With an abundance of rivers, creeks and estuaries to explore, these trips were selected to showcase some of the Space Coast's very best locales. Estuary trips may provide glimpses of bottle-nose dolphins, but sightings of manatees in open estuarine waters at this time of the year might be rare due to cold temperatures. The weather can be uncertain at the end of January. It is advisable that you contact the provider on the afternoon before the scheduled trip. Be sure to ask the provider what you need to bring to make your trip more enjoyable. Note: Make your reservations directly with the Water Adventure provider. The Festival is not responsible for transactions between providers and attendees.

Jan. 25, 26, 27, 6:30am-10:00am; $50/person

Reservation required: Call A Day Away Kayak Tours 321-268-2655 9:00am-6:00pm, Monday through Saturday.

Capt. Ron Thorstad (A Day Away Kayak Tours)

Meet at the boat ramp at the North end of the Titusville Municipal Marina.

Email: info@adayawaykayaktours.com   Website: www.adayawaykayaktours.com

This relaxing and comfortable adventure will visit the spoil islands between SR406 and the Haulover Canal with emphasis on Mullethead, Wading Bird Rookery Island and Tank Island. This three hour tour can accommodate six guests in comfort and style while providing a very stable platform for photography and videos of your favorite birds and marine mammals.

Jan. 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 1:30pm-3:00pm; $35/person

Reservation required: Reservations can be made with AirBoat Rides at MidWay by phone 407-568-6790, fax 407-568-6792, or email jae@airboatridesatmidway.com. Be sure to specify 2012 Birding & Wildlife Festival field trip. Space is limited. Confirmation provided upon payment by Visa, MasterCard, or Discover.

Captain Derrick Lockhart (AirBoat Rides at MidWay); Jan. 26 with Richard Crossley; Jan. 28 & 29 with Jason Guerard

From intersection of SR50 & I-95 (exit 215) go west 5 miles. You will see AirBoat Rides At MidWay on right with its mural-painted building and dock. 28501 E. Colonial Dr. (SR50), Christmas, FL

Dress warmly as it can be chilly on the water.

Email: info@airboatridesatmidway.com   Website: www.AirBoatRidesAtMidWay.com

Capt. Lockhart and the day's birding guide will narrate as you glide along the marshes and into a secluded cypress forest viewing an abundance of wading birds, waterfowl, and raptors in an area accessible only by airboat due to the shallow depth. Listen through voice-activated headsets as your guide points out the ongoing activity and habitat of the many species found here. Other wildlife, including the native alligator, may also be encountered on this trip. No walking required. A great opportunity for birders who prefer to avoid strenuous walking or hiking.

Jan. 28, 9:00am-12:00pm; $35/person

Reservation required: Wildside Tours (800) 695-1770 or 321-799-5495

Capt. Jeanette Vasbinder (Wildside Tours) and Jim Angy, professional nature photographer

From I-95 or US 1, turn left on SR528. This will turn into A1A at Cape Canaveral. Continue south on A1A to Cocoa Beach. Go past Minuteman Cswy. and City Hall. Turn right on South 5th St. for one block, then turn left on Brevard for 100 yards. Turn right on Ramp Rd. for about 2 blocks to the city park at the end. Find the only catamaran tour boat.

Dress warmly for cold weather and a little spray.

Website: www.wildsidetours.com for a map and more information.

Birds, Dolphins and Mangrove islands, Oh My! Capt. Jeanette cruises these islands daily, has watched some of the animals since birth and knows them well! Jim is a nature photographer/birder with 40 years of local experience and photographs in national publications. Jim can give some photography tips but this trip will cover more habitats at a faster pace than our nature photography class. With more people on board, there will be less room for equipment. The 10 to 15 mile cruise on a comfortable 22 passenger motor catamaran with restroom will cover most of the lagoon's habitats including the delightful "Bird Island" Rookery, canals and mangrove channels. This replaces the Thousand Island Biogeography trip with a little more emphasis on birds. We had only 32 species last year but had 52 in 2008 when the regular ducks were here. Some of the species we usually see are White Pelicans, Roseate Spoonbills, Night Herons and Reddish Egrets. We'll see some passerines, wading birds and raptors. Bottlenose Dolphins are common to this brackish water, and we sometimes will spot other mammals and reptiles. Unlimited free beverages are included.

