Viking Ecotours

07/23/2024

01/08/2024

Let this sugary view inspire your sweet escape to NSB 😃
Tag someone who needs a taste of this candy-colored vacay 🍭🏖️
📷 saltspell/IG

11/15/2023

Gopher Tortoises: Florida’s Burrowing Beauties 🐢

🏗️ Nature’s Engineers: Recognized by their elephant-like back legs and shovel-shaped front feet, gopher tortoises are adept at digging. Their protective nuchal scute is a distinct feature. Their burrows, essential for shelter, can average 15 feet and may extend beyond 47 feet!

🐢Sturdy Frame: Adult tortoises typically measure 10–15 inches and weigh 8–15 pounds, with their shells evolving from soft and colorful to a hardened gray or brown as they mature.

🌱Diverse Diet: Primarily herbivores, they feed on over 300 plant species, including wiregrass and legumes. They play a crucial role in seed dispersal. Occasionally, they may consume insects and carrion, adding variety to their diet.

🏡 Habitat and Co-Inhabitants: In sandy terrains like pine sandhills and coastal dunes, their burrows provide refuge for over 350 species, highlighting their status as a keystone species.

🥚 Lifecycle and Reproduction: It takes 10–20 years for them to mature. Their long lifespan of 40–80 years in the wild includes laying clutches of 3-15 eggs, contributing to the species’ slow growth rate.

⏳ The oldest known gopher tortoise lived over 100 years, significantly surpassing the typical 40 to 80-year lifespan

🚨 Conservation Concerns: The primary threat to their existence is habitat loss from urban development. Conservation strategies are focused on habitat restoration and legal protection.

🌼 Supporting Their Survival: Plant gopher-tortoise-friendly plants, avoid disturbing their burrows, and responsibly report sightings to aid their conservation.

11/14/2023

🌊🐄 Majestic Manatees of Canaveral National Seashore!

• 🐄 Gentle Giants: The West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus) thrives here at Canaveral. Adults typically weigh 800 - 1,200 pounds, reaching lengths of about 10 feet, with some growing up to 3,500 pounds and 13 feet long!

• 🌱 Herbivore Haven: Affectionately known as “sea cows,” these aquatic herbivores spend up to eight hours a day grazing on seagrass and other plants, consuming an impressive 4-9% of their body weight in vegetation daily. That’s over 100 lbs of vegetation eaten per day!

• ⏱️ Breath of Life: Manatees surface every 3-5 minutes for air but can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes when resting. In active states, they may breathe as frequently as every 30 seconds.

• 🧬 Unique Biology: With only six cervical vertebrae, manatees can’t turn their heads sideways and must turn their entire body to look behind. Their rib bones are solid without marrow, a unique adaptation among mammals.

•📍 Where to Spot Them: Explore the west side of Mosquito Lagoon for their movement corridor. Prime viewing areas during warmer months include the Apollo District Visitor Center dock and Turtle Mound.

• 🚤 Signs of Survival: Most manatees bear scars from boat propellers, highlighting the ongoing challenges they face in their aquatic home.

• 🛡️ Protected since 1893: Their conservation reflects a legacy of respect and commitment to these serene sea creatures in the Sunshine State.

11/12/2023

Kayak into fall where dolphins 🐬 play, fish jump, and birds fly south in sunny Canaveral National Seashore. It’s a simple joy.

11/11/2023

Viking Ecotours have pedal boats for morning, afternoon, sunset and bioluminescent tours. Tour guide Eric has a background in ecology and wildlife and will point out the birds, dolphins, manatees and plants along the way.

11/02/2023

Welcome to the "New You, New Year, New Smyrna Beach" sweepstakes campaign, where you have the chance to win an unforgettable getaway to Florida.

10/01/2023

09/20/2023

Exploring Turtle Mound: A Peek into Florida’s Ancient Past 🐢

🌄 Elevated Views: From its peak, Turtle Mound gifts us with sweeping sights of the Atlantic Ocean and the peaceful Mosquito Lagoon. A climb up is an instant passport to panoramic beauty, where sea meets sky in a dance of colors.

🦪 Historical Layers: What might seem like a pile of oyster shells is, in fact, a rich record of the Timucuan Indians’ daily life. Every shell, over the mound’s vast expanse, narrates tales of gatherings, feasts, and age-old traditions.

🌳 Nature’s Embrace: While the history enthralls, the surrounding greenery soothes. As you explore, the shade of live oaks and rustle of palmettos provide a refreshing, natural soundtrack.

🦅Birdwatcher’s Delight: Its height makes Turtle Mound a prime spot for spotting our winged friends. From agile ospreys to gentle egrets, it’s an avian haven, especially when birds migrate.

