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Join Coastal Connections for an
eco-volunteer vacation of a lifetime!
Total Price - $1,700 USD/Person
Spaces are limited
$400 non-refundable donation to reserve your spot is due upon registration.
Trip Cost Includes
Trip cost includes: Meals, Accommodations, Travel within Indian River County, FL, Activities, Donations to Nonprofits, and Facilitator Fees.
Trip Does NOT Include
Trip cost does NOT include: Airfare, Travel Insurance, Passport Requirements, and Tips for Local Guides.
Trip Activities and Volunteering Work
Beach Cleanup, Turtle Walk, Birding, Pontoon Boat Ride, Kayak/Paddle Boarding, Turtle Hospital Visit, Visit to America's First Wildlife Refuge, Yoga, Live Music, and More.
Volunteer Hours Earned
After returning home, you will receive a certificate for 10 volunteer hours earned during your Turtle Trip Experience.
Accomodations
Vero Beach's Only Sea Turtle Friendly Certified Hotel
Costa D'Este Beach Resort and Spa
Nonprofits Supported
Tentative 1-Week Itinerary
Day 1
Viva Vero Beach
Arrival and Settle In
Once everyone has arrived in Florida the trip facilitator and guide will take the group to Vero Beach, where we will check into our local sea turtle-friendly certified accommodation. The first day of our trip will be about getting settled in and relaxing before a long, exciting week. There will be time to visit the beach, and we will grab dinner at a local brewery.
Day 2
Wildlife Refuges and Sea Turtles
Archie Carr NWR and Turtle Walks
Are you ready to visit the nation's first Wildlife Refuge? After a morning beach yoga session, we will put on some hiking shoes for a short walk along Centinnial Trail at Pelican Island NWR. After, we will drive another 20 min to visit the Archie Carr NWR, the only refuge protected for nesting sea turtles. After lunch, we will complete a beach cleanup and visit some local shops before getting ready for a nighttime Turtle Walk experience.
Day 3
Health of the Lagoon
Wildlife Hospitals and Water Sampling
The conservation of sea turtles extends beyond the nesting beach on Day 3 when we visit Florida's largest sea turtle rehabilitation center. After a specialized tour just for you, we will return to Vero for a Farm to Table lunch and a short afternoon in the water quality lab, helping collect samples for a long-term study on the health of the Indian River Lagoon. Once cleaned up, we will head to downtown for trivia night and some fondue.
Day 4
Let's Get Sporty
Birding and Water Sports
Sea turtles are not the only wildlife that make Vero Beach and Indian River County special. We will start off the day with a birding tour, where you will meet endemic Florida Scrub Jays and learn more about the incredible birds that call Florida home. Following that tour we will hit the water so you can meet the other locals including our dolphins and manatees through kayaking or paddle boarding out on the Indian River Lagoon. The night will end with "Live in the Loop" a weekly live music event hosted at the Riverside Theater, which will be the perfect way to unwind after a day out in the Florida sunshine.
Day 5
Live Like Locals
Relax, Eat, Repeat
The last day of this trip is all about catching some R and R, rest and relaxation! On this day, we will take it slow, visiting a local breakfast hotspot, spending some time at the beach, and shopping along the famous Ocean Drive. Want to check out more life underwater? You can also snorkel a nearshore shipwreck directly from the beach. After rejuvenating from the salty air, we will head out for a sunset pontoon boat ride for one last visit with our wildlife friends living in the Lagoon before heading to a waterfront dinner at one of the most fun bar/restaurants in town.
Day 6
It's Never Really Over
Time To Travel Home
Although our trip may be over, the memories will last forever, as well as your new knowledge about sea turtles and Florida's amazing natural resources. Based on your departure time, all guests will be driven by the facilitator and guide to the airport before we all say goodbye for now. We hope that when you return home, you share your experiences with others and continue to do your part to help sea turtles survive, no matter where you are.
Remember - "Sunrises, Not High Rises"
C O N T A C T
Questions? Email Contact Email or call Cell Phone
FEIN: 35-2606320
S U P P O R T US
Love Turtle Trips? Please share your experiences and knowledge about these trips with others. With your help, we can provide more trips throughout the year.
This trip is organized in partnership with
We are so excited you are ready to reserve your spot on a Turtle Trip with Coastal Connections, Inc. Before moving forward with your reservation, there are a few things we need to review with you. We have to do this...our attorney said so!
1. Terms and Conditions - You must review the terms and conditions for Turtle Trips prior to reserving your space on a Trip. By moving forward with your reservation you are accepting the terms and conditions provided for Turtle Trips.
2. Airfare and Insurance - You are still required to book a flight on your own for the trip dates you select. You will be required to provide your flight information within 30 days of the trip start date. You must book airfare to fly in and out of either the Vero Beach Airport (Breeze Airlines) or Orlando International Airport. It is also recommended that you purchase travel insurance. Insurance and airfare are not included in your trip expenses.
3. Passport, Visa, and/or Health Requirements- You are not required to have a passport to travel within the United States, but will require one if you travel from outside of the USA. If you do not have one or need to renew yours, please give yourself up to 60 days to acquire one prior to the start of your trip. There is no refund for your trip if your passport is not available in time to travel.
4. Non-Refundable Deposit - To reserve your space you must provide a non-refundable deposit. This deposit is a donation to Coastal Connections and is fully tax-deductible under current US tax laws. Please review the Tax-Deductibility information provided if you plan to use this gift for tax purposes.
C O N T A C T
Questions? Email Contact Email or call Cell Phone
FEIN: 35-2606320
"A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINS FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE."
C O N T A C T
Questions? Email Contact Email or call Cell Phone
FEIN: 35-2606320
"A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINS FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE."
T H A N K Y O U
Your spot(s) on a 2025 Florida Turtle Trip with Coastal Connections is reserved! Your registration confirmation is on its way to your inbox now. Please email info@coastal-connections.org to let us know you have received this confirmation for your trip dates (check your spam folder just in case).
Please do not forget to do the following:
1. Book your airfare to and from the Orlando International Airport or Vero Beach Airport.
2. Review travel insurance options
3. Obtain or renew your passport if needed to travel to the USA
You will be required to submit proof that you have done all of the above when you are contacted by the Turtle Trips facilitator. You will also be provided two options to pay off your remaining Turtle Trip balance. You can 1) Pay the remainder all at once, or 2. Pay the remainder in 2 budgeted payments. No matter which option you choose, all payments must be received in full no later than 30 days prior to the start date of your trip (See Terms and Conditions).
Our facilitator will be in contact with you soon. We cannot wait to share this exciting educational and volunteer experience with you.
C O N T A C T
Questions? Email Contact Email or call Cell Phone
FEIN: 35-2606320
This trip is organized in partnership with