You Point, We Paddle! Stress Relief is Our Specialty.

Wildlife Research Team invites YOU to join us in the observance of Nature in a serendipitous experience, fulfilling you with an outstanding and understanding adventure of your own desire. Our personalized service offers you the choice to paddle if you like or just sit back and allow us to Guide and Glide you throughout the wonders of Nature, as you feel the layers of stress melt away.

We provide a perfection of privacy for artists, dreamers, photographers, birdwatchers, lovers of wildlife...those who want to play or just get away for an hour...or for a day. Relax as you witness Nature without causing her distress. Your silent craft leaves but ripples...no mark of passage, no fumes, no impact.

Ask us about our pick-up and delivery service from your home, hotel, dorm, or retirement home. Senior citizen discount available. Discover South Florida's surprising scenic jewels--a true getaway minutes from your front door!

All ages are welcome. We encourage those with physical handicaps to participate.

Call us NOW to schedule your personalized adventure!
Florida West Coast: (941) 474-6133 Florida East Coast: (954) 630-0097
Click here to learn about the animals and plants whose habitat you will be visiting!

Cool, cotton, longsleeved, buttoned shirt with collar. Long, loose sleeves and a collar will help protect you from the sun much more than a t-shirt or swimsuit could. Long sleeves serve to shade your arms from direct sunlight, especially if they are loose, because then the fabric is away from your skin. Cotton is a breathable fabric that will help stop the sun, but not the cool breeze.
Long, loose, lightweight cotton or Supplex nylon shorts, pants, or chinos. Loose pants give the most comfort and ease of movement in a canoe. They will dry easily and help to shade your legs from the sun. Don't wear jeans! Why? Whether tight or loose, jeans dry slowly and are horrendously uncomfortable when wet. They can soak up a great deal of water causing them to become irritatingly heavy as well as being a source of constant dampness against your skin.
Shoes you don't mind getting wet: old sneakers, Teva-type sandals, or watersocks. Flip-flops are NOT recommended. Find shoes with good traction on the soles in case of slippery mud, and make sure they will stay on your feet in case the mud we encounter is sticky or deep.
A cool, shady hat. One with a brim all around would be best because it would shade your ears and neck, as opposed to a baseball cap which has a brim in only one direction. A chin strap is a good idea in case of wind.
Sunglasses (polarized lenses preferred). Sunglasses allow you to be more comfortable in an environment in which bright sunlight may be shining not only down from the sky, but also reflecting upward from the water all around you. Polarized lenses are preferable because they filter out most reflections and glare, allowing you to see the fascinating world under the surface of the water.

A small bottle of water. For hotter days, it may be a good idea to fill a plastic bottle one-third of the way with water and then freeze it overnight. The next day, before you leave, fill the bottle the rest of the way with water and take it with you. The ice in the bottle will help keep your water cool for hours.
Sunblock (spf 15+ is recommended). Do not forget to put it on small, vulnerable, often overlooked places such as your ears, nose, hands, and ankles if they show.
Insect repellent (in some areas). There are some types of repellent with sunblock included and vice-versa.
A camera with plenty of film. This is a must! We are likely to encounter animals, plants, and beautiful landscapes that you will want to remember forever.

We will provide a cooler and ice, as well as all boating and safety equipment.

All excursions are dependent upon weather conditions. Decisions will be made at the point of departure and trips will be rescheduled if necessary. Please also keep in mind that your WRT guides are trained and knowledgeable, and that you should trust their assessment of any situation regarding your trip.

The Wildlife Research Team provides all boating materials. Your mode of transportation during your adventure will be one of the Team's many canoes. This section will help you familiarize yourself with the boat that will be your means of exploring the natural world.

Canoes, just like all vehicles, have technical terms to describe their parts. Knowledge of these words can improve your canoeing experience by clarifying advice or instructions from your guide.

Bow: Rhymes with "cow." The bow is the front end of a boat.
Stern: The back end of a boat. A multi-person (tandem) canoe is steered from the stern.
Gunwale: Pronounced "gunnel," this refers to the top of the sides of the canoe.
Thwart: Thwarts are the crossbars that span the width of the inside of the canoe. They help the canoe hold its shape. Don't ever sit on them, because if the thwarts bend out of shape the canoe might close up like a venus flytrap.
Line: A rope attached to the bow or stern of a boat, to serve the function of securing the boat to a dock, tree or other earthbound mooring, is called a "line." Yes, it is a rope, but since it is serving a higher purpose as the connection between earth and water and you, it is more appropriate to call it by its proper name.
Freeboard: This is the distance between the waterline and the gunwales. If you have too little freeboard, the canoe is overloaded and rides too low in the water, which can present problems (like waves in your lap).
Deck: You might think that a canoe does not have decks, if you think of them only as a flat surface on a boat that you can walk around on. The decks of a canoe are small flat places on top at the bow and stern. They are useful for strengthening the structure of the canoe and many of them have a small compartment underneath.

The canoe you ride in will include one or more of the following.

Your Guide: Your friendly WRT Guide has volunteered to guide you through your fun and educational explorations.
Seat Backs: These are attachments for the seats of a canoe. They provide back support and can make your journey much more comfortable.
Paddle: The paddle is the means of locomotion for a canoe. It is not an "oar," and use of the paddle is referred to as "paddling," not "rowing."
Sponge: This is a large sponge that is used to soak up the water that splashes into the canoe.
Scoop: Usually made from a recycled Clorox jug, the scoop is used to bail larger amounts of water out of the canoe.
Ballast: Essentially, just stuff to even out the weight distribution in a canoe or any other boat. If the weight in a boat is improperly balanced, it can be difficult to steer. (An additional passenger can serve this purpose in a pinch.)

We eagerly await your wilderness adventure!