Second Chance island is CLOSED from March 1st through August 31st. Briggs Boardwalk is CLOSED FOR RENOVATION until further notice.
Volunteer
Search
Search
Volunteer
Rookery Bay
  • Home
  • Visit

    Visit Rookery Bay

    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
    More Info
    Rookery Bay at Sunrise | Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
    Explore Rookery Bay Reserve
    Kayak, Boat, Camp, Fish, Nature Trails, Shelling and more!
    More Info
  • Eco-Tours

    Guided Eco-Tours

    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!
    More Info
    BOOK NOW
    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.
    More Info
    Book Now
  • Events

    Activities

    Kids & Families
    All Ages Fun
    Learn More
    Lectures & Classes
    Educational & Fun
    Learn More
    Exhibitions & Art Receptions
    Special Events
    Learn More
    Birthday Parties
    Year round, call to book!
    Learn More

    Upcoming Events

    Watercolors & Wildlife
    Monthly
    Learn More
    Essentials of Digital Photography
    Monthly
    Learn More
    Student Institute for Marine Science Camp
    Year Round
    Learn More
    Forest Bathing Wellness Walk
    January-April
    Learn More
    Birding with Biologists
    October-April
    Learn More
    Nature Collage
    October-April
    Learn More
    Moon Walk: Nights in Nature
    October-April
    Learn More
    Perfect Paint Pairs
    October-April
    Learn More
    Nature Journaling
    November-April
    Learn More
    Rookery Bay Community Day
    May 2, 2026
    Learn More
  • Who We Are
    Friends of Rookery Bay White Logo on Dark Blue Background
    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.
    About
    Leadership
    Directory
    Our Impact
    Rookery Bay Research Reserve White Logo on Dark Blue Background
    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.
    About
    Staff Directory
    Our Impact
  • What We Do
    Research
    GIS Mapping
    Monitoring
    Collaborative Research
    Visiting Scientists
    Interactive Stories
    E-Library
    Education
    Programs and Field Trips
    Teachers on the Estuary
    Outreach Requests
    Group Visit Requests
    Conservation
    Invasive Species Monitoring
    Cultural Resource Management
    Habitat Mapping & Change
    Marine Mammal Stranding Network
    Panther Range Expansion
    Listed Species Monitoring
    Prescribed Fires
    Team OCEAN
    Training
    Coastal Training & Engagement
    Training Opportunities
    Training Request
  • Make a Difference
    Rookery Bay & Friends of Rookery Bay Logos | National Estuarine Research Reserve
    Become a Friend
    Members are an intricate part of our organization. Help us protect the environment and wildlife that live here.
    Membership Information
    Donate
    A one-time or monthly donation is an impactful way to support education, research, and conservation.
    Donation Information
    Volunteer
    Hundreds of volunteers play a vital role in the preservation, restoration and management of our mangrove estuary.
    Volunteering Information
  • Shop
  • Q&A
DONATE
Rookery Bay
Menu
DONATE

Tag Archives: Rookery Bay

Home » Posts Tagged "Rookery Bay" (Page 2)
20 Nov
Field Notes, Rookery Bay News

Banded Piping Plover “EHY” Returns to Rookery Bay

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar Amy
A Field Note from Rookery Bay Research Reserve Avian Biologist - Collette Lauzau - On November 13th, as my team and I were monitoring o...

Continue reading

06 Nov
Rookery Bay News

Rookery Bay’s Keith Laakkonen Selected as New President of National Reserve Association

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar Amy
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is pleased to announce Director Keith Laakkonen’s selection as the new President of the...

Continue reading

second chance island | closure extended | rookery bay research reserve
04 Sep
Rookery Bay News, Stewardship

Rookery Bay Extends Closure of Second Chance Sandbar for Nesting Shorebirds

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar Amy
Rookery Bay Research Reserve is temporarily extending the closure of Second Chance Sandbar, a Critical Wildlife Area southeast of Cape ...