💡 Sailor’s Guide: Did you know? Ancient mariners often used Turtle Mound as a navigation point. Its distinct silhouette against the vast seascape made it an invaluable landmark.

If Canaveral National Seashore is on your radar, Turtle Mound is a must-visit gem. Dive into a blend of history and nature, all wrapped up in this unique 40-foot marvel. Who’s up for an adventure? 🌿

09/20/2023

Journey Through Time: The Magic of Castle Windy Trail 🍃

Immerse yourself in the wonders of Canaveral National Seashore by embarking on the Castle Windy Trail. This trail is not just a walk but a narrative, weaving Florida’s rich ecological tapestry with remnants of its ancient past. Here’s a deeper dive into this captivating journey:

🌲 Veiled in Verdant Beauty:
The trail gracefully winds through maritime hammocks, a dense canopy of oaks, sabal palms, and saw palmettos. As you navigate, the ambient sounds of rustling leaves and distant ocean waves create an orchestral background, enhancing the sensory experience.

🏰 Castle Windy’s Ancient Echoes:
At the heart of the trail lies the enigmatic shell midden known as Castle Windy. Though not a castle in the traditional sense, its elevated stature, overlooking the lagoon, once provided the Timucuan Indians strategic advantage and sustenance. The midden itself, made of shells, bones, and pottery fragments, offers a tangible link to these ancient inhabitants and their daily lives.

🌊 A Portal to Mosquito Lagoon:
Upon reaching the midpoint, the dense foliage gives way to panoramic vistas of the Mosquito Lagoon. The shimmering waters reflect the sky’s ever-changing hues, while mangroves and sea grasses ripple beneath the surface, teeming with life. It’s a sanctuary for bird watchers, with opportunities to spot ospreys, pelicans, and even roseate spoonbills.

🦎 Nature’s Bounty:
Castle Windy Trail is a hotspot of biodiversity. Gopher tortoises might cross your path, while the chirping of songbirds fills the air. As you approach the lagoon, stay vigilant for the shadowy silhouettes of manatees or the playful leaps of dolphins breaking the water’s surface.

🥾 Trail-Blazer Tips:
Though the trail spans just over a mile, its diverse ecosystems and historical insights demand a leisurely pace. Sturdy hiking shoes, a filled water bottle, binoculars for birdwatching, and a journal or camera to capture the moments are essential for the best experience.

Set foot on the Castle Windy Trail, a path where every step reveals nature’s wonders and echoes from millennia past.

09/19/2023

Unveiling the Secrets of Seminole Rest: Canaveral National Seashore’s Hidden Jewel 🌅

Hey explorers! Today, let me guide you through the winding paths of Seminole Rest, a historical sanctuary embedded deep within Canaveral National Seashore.

📍 A Tranquil Escape:
Situated in the quaint town of Oak Hill, Florida, Seminole Rest is a tapestry of moss-laden oaks, serene lagoon vistas, and whispers of ancient tales waiting to be heard.

🌳 History Among the Trees:
The centerpiece of this hidden gem is the Snyder and Clifton houses. Stepping inside is like journeying back in time, with every creak of the wooden floors and gentle rustle of the trees outside narrating tales of bygone eras.

🐚 Echoes from the Past:
The shell mounds of Seminole Rest are not just heaps of shells; they’re a testament to the indigenous tribes that once thrived here. Each layer unravels stories of feasts, ceremonies, and the rhythms of daily life from thousands of years ago.

🦜 A Birder’s Paradise:
But it’s not just history buffs who will fall in love with Seminole Rest. With the tranquil Mosquito Lagoon cradling its shores, it’s a hotspot for myriad bird species. From the majestic ospreys to the delicate sandpipers, nature’s symphony is always in play here.

🌊 Waters That Speak:
The gentle ripples of Mosquito Lagoon are teeming with life. Whether you’re kayaking or just soaking in the view, keep an eye out for playful dolphins, gentle manatees, and a vibrant marine life dance beneath the surface.

💡 Planning Your Visit:
To truly grasp the essence of Seminole Rest, consider joining one of the park ranger-led tours. Dive deep into the tales of the past and witness the natural wonders that make this spot truly unique.

So, if you’ve been searching for a blend of untouched nature and rich history, Seminole Rest beckons. Let’s venture into the past while surrounded by the beauty of the present. 🍃

08/12/2023

ATLANTA — The National Park Service (NPS) announced today the selection of Carmen Thomson as the new superintendent of Canaveral National Seashore located on the east coast of Florida between Titusville and New Smyrna Beach. Thomson begins her new assignment on Sept. 10.