Jan 27, 6:15am-9:30am; $45/person

Reservation required: Wildside Tours (800) 695-1770 or 321-799-5495

Capt. Ben Evans (Wildside Tours) and Jim Angy, professional nature photographer From I-95 or US 1, turn left on SR528. This will turn into A1A at Cape Canaveral. Continue south on A1A to Cocoa Beach. Go past Minuteman Cswy. and City Hall. Turn right on South 5th St. for one block, then turn left on Brevard for 100 yards. Turn right on Ramp Rd. for about 2 blocks to the city park at the end. Find the only catamaran tour boat.

Website: www.wildsidetours.com for a map and more information.

We'll go to Bird Island at sunrise. This is a very active rookery with a winter population of Roseate Spoonbills, White Pelicans and Reddish Egrets as well as the other usual wading and shore birds. Jim is a nationally published nature photographer with 40 years of local experience. He will discuss and teach basic concepts like composition, lighting, exposures and the importance of learning the animals' behavior patterns. We may not see as many species as MIWR would provide but we should be able to get much closer. Tripods aren't needed or very effective on the boat but the 22 passenger catamaran is very stable for 500mm and even greater by hand. At least 300 mm is highly recommended. We'll stay at the islands long enough to shoot some interesting behavior of birds and maybe dolphins. Check our website at www.wildsidetours.com for examples. We'll travel through the mangroves and the open Banana River lagoon so please over dress for cold and maybe a little spray. We'll provide coffee, soft drinks, bottled water and snacks.

Jan. 24, 3:00pm-5:00pm; $22/person

Jan. 31, 9:00am-11:00am; $22/person

Reservation required: Call 772-589-5050. Staff answering phone will take reservation - no email reservations accepted.

Environmental Learning Center Guides

Meet at The Environmental Learning Center, 255 Live Oak Drive Vero Beach Fl 32960. Meet your guide at the first building you come to, called the Entry Pavilion.

If winds are forecast to be about 25mph, we reserve the right to cancel the trip. Please note that temperatures are always about 10 degrees cooler on the water, so check the forecast and dress appropriately. Bring a jacket just in case. No special shoes needed, but, we do strongly suggest closed-toed shoes. Bring water, hat, and sunglasses.

Focus: Birds, both their natural history and the role they played in our local history. Pelican Island is where it all started, our nation's very first national wildlife refuge. Board the ELC's pontoon boat for a naturalist guided excursion, detailing the history of the refuge and the conservation movement in Florida. And of course, nesting birds abound on the island!

Jan. 26, 2:00pm-5:00pm; $40/person

Reservation required: Wildside Tours (800) 695-1770 or 321-799-5495

Capt. Ben Evans (Wildside Tours), Jim Eager and Capt. Jeanette Vasbinder (Wildside Tours)

From Titusville, take US 1 south or 1-95 south. Turn left onto SR528 towards Cape Canaveral. Turn left at N. Banana River Dr., then an immediate left onto Sea Ray Dr. Turn right at Harbortown Dr. to the Marina, 2700 Harbortown Dr., Merritt Island. Drive time is approx. 30 minutes.

Website: www.wildsidetours.com for a map and more information.

This tour offers variety! Last time we saw shorebirds from peeps to Avocets and Dowitchers. We saw many of the wading birds. We also saw White and Brown Pelicans, terns, ducks and even gannets and scoters. There will also be interesting trips through the locks where we will see cruise ships, fishing vessels and military ships. We'll see dolphins and, if the weather allows us to get to the end of the jetties where the ocean begins, we'll also see sea turtles. This tour will start and end at Harbortown Marina on the historic Barge Canal which can be considered the eco-tone between the temperate zone and the subtropics. Ben and Jeanette are Master Captains and naturalists. Ben is a former science teacher/biogeographer. Jim is a birder with field research experience in raptors and sparrows. This could be a good trip for birders and their spouses. The stable 22 passenger catamaran has a sunshade but no windows so dress for cold and spray. There is a possibility of seeing manatees at this location since it is close to the warmer waters of the power plant. We provide free soft drinks, bottled water and beer; there is a restroom on board. Harbortown Marina has a nice waterfront restaurant.

