On the way out to catch a sailfish, a fisherman might spot the angular silhouette of a frigate bird hovering overhead. Or, the captain would point to a pod of dolphins playing in front of the bow. Maybe a school of dark shadows would glide gracefully over a patch of white sand, as spotted eagle rays often will. Today, more and more visitors are stepping, paddling or snorkeling through the Keys specifically to see these and many other sights. They are adding these ecotours into their traditional fishing, diving and sightseeing itineraries.
Some visitors choose guided tours while others rent canoes or kayaks and explore on their own.
The interest in ecotours should not be surprising. From Key Largo to Key West, natural tidal creeks meander through easily accessible mangrove forests. Green herons hop among the roots, and mysterious splashing sounds echo from deep within the watery forests. Out in the open water, a huge loggerhead sea turtle pokes its head out of the water, and a 4-foot lemon shark swaggers along the edge of an uninhabited key looking for a meal. Back on dry land, nature trails lead hikers among the same tropical plants and hardwood trees that Native Americans called home.