Second Chance island is CLOSED from March 1st through August 31st. Briggs Boardwalk is CLOSED FOR RENOVATION until further notice.
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Rookery Bay
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    Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center | Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
    Environmental Learning Center
    Tuesday – Saturday: 9 am – 4 pm
    Sunday and Monday : Closed
    Address: 300 Tower Rd. Naples, FL 34113
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    Rookery Bay at Sunrise | Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
    Explore Rookery Bay Reserve
    Kayak, Boat, Camp, Fish, Nature Trails, Shelling and more!
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    Boat Tours | Eco Tours | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
    Boat Tours
    Explore the unique ecosystem of Rookery Bay with a variety of unique boat tour adventures to choose from!
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    Rookery Bay Kayak Tours | Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
    Kayak Tours & Rentals
    Take a tour or rent your own. Home delivery to Marco Island and south Naples or Isles of Capri Paddlecraft Park.
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    Birding with Biologists
    October-April
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    Nature Collage
    October-April
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    Moon Walk: Nights in Nature
    October-April
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    Perfect Paint Pairs
    October-April
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    Nature Journaling
    November-April
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    Forest Bathing Wellness Walk
    January-April
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    Festival of Birds
    January 15-19
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    Bash for the Bay
    February 19, 2026
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    Student Institute for Marine Science
    Year Round
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  • Who We Are
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    Friends of Rookery Bay
    The Friends of Rookery Bay’s ongoing mission has been to help connect people with southwest Florida’s dynamic coastal environment in support of the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
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    Rookery Bay Research Reserve
    Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve stretches across 110,000 acres from Gordon Pass in Naples to the western Everglades of pristine mangrove forest, uplands and protected waters.
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    Hundreds of volunteers play a vital role in the preservation, restoration and management of our mangrove estuary.
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News

Hatching Season in Full Swing in Naples | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
06 Aug
Intern Blog

HATCHING SEASON IN FULL SWING

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar info@rookerybay.org
As summer marches on, the nesting season is slowly winding down. But, as you may already know, that means it is Sea Turtle Hatching Sea...

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Second Chance Island | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
27 Jul
Field Notes

SECOND CHANCE, THIRD CHANCE?

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar info@rookerybay.org
Several weeks ago, I accepted an invitation from Anne Mauro, our avian ecologist, to assist her team with counting birds and bringing b...

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Shark Research in Naples | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
18 Jul
Field Notes

NOT ONE, NOT TWO BUT THREE

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar info@rookerybay.org
On Wednesday evening, I set out with Pat, our fisheries biologist, and a boat full of volunteers for Pumpkin Bay to enjoy a night of sh...

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The Elusive Mangrove Cuckoo | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
11 Jul
Field Notes

STALKING THE ELUSIVE MANGROVE CUCKOO

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar info@rookerybay.org
I was skeptical when Keith asked if I wanted to zip down to Shell Island Road with him to see if he could find the Mangrove Cuckoo that...

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Encounter with a Manatee in Naples | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
19 Jun
Intern Blog

MY ENCOUNTER WITH A FLORIDA MANATEE

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar info@rookerybay.org
Because it is summer, manatees are a less commonly-seen species of marine animal on the water during turtle patrol. But when we do get ...

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Estuary Encounter in Naples | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
05 Apr
News Coverage

NEW “ESTUARY ENCOUNTER” INTERACTIVE EXHIBIT UNVEILED AT ROOKERY BAY ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar info@rookerybay.org
NAPLES, Fla. – Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve has unveiled a new, 180-gallon marine life exhibit at the Rookery Bay En...

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Ongoing Mangrove Restoration in Naples | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
06 Mar
Field Notes

ONGOING MANGROVE RESTORATION PROJECT ON MARCO ISLAND

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar info@rookerybay.org
Recently I assisted scientists from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) studying the mangrove ecosystem at a future restoration ...

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Cane Toads in Naples | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
07 Jul
Stewardship

KEEPING YOUR PETS SAFE AROUND CANE TOADS

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar info@rookerybay.org
Cane toads (Rhinella marina) are on the move and in the news. They are nonnative species that can be deadly to curious pets because the...

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IMPORTANT UPDATES

Briggs Boardwalk is closed until further notice due to renovations.

Restricted Icon Dark Blue | Rookery Bay Research Reserve

Camping and Reserve Restrictions

Camping Closures: April 1st – October 31st

  • Areas south of San Marco Road will be closed to camping from April 1st to October 31st due to the presence of nesting sea turtles and shorebirds. These areas will remain open for day use unless otherwise posted. This closure includes:
    • Dickmans Island
    • Kice Island
    • Blind Pass
    • Morgan Beach
    • Cape Romano
    • Gullivan Key
    • Whitehorse Key
    • Hog Key
    • Camp Lulu
  • Portions of the Reserve north of San Marco Road, including Keewaydin Island, will remain open to camping year-round unless otherwise posted.

Second Chance Critical Wildlife Area / “Shell Island”

  • Second Chance (also known as Shell Island) is CLOSED March 1 - August 31, 2026, to protect nesting shorebirds.
  • Camping on Second Chance is closed all year.

The Reserve’s 110,000 acres provide campers with access to one of the few remaining undisturbed mangrove estuaries in North America. Primitive camping is allowed in designated locations within the reserve.  Review the guidelines and safety tips to ensure your next camping trip is memorable.

  • Primitive camping is allowed in "Designated Areas" marked with [tent icon] on the map above.
  • Designated camping locations north of San Marco Road are open year-round. Designated camping locations south of San Marco Road are open November 1st – March 31st.
  • Permits or reservations are not required. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Visitors found camping in locations that are not designated for this use may be asked to leave by FWC or other law enforcement entity.
  • Camping rules may be different within the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Please visit their website to follow their guidelines - https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ten-thousand-islands/visit-us/activities/camping
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