Jan. 27, 1:30pm-3:30pm; $26/person

Jan. 28, 9:00am-11:00am; $26/person

Reservation required: Call 772-589-5050. Staff answering phone will take reservation - no email reservations accepted.

Environmental Learning Center Guides

Meet at Dale Wimbrow County Park. 11805 Roseland Road in North Indian River County (Roseland area) Meet at the boat ramp.

If winds are forecast to be about 25mph, we reserve the right to cancel the trip. Please note that temperatures are always about 10 degrees cooler on the water, so check the forecast and dress appropriately. Bring a jacket just in case. No special shoes needed, but, we do strongly suggest closed toe shoes. Bring water, hat, and sunglasses.

Focus: The West Indian Manatee - an endangered species protected under several state and federal acts. These large, loveable mammals seek refuge in the St. Sebastian River because it acts as a warm water refuge for them in the cool winter mornings. So that is where we're headed! Join us on a naturalist-guided pontoon boat excursion in the St. Sebastian River as we go manatee spotting.

Jan. 25, 26, 27, 28, 6:30am-8:00am; $32/adult, $24/child, $15/own boat

Reservation required: Call A Day Away 321-268-2655 9:00am-6:00pm, Monday through Saturday.

A Day Away Professional Guides

Meet at the northwest corner of the Haulover Canal.

Email: info@adayawaykayaktours.com   Website: www.adayawaykayaktours.com

Sunrise is the magic hour with the best lighting for photography and video. Be sure to bring a dry bag for your equipment and we will put you in an area alive and teaming with the many species of birds that call Mullethead, Wading Bird Rookery Island their home. You will have a front row seat as the birds wake-up and start their busy (and noisy) days.

Jan. 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 5:00pm-6:30pm; $32/adult, $24/child, $15/own boat

Reservations required: Call A Day Away Kayak Tours 321-268-2655 9:00am-6:00pm, Monday through Saturday.

A Day Away professional guides

Directions: Meet at the N.W. corner of the Haulover Canal.

Email: info@adayawaykayaktours.com   Website: www.adayawaykayaktours.com

Sunset is a magical time on the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. There is movement everywhere. Dolphin are rounding up their dinner, manatee are heading out to the grass flats to find a comfortable spot to spend the night. Mullethead Island transforms from a fairly active rookery where over fifteen different species nest and raise their young to a metropolitan meeting site with thousands of birds - locals and migrating birds coming in to roost in the evening. It is amazing how many different species come to roost and how many birds will actually fit onto this little 2-acre island. You can imagine the way it SOUNDS... This tour focuses on spending time seeing the wildlife especially around Mullethead Island and enjoying the cooler part of the day and the beauty of our Florida sunsets. The trip runs about two hours and finishes just after sunset.

Jan. 25 & 29, 8:30am-12:00pm; with boat rental $25/person; with own boat $15/person

Reservation required: Space Coast Kayaking 321-243-0279, cell 321-784-2452

Jim Durocher (Space Coast Kayaking 321-243-0279, cell 321-784- 2452) Jan. 25 with Xavier de Seguin des Hons (Environmentally Endangered Lands Program)

From the intersection of SR50 and SR405 (by the Walmart) in Titusville, take SR405 (South St.) north approx. 2 ½ miles to Fox Lake Rd. Turn left and go west 2 miles to the park. Follow road along the lakeshore until you see the kayaks. From intersection of US 1 and Garden St., go west on Garden St. approx. 3 miles to the 4-way stop. Turn left on S. Carpenter Rd. and follow to the end. Turn right on Fox Lake Rd.

Email: info@spacecoastkayaking.net   Website: www.spacecoastkayaking.net

Two beautiful freshwater lakes joined by a canal are frequented by some highly sought-after birds, including Limpkin, Purple Gallinule, Black-bellied Whistling Duck and Bald Eagle. A variety of wading birds, waterfowl and raptors are expected. If time allows, a planned break stop will be made on Hunter's Brooke Environmentally Endangered Lands property, which also includes an Indian midden.