About
Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center Programs offers hiking, lectures, Wild Wednesdays with nature films, eco kayak tours, wading trips, camps, Little Explorers, guided walks in Charlotte County, and seagrass wading trips. Eco kayak tours are for children age 10 and older, and anyone under 16 must share a double-seated kayak with an adult. Guided hikes, eco kayak tours, and guided walks require registration.
Programs
- Hiking — Every Tuesday during season; nighttime guided hikes offered · Free guided hikes led by naturalists; registration is required.
- Lectures — Lecture series on biology, ecology, history, and more.
- Wild Wednesdays — On select Wednesdays during season · Curated nature films.
- Eco Kayak Tours — Children must be 10 years of age or older; anyone under 16 must share a double-seated kayak with an adult. · No experience or equipment needed; outfitter provides everything needed. Meet at CHEC. Watch the calendar for tour dates.
- Wading Trips — Public and private paid wading adventures at both locations; Punta Gorda trips take place at Ponce de Leon Park.
- Camps — Hands-on camp activities, experiments, animal encounters, field trips, and science experiments.
- Little Explorers — During season · Environmental education for littlest explorers with live animal ambassadors and unique exhibits.
- Guided Walks in Charlotte County — Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from November to April; between May and October all walks begin at 8am · Free guided nature walks, open to the public, with advance registration required.
- Seagrass Wading Trips — Free regularly scheduled wading trips, nighttime wading trips, and private wading trips.
At a glance
- Ages: 10–18 years old
- General schedule: See calendar for upcoming and ongoing programs and events. Guided walks generally begin at 9:00 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from November to April; between May to October all walks begin at 8am.
- Facility hours: Alligator Creek office hours: Monday-Friday 8am-4pm; trails open 7 days a week from dawn to dusk. Cedar Point visitor center: Monday-Saturday 8:00-4:00; park open every day from sunrise to sunset.
About the provider
Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center has provided environmental education, recreation, environmental research, and conservation lands management services since 1987. Its environmental education programs inform, inspire, and empower people of all age ranges. It collaborates with Charlotte County School teachers to deliver programs to students and other educational institutions, and it works with the county to inform the general public through guided walks and lectures.
Registration is required for guided hikes, eco kayak tours, and guided walks. Children under 16 must share a double-seated kayak with an adult. Group sizes for seagrass wading trips are limited to a maximum of 12 people. Paid wading trips are $15.00 per person with a minimum of 6 persons.
Last updated September 9, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.