WildSide Tours Boat coming to 499 Ramp Road City Park for Thousand Islands Eco Tour Photo by Eileen Ludwig
WildSide tours an Eco Friendly tour of the Thousands Islands wandering in and out of the canals into the Banana River looking for Manatees, Dolphins, Birds, and the Nature Reserve was exhilarating day. Great two and half hour tour of the Thousand Islands in Banana River Lagoon.
WildSide Eco Tours Dockside Photo by Eileen Ludwig
Picking up passengers at the Ramp Road dock in a City Park where there were birds just hanging out, a playground, bathrooms, and picnic tables to enjoy the day onshore for those so inclined. Captain Ben Evans is a former Science and Psychology Teacher who loves the environment and everything about it is of interest. With stacks of pictures in albums with additional and a host of information in his head, one could not find a better guide of the area.
Captain(s) Jean and Ben of WildSide Eco Tours of Thousand Islands
Captain Jeanette Vasbinder is Ben’s second Captain who handles the boat when he is on vacation or has other obligations. Have a question, Ben has the picture!
Ben has owned several other boating businesses along the coast before settling on this calm, serene, exhilarating form of boating and showing others the joys and delights of nature. As we went along the canals we could see birds, many plant life which I don’t remember all the names and of course we were looking for manatees. The Walking Trees was an Indian name because the trees appear to walk on the water with their roots growing down into the water bed
Walking trees in Thousand Islands rise above the water with roots Photo by Eileen Ludwig
The manatees like the canals because the older homes have the water pipes for fresh water draining into the canals. The water pipes were used for air cooling a house. Now many run the well water to give drinks to manatees. It is fascinating to see them go up to a water pipe and cover it with their mouth. They can not drink the brackish water and must have fresh water.
Ben does photography tours with an instructor later in the fall for those interested in birding. They return for the winter and are a photographer’s delight.Their are specific birding tours too lead by knowledgeable bird tour guides.
One of many canals in thousand islands nature preserve in Cocoa Beach Photo by Eileen Ludwig
Ben is available for special tours too. Saw a picture where he took a group out for shuttle launches. Lovely way to see the coast. Field trips. Sunset cruises once the wet season is over. There are so many opportunities to go out on the water. Book a tour for a group.
View of the Banana River Lagoon Photo by Eileen Ludwig
Other tour groups have kayaks tours of the Thousand Islands which we spotted from the deck of Wild Side Tour Boat
Kayak tours of Thousand Islands photo by Eileen Ludwig
Lovely homes and condos line the waterway with their boat docks
Homes in the Thousand Islands line the canal Photo by Eileen Ludwig
Looking for a Eco Tour of the Thousand Islands, definitely try WildSide tours! My tour was courtesy of Wildside Tours but the opinions and pictures are my own.
WildSide Eco Tours http://www.wildsidetours.com/ Photo by Eileen Ludwig
Twitter: scatteredmusing
Aaah Cocoa Beach … brought back memories of my childhood on the water..
Banana River we used to get as close as we could and see Cape Canaveral .. My father used to be a crabber in those waters…
thanks for sharing
Debbie recently posted..This Moment: Friday Ritual 9/30
Twitter: eileenludwig
Debbie, nice to go down memory lane
Twitter: jpbrandanophotogmail.com
SOme interesting pictures and a great place to visit I’ll need to check it out Thank You for the info!!1 I stumbled and tweeted
http://jpweddingphotograpy.blogspot.com/2011/09/photographing-faces-and-places-in-key.html
Twitter: eileenludwig
Jim, Thank you so much – it was fun
Twitter: janross53
Oh, I would love to do this and see the manatees!
Jan Ross recently posted..What goes around…
RT @eileenludwig: Exhilarting WildSide Eco Tours of Thousand Islands Banana River Lagoon Cocoa Beach Florida #travel http://t.co/o7ZjohDH
Twitter: jenjenk
manatees!! always wanted to see one…and to photograph them sounds fun!
jenjenk recently posted..Eating in Curacao
RT Exhilarating WildSide Eco Tours of Thousand Islands Banana River Lagoon Cocoa Beach Florida #travel http://t.co/jW4PmxFO #florida
The picture of the canal reminds me of the channel we passed by at Hinchinbrook Island in Queensland. I think it would be awesome to see manatees in the wild.
lakwatsera de primera recently posted..Kuala Lumpur: China Town and Little India on Flip Flops
Twitter: ExpatGermany
Beautiful, I love eco-tours like this one where you can see wildlife in its natural environment.
Laurel recently posted..Cheese Please: The Best Cheese I’ve Ever Tasted
Twitter: thetravelchica
I love manatees!
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Goodbye Columbus: A Photo Essay
RT @eileenludwig: Exhilarating WildSide Eco Tours of Thousand Islands Banana River Lagoon Cocoa Beach Florida #travel http://t.co/Guo1THhE
RT @eileenludwig: Exhilarating WildSide Eco Tours of Thousand Islands Banana River Lagoon Cocoa Beach Florida #travel http://t.co/Guo1THhE
Where are the thousand islands? Is that the Florida Keys? I’m heading there in a couple weeks and looking for adventures like this!
Scott – Quirky Travel Guy recently posted..Carlsbad Caverns: A quirky national park
Twitter: eileenludwig
Scott this is in Cocoa Beach about an hour south of Kennedy Space Center
Nice to see a Eco tour spot !! I have visited one eco spot in india !!
Sheril Benedict recently posted..World Tourism Day !!
RT @eileenludwig: Exhilarating WildSide Eco Tours of Thousand Islands Banana River Lagoon Cocoa Beach Florida http://t.co/CFUO2l2y
RT @eileenludwig: Exhilarating WildSide Eco Tours of Thousand Islands Banana River Lagoon Cocoa Beach Florida #travel http://t.co/CFUO2l2y
I swam with the manatees when I was a little girl, I will do the experience again one day.