Category Archives: Sanibel Sea School

Have you heard of the sea pig?

Although it may look like it comes from another planet, the sea pig (Scotoplanes globosa) is actually a species of sea cucumber that resides in the deep sea. It can be found in frigid waters (up to 3.7 miles deep) all over the world. Continue reading →

An evening with Vikki Spruill of Ocean Conservancy

We are very pleased to bring one of the best speakers on Ocean Advocacy in the world to Sanibel this month. I have had the pleasure to hear many good speakers talk about issues that our ocean and our ocean society faces, and Vikki is one of the very best you will ever hear. Continue reading →

There’s more to a shark than its jaws

It’s rare that you get the chance to touch a five-foot bull shark, but then again, you might classify many Sanibel Sea School experiences as “rare.” Although not excited that this shark was on the beach rather than swimming freely and stealthily through our waters, we were excited to get such an up-close look at this local predator. Continue reading →

That sounds fishy

Have you ever wondered how a fish gets its name? For some fish it’s easy to tell from their appearance or behavior- check out the horse-faced loach, the flying fish, or the spotted sweetlips. However, the namesakes of some fish … Continue reading →

News from the Coconut Current

Since late last summer, Sanibel Sea School campers have been infatuated with the study of ocean currents. Over the past five months, students have released 93 coconut and board drifters, each outfitted with a tag asking its finder to call … Continue reading →

Quite possibly the cutest fish in the world

Three very peculiar fish were recently caught off of Sanibel Island. Dubbed Mo, Larry, and Curly, they are now enjoying a short stay at Sanibel Sea School. To best picture these fish, begin by considering their name: the Ocellated Frogfish … Continue reading →

Jump for joy! …or to take a breath of air

            Today, while watching a seemingly endless school of mullet swim past, one swam to the surface and jumped right out of the water. Once back under the surface, it fell in line with the … Continue reading →

Have there always been coconuts on Sanibel?

If you are ever stranded on a deserted island, know this: the coconut palm can provide basically everything that is necessary for life. These trees are so helpful they put Shel Silverstein’s Giving Tree to shame. According to the internet, … Continue reading →

Give thanks to the big blue!

Often times it seems like the world and our lives are in turmoil, but this is the time of year to think about all the things we have going for us–all those steady support systems that keep us going. If you are looking for something to be thankful for this holiday season, look to the ocean. Continue reading →

Young Audubons on the beach

Art is pleasing to the eye, it can bring feelings of joy, and it can give the beholder something to think about. At Sanibel Sea School, art does all of that. Our students learn in the classroom, spend time in the field, and then take some aspect of what they learned and transform it into a beautiful piece of art they can take home, admire, and use to remember what they learned at Sanibel Sea School. Continue reading →

What would you ask for?

When parents asks their son what he wants to do for his 7th birthday, they might have a few possibilities in mind—perhaps a trip to a roller rink, or a pizza parlor, or maybe to see a movie. But for T.J. and Catherine from Kansas City, the answer from their son Tripp was as determined as it was unique: Tripp wanted to go back to Sanibel Sea School to learn about fish. Continue reading →

A primer on red tide

Sanibel and Captiva have recently experienced the first red tide event in several years. Red tide affects all of us in this region in many ways, and the effects of red tide can be very severe. Fortunately the majority of … Continue reading →