As we head into the busy spring season, we’re joined by many families who enjoy our private experiences at Sanibel Sea School. Each adventure brings its own sense of curiosity, connection, and discovery.

Whether families are visiting Sanibel Island on vacation or live locally and are enjoying a day off from school, our private programs offer a meaningful way to explore the ocean together.

We offer both land-based and paddle-based private experiences, each designed to create hands-on, immersive learning moments. Both experiences are two-hour sessions, scheduled Monday through Friday, and led by one of our marine science educators. These experiences are designed for all ages and knowledge levels and can be customized to a family’s interests.

Options for Land-Based Experiences

Many families choose to explore our three most popular land-based settings: seagrass beds, gulf-side beaches, and mangrove forests.

“In our seagrass bed sessions, families learn about estuaries, seagrass ecology, and basic fish biology while using nets to gently catch and observe marine creatures,” says Sanibel Sea School Director Shannon Rivard. “Seahorses, tiny fish, shrimp, crabs, snails, and comb jellies often make appearances, giving participants a rare up-close look at life beneath the surface before everything is released back into their seagrass home.”

Along the gulf-side beach, educators guide families through Sanibel’s famous wrack lines and shelling areas. Together, participants examine mysterious washed-up objects, search for live mollusks, and learn the basics of shell biology. On favorable tides, families may even wade out to sandbars in search of sand dollars and sea stars.

“For those who don’t mind getting a little muddy, our mangrove forest experiences are unforgettable. Sinking knee-deep into mangrove mud often leads to equal parts laughter and bonding,” says Rivard. “While spotting fiddler crabs and mangrove tree crabs, families learn how to identify mangroves and why these resilient trees are important to Florida’s coastal ecosystems.”

Beyond these options, we also love customizing experiences. If a family is especially excited about a particular topic — such as manatees, birds, or marine mammals — we can design a session focused entirely on that topic of interest.

“One of the most special parts of these private programs is the opportunity to teach multiple generations at once,” shared Jordyn Sateren, Marine Science Educator. “It’s a fun challenge to switch gears between grandparents, parents, and kids. Sometimes I’m teaching people in their 80s alongside toddlers — and everyone is learning together.”

7 Families Enjoyed President’s Day Experiences

Private experiences are offered year-round, but they are especially popular during holiday weeks when families are traveling. During the recent Presidents’ Day week, seven families joined us for private sessions. In one private session, a family went exploring with Marine Science Educator and Lead Paddle Sports Instructor Austin Wise.

“On a gulf-side family private experience, myself and one lucky family stumbled across a live pygmy octopus!” shared Wise. “It was clinging to a string of lightning whelk egg casings, and we were able to take a close look at the fascinating cephalopod anatomy.”

Moments like these remind us why private family experiences are so powerful. They create space for shared discovery, meaningful conversations, and lasting memories — far beyond what a typical outing might offer.

Later that same week, Austin led a private for another family on the gulf-side of the island, exploring the wrack line and looking for shells. 

“I had led a beach walk for a couple at one of our partner resorts a few weeks ago, and when their grandkids came to visit, they reached out to set up the same experience so they could do it together as a family,” said Wise. “We love it when families find creative ways to keep connecting with our mission!”

As we look ahead, we’re excited for a spring season filled with even more families learning and exploring the coast together. Whether you’re visiting the island or enjoying time off close to home, we invite you to join us for a private experience of your own.

Visit sanibelseaschool.org/programs/families-and-groups to learn more and book your own private experience with Sanibel Sea School.