While in Volusia County over Memorial Day weekend one of our first stops of the weekend was at St. John’s River Eco Tours.
It was a beautiful day for a 2 hour narrated tour of the St. John’s River. The guides were extremely knowledgeable about the various animals that call this river their home. Not only did their know their stuff but they were very sweet! They took the time to answer the numerous questions my kiddos had for them.
They are were also sweet enough to let my babies drive the boat, which of course they loved.
While taking the tour we spotted various animals like Great Egrets, Tricolored Herons, a Purple Gallinule, Barred Owls, alligators and turtles. I’m sure we spotted a few more that I don’t remember the name of.
I even captured a picture of a dragonfly
One of the best parts of the tour is when they stopped to feed Barred Owls.
Take a look at the video below to see the Barred Owls in action.
Tours aren’t the only thing you can so on St. John’s River (but if you want one you should check out St. John’s River Eco Tours)
You can also go fishing…
My family and I really enjoyed ourselves on the St. John’s River Eco Tours.
Note: My family and I were provided tickets to be able to experience St. John’s River Eco Tours BUT all opinions are my own.
Oh how I MISS that area ! We lived in New Smyrna Beach for 17 years. We raised our children there. 7 years ago we moved “home” as our mothers were both failing in health & needed help.
We SO enjoyed the nature of the area.
Many times we saw owls hunting. Once one swooped in and pulled a big snake from a tree! It was quite exciting for our children!
You family had a wonderful outing and learned a bunch! These were our fav kinds of places to go to when we lived there.
Have you been to Blue Springs in Deland ? We used to go year around BUT in the winter months there are MANY Manatees there. The water is SO CLEAR that you can see every scar and bump on their massive bodies. The water is a constant temp , I think 68 degrees or perhaps 72 I cant recall. Due to the warmth there . They come by the droves to escape the frigid St. Johns River.
There is also a neat spot in New Smyrna Beach Called Turtle Mound. It is an old Native American trash heap. Oyster shells mounded up high!. They have built a wonderful walk way. Interesting signs line the path. The most wonderful look out over the inter-coastal waters. It is cool to see where the ocean and river join. Beautiful picnicking and Cape Canaveral National Seashore. You have to park in a lot and walk down to the beach there. It is beautiful. There is a funky little shack (in a good way) out that way called JB’s Fish camp. You can order from GREAT shrimp baskets and fill your picnic basket with their goodies while enjoying nature . Ohh I am pratteling on. Can you tell Imiss the ocean?
Thanks for the recommendations!!!! We’ll have to check them out…we really wanted to see Manatees during our trip there but we didn’t see any.
I love the fun stuff you do! You also got great pictures of some wildlife, which is my favorite thing to photograph.
Thanks!
How fun. It’s like a mini adventure. One alligator and I would have been screaming to take me home!
How fun for you and family.I would love to take that
tour.Sounds so interesting and I really like to watch birds,
and would like to see those Barred Owls.
Looks like a fun and educational trip. Fantastic pictures. Glad the kids got to drive the boat.
What a fun time for the kiddos. I love that they got to feed the owls. I think you are never too young or too old to take a tour like this and learn about what animals surround our environment. It would be worth it to me just to see the Crocodile, or was it an alligator?
It was an alligator 🙂
It looks like you had a lovely, and educational time! the best kinds of outings for families!
To see owls in a natural setting is a real privilege. I’m 58 years old & only seen an owl (outside the zoo) 1 time.
I live in Lake Mary, which is quite close to this. I should really take my kids on one of these eco tours. It looks like fun and educational. My kids have never been on a boat.