Continue reading

Sea Turtle | Hatchling Season | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
16 Jul
Intern Blog, Rookery Bay News

Sea Turtle Hatchlings are Happening at Rookery Bay!

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar Amy
A Field Note from Rookery Bay Turtle Intern - Claire Charde - It’s officially hatchling season here at Rookery Bay Research Reserve! B...

Continue reading

Breakfast with the Birds | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
25 Jun
Rookery Bay News

Breakfast with the Birds Online Series Zooms Through Summer

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar Amy
Last week, Rookery Bay hosted the second virtual Breakfast with the Birds morning lecture in the 2020 Summer Series. More than 50 peopl...

Continue reading

social distance safely | Ecotours | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
08 Jun
Rookery Bay News

Social Distance Safely During Rookery Bay Eco-Tours

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar Amy
Friends of Rookery Bay invites people to get away from crowds, take a deep breath of fresh air, soak up some sunshine and enjoy the wid...

Continue reading

Sea Turtle Nesting Season Begins | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
06 May
Rookery Bay News

Sea Turtle Monitoring Begins at Rookery Bay

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar Amy
On May 4th, sea turtle nesting season officially kicked off at Rookery Bay Research Reserve. Staff members and summer sea turtle intern...

Continue reading

Virtual learning and family activities
14 Apr
Rookery Bay News

Experience Rookery Bay “Virtually” Every Day in April and May

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar Amy
Rookery Bay Research Reserve's Education and Family Programming is going “virtual" every day in April and May. You and your family can ...

Continue reading

Python | Lunch & Learn | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
24 Feb
Rookery Bay News

Lunch & Learn on Pythons Packs Environmental Learning Center

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar Amy
Last Friday at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center a sold-out Lunch and Learn lecture on invasive pythons set off a selfie-ta...

Continue reading

Rookery Bay shark research article in Florida Weekly
02 Jan
News Coverage

Rookery Bay Shark Research Featured in Florida Weekly

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar Amy
Rookery Bay is ringing in 2020 with a front-page story in Florida Weekly featuring our shark research program. The article spotlights R...

Continue reading

Shark Research Lunch and Learn | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
23 Dec
Rookery Bay News

Big Turn Out for Shark Research Lunch & Learn

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar Amy
A huge crowd was on hand for Rookery Bay’s second Lunch & Learn lecture of the season – Shark Research Beyond Our Boundaries. Shark...

Continue reading

  • 1
  • 2
Sitemap
Friends of Rookery Bay Multi-Color Logo
gold-transparency-2025-seal-candid
This is a Friends of Rookery Bay Supported Site. All rights reserved.
Keep up with what’s happening — follow us!
Follow us on Facebook and more! | Friends of Rookery Bay
Follow us on Instagram and more! | Friends of Rookery Bay
Follow us on Youtube and more! | Friends of Rookery Bay
Follow us on Tiktok and more! | Friends of Rookery Bay
Follow us on X and more! | Friends of Rookery Bay
Follow us on Reddit and more! | Friends of Rookery Bay
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday from 9am-4pm
Tel: (239) 530-5972
300 Tower Road Naples, Florida 34113
Contact
Staff Directory
Careers
Tax ID: 65-0094703
NOAA Logo | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Logo | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
Florida International University Logo | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
National Estuarine Research Reserve Logo | Rookey Bay Research Reserve
Friends of Rookery Bay | Designed by RGB Internet Systems
Image Use | Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • Visit Rookery Bay
    • Environmental Learning Center
    • Explore the Reserve
  • Eco-Tours
    • Kayak Tours
    • Boat Tours
  • Events
    • Kids & Families
    • Lectures & Classes
    • Receptions and Art Exhibitions
    • Bash for the Bay
    • Festival of Birds
    • Community Day
  • Who We Are
    • Friends of Rookery Bay
    • Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
  • What We Do
    • Research
    • Education
    • Conservation
    • Training
  • Make a Difference
    • Become a Member
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Q&A
  • Compare

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
Start typing to see posts you are looking for.