Sanibel Sea School invites Lee County students and any visiting spring breakers, ages 6 to 13, to dive deep into our immersive and fun half-day courses about sea turtles, manatees, dolphins, seashells, and more the week of March 18.

Check out our list of available courses and join the fun.

Monday, March 18

Dolphins – Life’s Better with Your Pod

1 – 4 p.m.

Discover the ocean from a dolphin’s perspective, unveiling their unique perceptions and social dynamics. We’ll also head to the beach to fish like a dolphin would. This class is all about fun in the waves; think monofin races, body surfing, and board surfing. Maybe we’ll even be lucky enough to encounter a playful pod in the Gulf!

Tuesday, March 19

Squid and Octopus – Naked Mollusks

9 a.m – Noon

Squid and octopus are perhaps the most intelligent invertebrate animals, and although we can never be assured of finding one, we go on an octopus hunt, immersing ourselves in their likely haunts.

Elasmobranchs – Cartilaginous Fish, Not Foe

1 – 4 p.m.

With a mission to dispel myths and misconceptions, this course focuses on our friends: sharks, skates, and rays. We’ll highlight their pivotal role in the ocean and their misunderstood nature and explore Sanibel’s waters, hoping to observe one in the wild.

Wednesday, March 20

Sea Turtles – From Eggs to the Deep Blue

9 a.m. – Noon

Learn about the seven sea turtle species, their nesting habits, and their challenges. By the end of the course, students will identify sea turtle nests, create art projects from natural materials, understand reptiles, and even get hands-on experience with sea turtle bones.

Seahorses – The Ultimate Mr. Mom

1 – 4 p.m.

Famous for their role reversal in reproduction, seahorses are arguably the coolest fish on the planet – ask any mom. Seahorses are also masters of disguise, camouflaging themselves in our local seagrass beds. We’ll explore their habitats and might find a pregnant male!

Thursday, March 21

Seashells – Sally Sells Them, but Who Makes Them?

9 a.m. – Noon

Sanibel Island is a shelling paradise. But who made these mysterious works of art, and why are there so many shells on our beaches? We’ll comb the beaches in search of the most coveted shells, learn the names of a few, and dip beneath the sand to find the creatures that create them.

Waves – The Motion of the Ocean

1 – 4 p.m.

Whether you’re a wave enthusiast, a beachgoer, or a budding surfer, this course has something for everyone. It explores the origins and characteristics of waves. From creating waves to feeling the ocean’s rhythm and even learning to surf, catch a wave with us!

Friday, March 22

Manatees – Mermaids Among Us

9 a.m. – Noon

Historically mistaken for mermaids, hence their Latin name Sirenia, manatees grace us with their presence in coastal habitats where they can munch on plenty of seagrass, algae, and mangrove leaves. Exploring their habitat — using snorkeling techniques and even seining to catch seagrass bed inhabitants — will offer students a firsthand experience of the manatee’s world.

Crabs – Molting Through Life

1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

From the shores to the deep sea, crabs are iconic ocean dwellers with diverse body types and lifestyles that have evolved in astonishing ways. We’ll investigate the process of molting and how these creatures renew their exoskeletons, take a closer look at their intricate under microscopes, and then venture into the field to find crabs along Sanibel’s shores. It’s sure to be a claw-raising adventure!