6 Friendly Marine Species of the Gulf Coast

The Gulf Coast is full of friendly marine life! Up in the sky, or beneath the waves, a host of coastal critters is waiting to meet you! Read below for 6 of the Friendliest Marine Species found on the Gulf Coast.

Sea Turtles

A visit from a sea turtle will put a smile on the face of any nature lover. This ancient species of reptile has inhabited the earth's oceans for more than a hundred million years, developing long lifespans, underwater vision, and migration patterns that can take a traveling turtle thousands of miles at a time. The most common species of Sea Turtle found in the Gulf of Mexico are Green, Hawksbill, Leatherback, Kemp's Ridley, and Loggerhead. While Sea Turtles are commonly encountered on boat tours or snorkeling excursions, it is best not to disturb them (even if one photobombs your picture!). It is also very important to give a beached turtle plenty of space. The only time a Sea Turtle ventures onto the beach is to lay eggs, which is a very delicate process that should never be interrupted!

Discover More Friendly Marine Species of the Gulf Coast

• http://www.theanimalfiles.com/birds/pelicans_relatives/brown_pelican.html
• Sarah Dowdey (9 July 2009). "How do seagulls drink saltwater?". HowStuffWorks.
• http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i0540id.html 
• http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Blue_Heron/id
• Quinney, T. E. and P. C. Smith. 1979. Reproductive success, growth of nestlings and foraging behaviour of the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias herodias L.). contract rept. No. KL229-5-7077. Can. Wildl. Serv. Ottawa.
• http://www.seefloridaonline.com/turtles/ 
• http://www.fws.gov/northflorida/manatee/manatee-native-facts.htm 
• http://www.buzzardsbay.org/buzzards-bay-manatees.htm 
• http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/8-things-didnt-know-manatees/ 
• http://www.animalfactguide.com/animal-facts/bottlenose-dolphin/ 

The Gulf Coast Has History - Learn About it With These Exciting Tours!

If any of you are like me, a vacation is not complete without a little destination history. I recall my first vacation up in Northern Michigan when we took a tour of Mackinac Island. As a kid, I really enjoyed seeing and hearing about this culture and way of life in this part of state. Ever since then, I grew to love exploring the culture and history of an unfamiliar place. The best part of learning is doing something fun to compliment the history lesson. Here are a few things you can do on the Gulf Coast that are fun, but still offer some insights on the local history.

1. Historic Segway Tours in Downtown Pensacola

2. Dolphin Watch & Destin History Cruise

3. Downtown Pensacola City Tours 

4. New Orleans Super City Tour By Motor Coach Bus

Why You Need To Take Your Children Sailing

Photo courtesy of Emerald Lady Sailing in Destin, FL

I had the opportunity to experience sailing a few years ago and it wasn't soon after we departed that I knew I'd be doing this a lot in the future. After my first trip, I was taking every opportunity I had to get on a sailboat. I don't really know why I love sailing so much. Maybe it's because the nostalgic aspect of sailing intrigues me. We live in a society that is consumed by electronics and machines so the fact that we are using the power of mother nature to enjoy this experience was gratifying. Without a boat engine grumbling in the water, the calm and serenity of the wind and ocean is all you can hear. I'm sure most American who sailed before can relate to my assessment!

I know that most of our customers that book sailing charters are typically older, but I'm here to say that sailing is a must for children. Every time I see a child get behind the wheel and get the feel for what being a captain is like, I can see a sense of pride and excitement. In a world dominated by machines, children are prisoners of their own devices and sailing is something that liberates them. They know that they are completely in control and its very real!

There are private sailing tours all over the Gulf Coast and they are not much  more than what a dolphin cruise costs. The captains are very accommodating and have an interest in sharing their passion with families and children. Next time you visit, don't miss out on this opportunity to enlighten your children who may be consumed by a world that is leaving behind these amazing experiences. Happy Sailing!

Check Out The Latest Water Attractions in Destin, FL!

2014 seems to be the year of thrill rides here in Destin. We have introduced two new boats here on the Harbor that offer a fast paced, wave ripping, arm throwing good time!

The Screaming Eagle is an American themed boat with a beautiful wrap of old faithful. The trip will take you through the East Pass while the captain and first mate offer the recollections of the history of Destin. Once you hit the East Pass, get ready to hit some waves with speeds over 45 MPH! This trip is great for families with the exception of young children (under 3) and pregnant women. Book the Screaming Eagle Online on TripShock today. 

The Hydrojet (AKA The World's Largest Jet Ski) is a 24 passenger vessel that sits customers like they are actually riding a jet ski. There is no boat quite like this so get ready for a most unique experience. Exceed speeds over 40 MPH while hitting waves and spinning 180 degrees at a moments notice! Hang on tight and enjoy this exciting excursion! Book your seats online for the Hyrdojet through TripShock.  

The Best Time To Take a Dolphin Cruise in Panama City Beach

One of the most frequent questions I get asked is when the best time to watch dolphins is. I may not be an expert on dolphins, but I have been on several dolphin tours in Panama City Beach. Fortunately enough, I have never been on a tour that has not yielded a dolphin or two. These tours are a must do and they are great for families looking for some inexpensive entertainment in Panama City Beach. If you're trying to figure out what time is best for the best dolphin interaction, maybe I can help bring a little insight for you.

First off, I learned on one of my most recent tours that dolphins do not sleep like most animals do. They have the ability to shut down parts of their brain, while other parts are still active (to protect from predators and such). This means that dolphins really don't have a concrete schedule, but they are generally most active during the day as the sunlight is necessary for hunting and other social activities. 

When it comes down to it, I always recommend to tourists to go when the boats are less crowded and the water is the most calm - Morning or Noon. When the afternoon rolls around, the temperature rises and the wind kicks up. Having calm water allows for better visibility. Some tour boats also don't have A/C so it can be uncomfortable on a 2 hour cruise in very hot and humid conditions. Going for a late afternoon sunset cruise sounds like a great idea since the humidity and temperature has cooled down, but this is prime time. Expect higher ticket prices and maxed out capacity (In the peak season anyway). It's never fun being on a crowded boat when you want the perfect dolphin photo.

During the Fall and Winter, most tour companies will shut down or cut back their schedules due to the limited demand for tours. This by no means has any impact on the dolphin sightings as they can be seen all year round.  You'll not only find great rates on tours, but smaller trips gives you plenty of room to move about the boat. 

There are many dolphin cruise companies in Panama City Beach to choose from. They all offer different variations of tours that combine activities such as snorkeling and shelling. I would highly suggest booking online for the best dolphin cruise discounts and coupons. 

Check out this video from the Sea Screamer taken on one of the day trips. These are really amazing creatures and people can't get enough of them!