The only thing better than enjoying a spectacular experience in nature is sharing that experience with your family. We have many trips that cater to families and offer educational and active experiences that will create lifelong memories.
The following family-friendly trips have scheduled departures in summer 2022 (and 2023) or can be easily arranged on custom dates for private family groups (just ask!).
Belize: Ocean Wildlife Volunteer Program
Overview: Join us for an exciting volunteer week on St. George’s Caye, Belize, a secluded island located just a mile from the Belize Barrier Reef, part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which supports healthy coral reefs, endangered manatees and sea turtles, and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, and is a nursery ground for queen conch.
What makes this a great trip for families? This trip is great for the inquisitive kid in all of us as we work side-by-side with researchers to understand how they answer questions like: Is this coral reef healthy? How many dolphins and manatees are there? How do sea turtles use the reef? Whether you are a kid at heart, or have a kid that asks lots of questions, this tropical expedition will have you all working together to try and solve nature’s mysteries while creating unforgettable memories.
Dates: July 23-30 , 2022
Kenya Safari: Twin Migrations – Wildebeest and Whales
Overview: Our safari is timed to match the simultaneous migrations of wildebeest in the Masai Mara and of humpback whales along the coast and includes opportunities to see Africa’s “Big Five” — African lions, African leopards, African elephants, cape buffalo, and rhinoceros.
What makes this a great trip for families? There is nothing like a safari to broaden your family’s world view. While people go on safaris to see majestic animals like elephants, rhinos, and cheetahs, most travelers discover that, beyond the animals, it is the people you meet along the way that stay with you. The ranger that tells you a special natural history fact; the driver that teaches you some Swahili phrases; the Maasai women who amaze you with their incredible voices; or the researcher who is trying to understand how a small ant living on an acacia tree might influence how elephants move through that habitat. It just so happens that the summer months of July and August are ideal to catch the wildebeest and whale migrations.
Dates: July 22 – August 3, 2022
Panama: Snorkeling Marine Parks of the Pacific and Caribbean
Overview: Join us for this engaging exploration of the natural bounty found within Panama’s outstanding marine national parks, with visits to three important marine protected areas—Coiba Island and the Gulf of Chiriquí in the Pacific, and Isla Bastimentos (Bocas del Toro area) in the Caribbean. There will be plenty of opportunities for snorkeling and wildlife observation, as well as a visit to the famous Panama Canal.
What makes this a great trip for families? If you’re the type of family that likes to look for critters on land and in the sea, explore historic places, and learn about conservation issues, like why marine protected areas are so important, then this could be the trip for you. Escape with your family to the reefs and rainforest islands of Panama for this well-rounded guided adventure.
Dates: Aug 13-21, 2022
Borneo: Rainforest and Reef Wilderness Adventure
Overview: Join us on an unforgettable adventure to explore the outstanding rainforest and river wilderness of Malaysian Borneo. Its forests harbor exceptionally high levels of species diversity and endemism, including many rare and unique bird, cat, and primate species. Include our extension to snorkel the world-class coral reefs at Sipadan, part of the Coral Triangle and famous for large pelagics and abundant sea turtles.
What makes this a great trip for families? Though it requires a bit more travel than most destinations, if you are ready to wow the family and create a memory that will live on through decades of holiday gatherings, then this may be the trip for you. The parks of Borneo are home to animals you will see nowhere else: orangutans, proboscis monkeys, gibbons, and prehistoric-looking hornbills, whose loud wing flaps can be heard before the bird is even seen. If you have a budding ecologist, a daughter who loves insects and carnivorous plants, or a family of filmmakers, Borneo will never disappoint. And if you add our extension to the offshore island of Sipadan, you can also include some of the world’s most spectacular coral reefs into the mix. June, July, and August are some of the best (and driest) months to visit Borneo.
Dates: Custom dates – contact us
You can expect every one of our family-friendly trips to be:
- Educational: Programs are designed with educational opportunities in mind and led by experienced teachers and naturalists.
- Fun: A variety of activities will keep you and your family engaged throughout the trip, seeing and doing something new each day.
- Meaningful: Your trip directly supports our research and conservation programs and the work of our partners in the places we visit.
- Seamless: We take care of the logistics so that you and your family can immerse yourselves in the experience.
- Customizable: Every family is different, and each of these trips can be customized to suit the needs and abilities of your family.
Don’t see dates that work? Looking for a destination not listed? Reach out to our travel team (expeditions@oceanicsociety.org) for questions or more information.
