Specialty Boat Tours Ramp Up at MDC

Marine Discovery Center prides itself on offering quality boat and kayak ecotours – led by certified Florida Coastal and Master Naturalists – that introduce locals and visitors to the amazing ecosystem that is the Indian River Lagoon.

In addition to our regular tour lineup, we often lead specialty tours throughout the year. This winter our specialty tour schedule is really heating up and includes both returning favorites and brand new offerings!

NEW! Know What’s Below Science Ecotour
Tuesday, December 10 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Join a naturalist and learn all about what swims, floats, sinks, and drifts in this 2-hour in-depth exploration of the Indian River Lagoon. Discover what’s below the surface as our guide leads guests on a scientific journey to take a closer look at pollution, phytoplankton, and plastics. Become a scientist as you take a look into a microscope to better understand the unseen world around us. This tour is new but is planned to occur monthly.

Full Moon Boat and Kayak Tours
Wednesday, December 11 | 4:15 – 6:15 pm
Thursday, December 12 | 5:00 – 7:00 pm

Come out for a spectacular 2-hour evening excursion on the water and watch the full moon rise either from a seat on our 40-passenger pontoon boat OR from a single or tandem kayak. Let one of our certified Florida naturalists teach you about the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem while you observe mangroves, birds, dolphins and more. As the sun sets and splashes vibrant colors across the sky, sit back and enjoy your view of the beautiful full moon as it rises over the horizon. Full Moon tours occur monthly.

Disappearing Island Adventure Tour
Thursday, December 12 | 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

This special 3-hour tour will take guests on a journey through the Indian River Lagoon to experience wildlife from the water AND on foot. Begin your adventure with a boat ecotour narrated by one of our Florida Coastal Naturalists and have the chance to see dolphins, manatees, birds, and other wildlife. Soon you’ll have your chance to disembark onto a favorite local spot, Disappearing Island, where you’ll walk with a certified naturalist to learn more about the native coastal creatures that live in tidal pools, along shorelines and in native plants. Activities may include seine netting and dip netting to learn more about fish, crabs and other saltwater species. Then climb back aboard the boat for a relaxing trip back to the dock. Island Adventure Tours occur monthly (except summer months).

SOLD OUT!
Deck the Hulls: Boat Parade Watch Party
Saturday, December 14 | 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Come out on our 40-passenger pontoon boat, Discovery, and get right in on the viewing action for New Smyrna Beach’s annual Boat Parade! We’ll depart our dock at 6 and head out around Chicken Island for the best view in town of all the decorated vessels. We’ll provide a cheese and fruit platter and festive music. Feel free to bring snacks. Dress for the weather and show off your best fun holiday attire! Ages 18+ only. $35 adults / $32 seniors THIS TOUR IS SOLD OUT

NSB History Mystery Tour This tour has been cancelled for December.
~~Thursday, December 19 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm~~

Take a 2-hour cruise into history as our guides introduce you to the city’s colorful, interesting past from the comfort of MDC’s 40 passenger boat, “Discovery”. We’ll take a look back through time and discover the colonial origins of New Smyrna, discuss interesting landmarks like Old Fort Ruins, learn about the Timucuans who originally inhabited this land, touch on important moments in history like the Civil War and Prohibition, and much more! History Mystery Tours occur monthly.

Winter Birding Boat Ecotour
January 9, February 13, March 19, April 9
9:30 am – 12:30 pm

This special seasonal 3-hour tour on the Discovery boat will leave our dock and head north to Disappearing Island, where birding enthusiasts will disembark and spend two hours exploring this large sand bar, looking for winter migratory birds. Guidance will be offered to less-experienced birders and there will opportunities for novice birders to learn more about birds from highly experienced guests on the trip from local Audubon chapters. Birding Tours are seasonal and occur January-April each year.