Visit our Florida Keys facilities

Discover the cutting-edge coral reef science and restoration led by Mote Marine Laboratory scientists at our campuses throughout the Florida Keys. Learn more about public and private tours, interactive hands-on experiences, and group educational programs below.

Public Tours

We conduct public tours at each of Mote’s three campuses in the Keys. Each public tour is limited to 12 participants, so please reserve your complimentary ticket in advance to ensure your spot. While public tours are free, donations are encouraged and appreciated, as Mote is a nonprofit dedicated to the ocean's future. 

Reserve Your Complimentary Ticket

Florida Keys campuses offering public tours

Mote's Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration (IC2R3)

Mote's main campus in the Florida Keys, located on Summerland Key

Tours conducted weekly on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. 

IC2R3 is located at 24244 Overseas Highway, in Summerland Key, FL 33042.

Mote's Islamorada Coral Nursery 

Tours conducted weekly on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. 

The Islamorada Coral Nursery is located on the property of Bud n' Mary's Marina, 79891 Overseas Highway (US Hwy 1) in Islamorada, Florida 33036. Find our nursery on the waterfront at the northeast corner of the Bud n’ Mary’s property.  

Mote's Key Largo Coral Nursery 

Tours conducted weekly on Mondays at 3 p.m., Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. 

The Key Largo Coral Nursery is located on the property of Reefhouse Resort & Marina, 103800 Overseas Highway (US Hwy 1) in Key Largo, Florida 33037. Find our nursery behind the Reefhouse Resort conference center.  

For questions or more information, please contact: keysinfo@mote.org or (305) 745-2729.

Private Tours

Private tours are available upon request. Please fill out the form below to receive more information about scheduling, availability and pricing.  Two weeks notice is requested for scheduling.

Request a private group tour in Summerland

Request a private group tour in Islamorada

Request a private group tour in Key Largo

For questions or more information, please contact: keysinfo@mote.org or (305) 745-2729.

Hands-On Experiences

Slice of Paradise Coral Microfragmentation

Create living pieces of paradise by learning from the world’s leading scientists from Mote Marine Laboratory. Using a Mote pioneered technique called microfragmentation and reskinning, guests will learn how to cut coral on land, using a small jewelry diamond-bladed saw, creating small fragments. Guests will mount fragments on ceramic pedestals that will be returned to grow in the land-based nursery until the proper size to outplant.

During this experience, guests will learn about endangered species of coral that are important to Florida’s Coral Reef, and microfragment coral that will eventually be planted on nearby reefs as soon as they grow to the perfect size within the on-site coral nursery. Guests will also get an up-close view and tour of Mote’s land-based satellite nursery and learn about various research happening by Mote scientists to ensure genetic diversity and resiliency-focused strategies that make up Mote’s science-based, innovative and unique restoration approach for Florida’s Coral Reef.

PLEASE NOTE: This program takes place in the FLORIDA KEYS at the following locations: 

  • Mote's Key Largo Coral Nursery, located on the property of Reefhouse Resort & Marina, 103800 Overseas Highway. Programs scheduled on Thursdays at 3 p.m.
     
  • Mote's Islamorada Coral Nursery, located on the property of Bud N’ Mary’s Marina, 79851 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036. Programs scheduled on select Wednesdays at 3 p.m.

Fee: $125 per person
Upcoming Dates & Times: Click Register buttons for available details  or contact keyseducation@mote.org to request a date/time not currently listed.
Age Requirements: Minimum age to participate is 10 years old at time of registration. All participants ages 10-17 MUST be accompanied by a paid adult participant. 

This program is one-hour long and pre-registration is required. Registration closes two days prior to the tour date. We require a minimum of 2 guests to operate this program. If we do not meet our registration requirements, we will cancel the program and issue a refund. Please review our program policies prior to registering. 

REGISTER FOR SLICE OF PARADISE IN KEY LARGO

REGISTER FOR SLICE OF PARADISE IN ISLAMORADA

Questions about Slice of Paradise? Contact us. 

Education Programs

We believe conservation begins with education, and the sooner we can educate each other the better off our oceans and our lives will be. With our education programs, you can dive in and get your feet wet and your hearts inspired. We offer programs for all ages from guppies to adults.  Education programs are offered at each of Mote’s Florida Keys campuses.  To learn more, visit mote.org/keyseducation.