students must be accompanied by an adult, and both students and adults must register and pay as participants.
Are the field trips themed?
Yes. Each trip has a different focus—examples include Endangered Species, Barrier Islands, Ocean Zones, Thankful for the IRL, and Ocean Acidification on the dates listed.
What should participants bring on the boat?
Participants should bring closed-toe water shoes, clothes that can get wet, sunscreen, and reusable water bottles.