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1 North Front Street Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

BECOME A MARINE BIOLOGIST FOR A DAY!
Amelia River Cruises Invites Kids to Catch, Study, and Release Treasures of the Deep
FERNANDINA BEACH, FL - Calling all junior explorers, sea-critter fans, and adventure seekers! Are you ready to get your hands salty and discover what’s hiding beneath the waves? Amelia River Cruises is officially kicking off its Shrimping Eco Tour, and they need YOUR help to man the nets.
The Mission: Catch, Learn, and Release
Fernandina Beach is famous for being the “Birthplace of the Modern Shrimping Industry,” and now you can be part of the history! On this hands-on cruise, you won’t just sit and watch -you’ll be part of the crew.
• Deploy the Net: Help the crew toss out a real "otter trawl" net.
• Big Reveal: Watch as the net is pulled up to see what treasures are inside!
• Mini-Aquariums: See your catch up close in onboard tanks.
• Meet the Expert: An onboard naturalist will help you identify everything from the Atlantic White Shrimp to cool crabs and tiny fish.
• Safe Release: Once we’ve finished our "science," we release all our new friends safely back into their underwater homes.
Wilderness Wonders
The adventure doesn’t stop with shrimping. We’ll cruise through secret backwaters and tidal creeks where the wild things are.
• Playful Dolphins: Watching them splash near the boat.
• Manatees: These "sea cows" love the warm summer water.
• Birds Galore: Spot giant Ospreys, pink Roseate Spoonbills, and hunting Herons.
"Our salt marshes are like a giant nursery for sea creatures," says the team at Amelia River Cruises. "We want kids to see how cool this ecosystem is so they can help us protect it for the future!"
How to Join the Crew
The Shrimping Eco Tour runs on Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays from June through September (public tours) and is available year-round for the ultimate school field trip or private birthday party!
• Where: Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island.
• Tickets: $35 for adults and $25 for children ages 0 to 12.
• Online: AmeliaRiverCruises.com
• Phone: (904) 261-9972
• Pro-Tip: Reservations are highly recommended because these boats fill up fast!
About Amelia River Cruises: We love our river and all the creatures in it! We specialize in showing families the beauty of Amelia Island, Fort Clinch, and the wild horses of Cumberland Island while teaching everyone how to be a friend to the environment.


