SCUBA Diving

On days that the concessionaire boats run to the islands, guided hikes may be offered by national park rangers, volunteers, or concessionaire naturalists. If they are not available to lead hikes, self-guided interpretive trail booklets are available. Guided hike locations, distances, and departure times will be announced after your arrival on the island during the visitor orientation. Please check with a ranger, volunteer, or concessionaire employee for more information.

Join a park ranger on a National Park Service ferry ride trip from Pensacola to Gulf Islands National Seashore's Fort Pickens Area then to Pensacola Beach. Once you arrive at Fort Pickens if you choose to get off, you will have a either 2.5 hours or 5 hours to recreate and enjoy the historic fortifications, private beaches, bike paths, fishing pier and visitor center. Ferry departure times from Fort Pickens to Pensacola Beachthree times a day.

Join a National Park Service ranger on a one-hour Ship Island Excursions ferry ride to Ship Island where you can have access to ranger-led programs in Fort Massachusetts and a private swim beach. The swim beach is a quarter of a mile walk on a boardwalk from the fishing pier. There is very little shade on the island and no transportation. Food and umbrellas are for purchase at an additional cost on the swim beach. No pets are allowed on the ferry. Fishing is only permitted on the sound side beach.

Join a park ranger at Davis Bayou to learn about the medicinal plants of the Gulf Coast. Meet at the Wiliam M. Colmer visitor center in the Davis Bayou Area in Mississippi.

Discover the web of life on the northern Gulf Coast with this drop-in activity! Join a guide during this hands-on activity to see, touch, and learn how plants, animals, and humans have continuously adapted to the coastal environment. Note: Talks are accessible to people with special needs. Programs are subject to change and/or cancelation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances .

The northern Gulf Coast is rich with stories about the American Revolution! To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, join a guide for a 30 minute talk to learn about the forgotten people, places, and events that shaped the founding of the United States of America. Note: Talks are accessible to people with special needs. Programs are subject to change and/or cancelation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances .

Join us for a 45-minute walk through Fort Massachusetts located on Ship Island. Meet at the entrance to Fort Massachusetts. Ship Island is a barrier island located off the coast of Mississippi.

The Paddle Clinic introduces park visitors to canoeing while building paddle skills and confidence. Biscayne National Park is 95% water and paddling is one of the best ways to explore the park. The trips are staff/weather dependent. Watch the weather and call (786)335-3620 the day before the trip to confirm. Know that trips can be cancelled up until the last minute. All paddlers must be 11yrs+. Non-paddlers sitting in the middle must be 6yrs+. (Indicate age when signing up anybody under the age of 18.) No experience necessary but comfortability on the water is required. This is a beginner course and is moderately strenuous. Most paddle clinics spend nearly two hours on the water and traverse two miles of shallow bay. Shoes and clothes that can get wet are required. Water bottles, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are recommended. Please ensure that you’ve provided a local phone number or email address that you are able to check prior to the trip. If you need to cancel, please call (786)335-3620 as soon as possible. These trips are in high demand and others would appreciate the opening. Please arrive 30 min before scheduled departure time. Upon arrival, each participant must come to the visitor center desk to sign a waiver. You spot will be given away if you have not checked in 15 min prior to departure time.

Join us for a variety of rotating staff led activities, cool topics, and hands-on learning programs such as guided walks, science labs, nature journaling, and history presentations that encourage connection with Biscayne's resources. Drop-ins and the entire family are welcome. Programming is free. For program specifics, please visit or call the visitor center at 786-335-3620.

Join us to learn how eight local men embarked on a perilous journey and fought in America’s bloodiest war in search of humanity’s most valued civil right. Meet inside Fort Massachusetts.

Join a park a park ranger on hike and interpretation of the local area. Topics include bayou, alligator, or medicinal plants. Meet at the William M. Colmer Visitor Center in Mississippi.

Join a ranger for a guided beach walk and presentation on Ship Island in Mississippi and learn about what marine life reside in your favorite seashells and help solve the murder mystery of how the empty shells you collect came to be unoccupied. This is a walk up style event on Ship Island swim beach.