Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve represents one of the few remaining undisturbed mangrove estuaries in North America. Rookery Bay's Environmental Learning Center is a state-of-the-art, air conditioned 16,500 square-foot facility with four research laboratories, classrooms, a 140-seat auditorium, and two story visitor center. The Environmental Learning Center offers a variety of hands-on experiences, including a 2,300-gallon aquarium and a marine life touch tank. Other displays in the learning center address coastal research, local history and ongoing conservation efforts within Rookery Bay. There is also a number of nature trails, a scenic overlook bridge, unique gift store, art gallery, and picnic area. Guided boat and kayak tours are offered seasonally from November to May. Check our website for more information.
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  • prpljl
    9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    SWFL treasure spot!
    My first time experience was an enjoyable lunch presentation about drone mapping of the 110,000 acre estuary and the geographical changes of southwest Florida since 1940. The minimal fee included entry to the educational learning center (touch tanks great for children 3+), butterfly garden (blue italia native to SWFL only - pic attanched), and snail walk. The speaker and volunteers were informative and passionate about their mission in caring for this protected area. There are kayak and eco tours which allow you to immerse yourselves in nature even more.
    Visited March 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written March 31, 2023
  • Sara C
    Naples, Florida3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful and Educational
    My trip to Rookery Bay was an amazing educational experience, as well as a very fun way to enjoy the scenery and wildlife of Naples. I was blown away by how interactive and well put together the education center was. I learned so much about the history of Rookery Bay in Collier County, as well as a lot of new facts about the ecosystem and wildlife found around. They had a touch tank that had many species! They have indoor attractions for when it may be too hot to explore outdoors, but the outdoor walkway was shaded by beautiful mangroves and quiet cool. The staff/volunteers were so friendly and informative. I highly recommend checking out Rookery Bay. It had lots to learn and do for both children and adults!
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written August 6, 2023
  • Nicole H
    Stockbridge, Michigan8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not open on Monday!
    Closed on Monday - so we really have no idea but this site says open on Monday and it was not. Just trying to help others. We could not find any trails that were not closed off. We drove around looking for other ways to just walk and didn’t see any
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written January 22, 2024
  • 335arthurd
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Rookery Bay Educational Center experience!
    My wife and I were invited to attend a gallery opening held at the Rookery Bay Educational Center. We found the people to be very professional, very welcoming and politley engaging. The photography exhibit presented very talented artists' works. The hors d'oeuvres were not just food, but a well laid out informational and active environmental center. We were impressed by the well run affair, and for the pleasant public event.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written February 23, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles427 reviews
Excellent
295
Very good
90
Average
29
Poor
8
Terrible
5

335arthurd
Naples, United States4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
My wife and I were invited to attend a gallery opening held at the Rookery Bay Educational Center. We found the people to be very professional, very welcoming and politley engaging. The photography exhibit presented very talented artists' works. The hors d'oeuvres were not just food, but a well laid out informational and active environmental center. We were impressed by the well run affair, and for the pleasant public event.
Written February 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cynthia W
Freeland, MI814 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
This is an educational facility for young children with hands on displays. A fee to get in to see displays and use the grounds. This is not what we were looking for. I understand they do a lot of kayak guided tours. We were looking for birding and hiking trails. They don't exist here. We moved on.
Written February 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nicole H
Stockbridge, MI8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Friends
Closed on Monday - so we really have no idea but this site says open on Monday and it was not. Just trying to help others. We could not find any trails that were not closed off. We drove around looking for other ways to just walk and didn’t see any
Written January 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

travelerfanatic
Germany127 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
The Virtual Binocular Tour was perfect for us. The first half took place online, where we learned about the birds, their habits, habitats and how to recognize them. The second part was in the field, where we actually went out to look for and identified the birds with the specialists. It was a great experience, something I would do again!
Written December 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sara C
Naples, FL3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Friends
My trip to Rookery Bay was an amazing educational experience, as well as a very fun way to enjoy the scenery and wildlife of Naples. I was blown away by how interactive and well put together the education center was. I learned so much about the history of Rookery Bay in Collier County, as well as a lot of new facts about the ecosystem and wildlife found around. They had a touch tank that had many species! They have indoor attractions for when it may be too hot to explore outdoors, but the outdoor walkway was shaded by beautiful mangroves and quiet cool. The staff/volunteers were so friendly and informative. I highly recommend checking out Rookery Bay. It had lots to learn and do for both children and adults!
Written August 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kirsten C
6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
What a beautiful education center. We joined as annual members and got information o. Volunteering. We will definitely be back.
Written August 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

linda
Salem, NH2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Couples
Wonderful lunch n learn about sea turtles. We took our time and visited The Rookery exhibits. Would like to go back and take the boat tour.
Written April 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Michele
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023
The Rookery has so much to offer. Today I attended a lunch and learn, It was outstanding. The subject was on sea turtles. The have a different topic each month.
So many other opportunities. A must visit.
Written April 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

prpljl
9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Friends
My first time experience was an enjoyable lunch presentation about drone mapping of the 110,000 acre estuary and the geographical changes of southwest Florida since 1940. The minimal fee included entry to the educational learning center (touch tanks great for children 3+), butterfly garden (blue italia native to SWFL only - pic attanched), and snail walk. The speaker and volunteers were informative and passionate about their mission in caring for this protected area. There are kayak and eco tours which allow you to immerse yourselves in nature even more.
Written March 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

195508Anonymous
261 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
We visited the National Estuarine Reserve on a cool day in March. There is a short and very nice trail outside the education center. It has some nice lookouts and it is an easy walk. We checked out the movie which runs on a loop and explains how the Reserve came to be and the essential work its scientists, staff and volunteers do. There are some exhibits and a small aquarium which are interesting but can be quickly viewed. The gift shop has some nice items and all proceeds from the shop and the admission go towards the advancement of the Reserve's mission. Although we enjoyed the visit, I feel there could be more done with exhibits since the trail itself is so short. We may take one of the Boat Tours which go into the Reserve and see first hand what good work this organization is doing.
Written March 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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