08/10/2023

03/22/2023

Wildlife Spotlight: FL Scrub-Jay

The Florida scrub-jay is only found in central and south-central Florida and it is the only bird species to live exclusively in
Florida. This species has recently experienced rapid habitat loss to their already small population range. ongoing population declines and significant conservation challenges due to habitat loss and fragmentation. The Florida scrub-jay is currently listed as a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

The Florida scrub-jay is omnivorous and feeds on insects, seeds, berries, and small vertebrates, and more. They require a mix of open areas and shrubby cover for foraging and nesting.

Florida scrub-jays are highly social birds that live in family groups consisting of a breeding pair and their offspring from the previous breeding season.
Habitat loss and fragmentation from rampant development have contributed crashing their populations. The bilds require a mosaic of different cover types, including nesting cover, escape cover, travel corridors, thermal cover, and hiding cover, to survive and thrive. By understanding the life history and natural history traits of the Florida scrub-jay, we can work towards ensuring a sustainable future for this unique and important bird species.

02/09/2023

The Importance of Mangrove Ecosystems:

One of the most important habitats for coastal wildlife is mangroves as they provide a critical source of food and shelter for many species of wildlife in Florida. They serve as a nursery for fish and shellfish, providing a safe and protected environment for these species to grow and mature. In addition, mangroves support a diverse community of birds, mammals, and reptiles, providing a vital source of food and shelter.

Mangrove ecosystems help reduce the impact of hurricanes and storms by acting as a natural barrier, protecting the shoreline and inland areas from storm surges and strong winds. Without mangroves, many of Florida’s wildlife species and game fish would struggle to survive. That’s why it’s so important to protect and preserve these unique habitats.

These trees have adapted to the harsh conditions of these environments and play an important role in the coastal ecosystem. Mangroves provide habitat and food for many species of wildlife, help protect against coastal erosion, and serve as nursery grounds for many fish and shellfish species.

Visitors to Canaveral National Seashore can easily see the beauty of mangroves on a pedal kayak tour. This unique experience offers a close-up view of these magnificent trees in their natural habitat. You’ll learn about the importance of mangroves and the role they play in protecting the coast and supporting wildlife.

Learn more about mangroves and see the wildlife they support while pedal kayaking with Viking EcoTours!

Canaveral National Seashore is a National Park with mangroves that provide a critical source of food and shelter for many species of wildlife in Florida

01/15/2023

There’s nothing like a calm day on clear water with family, friends, and dolphins🐬🤩.

Click the link in our bio to learn more about our expert guided kayak 🛶 tours through Canaveral National Seashore 🏝️🌅

01/13/2023

Our new post about raptors and different birds in Canaveral National Seashore. Raptors, also known as birds of prey, are a group of carnivorous birds that includes eagles, hawks, harriers, falcons, kites, vultures, osprey, and owls. These birds include some of the most impressive animals in Canaveral National Seashore and Florida. Read more in the link below.

Raptors, also known as birds of prey, are a group of hyper-carnivorous birds that include some of the most impressive animals in Canaveral National Seashore and Florida.

01/08/2023

A rare hawksbill sea turtle, found injured 10 days ago by divers on a shipwreck off Key Largo, was fitted with a satellite tracking tag and returned to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary on Dec. 21 after it was treated at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon. The female turtle, dubbed “Harris,....

01/05/2023

09/22/2022

09/06/2022

Mullet school together for safety from predators like dolphins and tarpon. They’re known to leap like this to help clean their gills and to give themselves a boost of oxygen in oxygen-poor waterways. When kayaking or boating these huge schools of mullet seem to ignite the entire lagoon by stirring up bioluminescent dinoflagellate plankton as they jump and dash through the water to avoid predators.

08/31/2022

August is over! Check out our favorite moment on Viking Ecotours from this month! 🥰
The ✨moment✨ versus the photos! 📸
Swipe to see the pictures captured under this breath-taking sunset view! 🌅🤩

08/30/2022

Manatees, bioluminescence, dolphins, and mangroves… kayaking hands-free through Canaveral National Seashore is out of this world. Guests simply pedal through the lagoon with their hands free to splash around, take pictures, or point out the wildlife.

Manatees, bioluminescence, dolphins, and mangroves… kayaking hands-free through Canaveral National Seashore is out of this world with Viking Ecotours. Guests...

08/29/2022

How to PREPARE for your Viking Ecotour experience:
-Check the weather
-Wear comfortable clothing appropriate for the weather

What to BRING on your Viking Ecotour:
-Water-Any snacks/food you'd want in the kayak
-Bug repellent
-Tip for your tour guide if you love your experience! (Cash, Venmo and Paypal accepted)
-Sun Protection (sun block, polarized glasses, hat, etc.)

We'll see you soon! ☀️

08/27/2022

Beth V. visited us in a group of 16 😱 (2 of these visitors were children riding with adults)! Thank you so much for visiting us and we are so glad to hear you enjoyed your experience! 🌅☺️

We hope to host you again soon on that bioluminescence tour! 🌌🤝