Overview
Bring your marine biology lessons to life with an exciting, action-packed adventure in Florida. While on a journey through the Serengeti Plain at Busch Gardens®, students will explore the natural habitat of endangered manatees and discover more about zebras, giraffes, and white rhinos. The aquatic fun continues at Fort DeSoto State Park where students will kayak through calm, shallow waters and study a range of local marine life up close. Students will also participate in the Barrier Island Habitat and Geology Program at Caladesi Island, participating in a series of field activities including the study of currents, wind patterns, and plant identification.
Excursions & Highlights
Your program at a glance, including guided tours, independent visits, photo stops, and immersive activities.
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Tampa, FL
Orientation
Your WorldStrides representative will provide an overview of the key concepts you'll cover throughout the program.
Hotel check-in
Enjoy a pizza dinner and a pool party at the hotel.
Day 2
Breakfast
Barrier Island Habitat and Geology program
Study the geology of Caladesi Island, an untouched barrier island, with marine scientists from Florida State University. Head outdoors to perform experiments and learn how wind, water, and plants shape the dunes.
Lunch
ZooTampa at Lowry Park visit
Step into the natural world where endangered animals like Malayan tigers and Komodo dragons have a safe home at this top-rated zoological park. Explore immersive habitats of safari animals like kangaroos and wallabies, feed giraffes, and get behind-the-scenes access to rhinos and koalas.
Dinner and return to hotel
Day 3
Breakfast
Snorkel with manatees at Crystal River
Grab your snorkel gear and learn about the history of the endangered manatee as you float through these warm, spring-fed waters. Dive in and swim alongside the gentle giants in the only place in the U.S. where you can legally swim and snorkel with manatees in their natural habitat.
Lunch
Rainbow River snorkel
Float downstream in this spring-fed, bright turquoise-colored river where the temperature is a constant 72°F. Swim to the bottom to look for prehistoric sharks' teeth that rise up as underground, limestone caverns erode.
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park visit
Visit Florida's endemic species that cannot survive in the wild, such as Florida panthers, red wolves, black bears, and a famous hippo named Lu. Go below the surface at this serene and lush wildlife sanctuary to watch manatees swimming and dining on seagrass in an underwater observatory.
Dinner and return to hotel
Day 4
Breakfast
Fort DeSoto Waters Edge kayaking
Glide through the beautiful, crystal-clear waters at Fort DeSoto, along mangrove forests, while a marine scientist teaches you about these habitats, home to over 328 bird species and nesting sea turtles. Combine the natural world with the artistic one by painting a watercolor of your observations.
Fort De Soto Park
Continue habitat exploration at Fort De Soto with a fishing activity to compare marine life found in mangroves and seagrass.
Lunch
Clearwater Marine Aquarium visit
Learn about the important work of rescuing and rehabilitating sea life, such as dolphins, turtles, and otters, at this aquarium dedicated to saving, treating, and releasing marine life. Meet dolphins, feed stingrays, hear about the legacy of Winter the dolphin from Dolphin Tale, and more.
Dinner
Clearwater Beach visit
Feel the powdery soft and cool-to-the-touch, white quartz sand between your toes at this unique and beautiful beach. Stroll the shoreline and enjoy the calm, clear Gulf of Mexico waters.
Day 5
Breakfast and hotel check-out
Busch Gardens visit
Move between riding thrilling roller coasters to meeting exotic creatures at this park that blends both adventure with animal conservation, housing more than 2,700 exotic creatures.
African Safari at Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay
Journey through the African veldt in an open-truck tour to discover the magnificent wildlife inhabiting this 65-acre Serengeti Plain. Your professional wildlife expert will introduce you to an array of exotic species including zebras, giraffes, and rare white rhinos. You’ll find many opportunities to photograph these incredible animals and the breathtaking views!
Lunch
Busch Gardens Exhibits
Immerse yourself in this zoological park with exhibits like Serengeti Plain, home to giraffes, zebras, and rhinos, and the Edge of Africa features lions, hippos, hyenas, and meerkats. Watch lorikeets enjoy their lunch and feel the thrill of rides like the Falcon's Fury with a 335-foot drop.
Depart for home
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
WorldStrides Course Leader - a dynamic destination expert who brings learning to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Field Research Guide (Discovery Journal)
Scenes From Recent STEM Trips
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.