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Tour Overview

  • Bus OR flight to South Padre Island, TX
  • Private charter bus transportation for the duration of the tour
  • Hotel accommodations
  • Two breakfasts, three lunches and two dinners
  • Admission to Sea Turtle, Inc.
  • Tickets to sunset boat tour
  • Admission to Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
  • Admission to Coastal Studies Laboratory
  • Beach cleanup activity
  • Visit to the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center
  • Free Tour Leaders 1 Per 15 Paying Students
  • Zoni Tour Manager

Day 1: Marine Life Exploration

Morning:
Depart early for South Padre Island, TX.

Afternoon:
Arrive and meet your Zoni Tour Manager at the hotel.

Have lunch at a local eatery and enjoy the flavors of the island.

Depart for Sea Turtle, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles. Attend a “Turtle Talk” and see a turtle presentation by one of the on-site educators. Tour the facility and learn about sea turtle rehabilitation, conservation efforts, and the different species of sea turtles found in the area.

Take some time this afternoon to enjoy the beach. Take a dip in the ocean before returning to the hotel to prepare for dinner.

Evening:
Have dinner together at an island restaurant.

Climb onboard a dolphin-watching boat tour for a stunning end to your day. Take in a beautiful sunset together as you observe local marine life in its natural habitat.

Return to your hotel and rest up.

Day 2: Environmental Education

Morning: Fuel up for the day with breakfast at your hotel.

Kick things off with a visit to the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, home to more recorded species of birds than any other refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Take an educational tour and encounter a wide variety of animals, including endangered species. With multiple plant varieties, reptiles, amphibians, and more, you’ll witness the incredible biodiversity this refuge has to offer.

Afternoon: Lunch at a local eatery.

Set off on a visit to the Coastal Studies Laboratory, a partner of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Tour the aquariums, see shell collections, and engage your senses with touch tanks and activities. Learn from the experts about the many facets of coastal and marine life in the Gulf of Mexico.

Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant.

After taking in presentations and exhibits on marine conservation, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. Wrap up your tour with a beach cleanup activity, promoting environmental conservation and responsibility.

Return to your hotel for the night.

Day 3: Birding and Farewell

Morning:
Have breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Visit the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary. Explore the walking trails and take advantage of birdwatching opportunities. Climb the five-story observation tower for incredible views and attend a “Gator Talk” to learn about alligator biology.

Afternoon:
Have a final lunch together before departing for home.

Must Know

Environmental Education: South Padre Island is a unique ecosystem with diverse wildlife, including sea turtles, dolphins, and various bird species. This tour provides an opportunity to learn about these animals, their habitats, and the importance of conservation efforts.

Hands-On Learning: Many of the attractions and activities on this tour offer interactive and hands-on learning experiences. Explore touch tanks, wildlife encounters, and contribute to environmental conservation through beach cleanups.

Marine Conservation: South Padre Island is renowned for its sea turtle conservation efforts, and you'll have the chance to see how organizations like Sea Turtle, Inc. work to rehabilitate and protect these endangered creatures.

Environmental Awareness: This tour promotes environmental awareness and responsibility. You'll gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing coastal ecosystems and how individuals and organizations are working to address them. Participating in activities like beach cleanups reinforces the importance of environmental responsibility.

  • South Padre Island has a warm and humid climate. Check the weather forecast before your trip and pack accordingly, including lightweight clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
  • South Padre Island is known for its seafood. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, alert your restaurant staff before ordering.
  • Bring a camera or smartphone to capture the natural beauty and wildlife, but also remember to be respectful and not disturb animals or their habitats for the sake of a photo.

  • Travel time to and from different parts of the country may modify these itineraries.
  • Itineraries are fully customizable.
  • Flexible payment plans are available.

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TOUR ORGANIZER

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General Information

General information regarding student tours and field trips.

We offer a wide variety of customized educational itineraries based upon your curriculum requests and budget.

Tour inclusions vary depending on your itinerary, but all include transportation, accommodations, venue admissions, and most meals (as outlined in your proposal).

Visit www.zoni.edu Tours page and select Plan Your Own Trip, call us at 888-495-0680, or email us at tours@zoni.edu.

Yes. All itineraries are fully customizable based upon your desired destination, curriculum requests, and budget needs.

Because we fully customize every itinerary, we can offer tours to any and every age group.

No, Zoni educational tours are not limited to school students alone. They can be arranged for college students, adult learners, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, language organizations, home-school co-ops, cultural schools/organizations, businesses, or individuals with an interest in acquiring knowledge and exploring new environments.

Absolutely. We cater to various group sizes, including homeschoolers, with fully customizable itineraries.

We require a minimum of ten paying passengers per group. We have no maximum group size.

Planning should begin as soon as possible. International travel is typically planned 12-18 months before departure.

Zoni Educational travel tours have trained Tour Managers and Tour Leaders accompanying the group. For domestic travel there will be one Tour Leader for every 10 students and for international travel, there will be one Tour Leader for every 6 students.

The Tour Leader is a representative from your school. The Tour Manager is affiliated with Zoni Tours and is well versed in the destinations visited.

Yes, for domestic travel we offer one free tour leader per ten paying passengers. For international travel, we offer one free tour leader per six paying passengers.

The itineraries listed on our website include examples of destinations that we travel to, but we are happy to customize a tour of any destination you wish to visit.

While many of our domestic tours are two-night/three-day itineraries, we can customize a tour for any desired length of time.

Your transportation needs will be provided by Zoni Tours, unless otherwise noted in your proposal.

Full names, dates of birth, emergency contacts, dietary restrictions, and any other relevant information needed for your itinerary.

Students and tour leaders will be responsible for securing traveler documents and information. Zoni will keep digital copies of passports and visas for international travel in case of emergency.

All forms are signed at registration along with terms and conditions. Documentation required by your school or organization may vary.

No. Group travel is secured under one booking.

No, seats will be assigned at the time of booking.

While not guaranteed, Zoni Tours will do everything possible to accommodate this request.

Flight changes are available at your own expense, subject to group leaders' approval.

Zoni Tours will accommodate special needs per ADA and section 504. We can secure accommodations in motorcoaches, hotels, and most eateries. However, elements of certain itineraries are not accessible to wheelchairs and other devices. Please make your Educational Group Tour Coordinator aware of any special needs when you begin your travel planning.