About
Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center Programs include guided hikes, wading trips, eco kayak tours, animal encounters, science experiments, and seasonal camps. The programs also offer topical lectures, a lecture series, curated films, Wild Wednesdays curated nature films, nighttime guided hikes, field trips, and the Little Explorers program that uses live animal ambassadors and unique exhibits with hands-on interaction.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Trails are open 7 days a week from dawn to dusk, with office and museum hours Monday–Friday 8am–4pm, free guided hikes every Tuesday during season, and Wild Wednesdays films on select Wednesdays during season
• Price: Paid wading trips are $15.00 per person with a minimum of 6 persons
Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing environmental education, recreation, and conservation efforts to the local community and beyond. It is located on more than 46,000 acres of preserve land with four interconnected hiking trails, and eco kayak tours along Alligator Creek out to Charlotte Harbor use an outfitter that provides all needed equipment, with no prior kayak experience required. For eco kayak tours, participants are instructed to bring plenty of drinking water and wear sun protection such as long sleeves and hats or reef-safe sunscreen with no oxybenzone, and for wading trips, guests are instructed to bring sun protection and water and are encouraged to wear sneakers or water shoes. Children must be 10 years of age or older for kayak tours, and anyone under 16 must share a double-seated kayak with an adult.
In 1987, Charles E. Caniff Sr.'s vision of an environmental center in Charlotte County, Florida, was realized as the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center. CHEC provides a multitude of educational and community outreach programs, offers public and private wading adventures and outreach programs about Florida ecosystems and wildlife, and relies on volunteers to help carry out its mission and invites people to get involved.
Last updated May 31, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Trails are open 7 days a week from dawn to dusk, with office and museum hours Monday–Friday 8am–4pm, free guided hikes every Tuesday during season, and Wild Wednesdays films on select Wednesdays during season
• Price: Paid wading trips are $15.00 per person with a minimum of 6 persons
Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing environmental education, recreation, and conservation efforts to the local community and beyond. It is located on more than 46,000 acres of preserve land with four interconnected hiking trails, and eco kayak tours along Alligator Creek out to Charlotte Harbor use an outfitter that provides all needed equipment, with no prior kayak experience required. For eco kayak tours, participants are instructed to bring plenty of drinking water and wear sun protection such as long sleeves and hats or reef-safe sunscreen with no oxybenzone, and for wading trips, guests are instructed to bring sun protection and water and are encouraged to wear sneakers or water shoes. Children must be 10 years of age or older for kayak tours, and anyone under 16 must share a double-seated kayak with an adult.
In 1987, Charles E. Caniff Sr.'s vision of an environmental center in Charlotte County, Florida, was realized as the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center. CHEC provides a multitude of educational and community outreach programs, offers public and private wading adventures and outreach programs about Florida ecosystems and wildlife, and relies on volunteers to help carry out its mission and invites people to get involved.
Last updated May 31, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.