Hotel Caravelle is inviting travellers to combine their holiday with education with the Island Ecologist Package; families have the choice to participate in an underwater exploration or a safari tour to earn an Island Ecologist certificate. The package, valid now through December 14, 2005, is based on double occupancy and starts at US$649. The rate includes accommodations for a three-night stay, breakfast daily and choice of land or sea tour. Children under 12 stay free in the room (tour and breakfast are additional).

The Island Ecologist Package offers two educational options; safari or sea. The safari is lead by Sweeny Toussaint of St. Croix Safari Tours and includes visits to Whim Greathouse (a 16th century Danish plantation), St. George Botanical Gardens, the site where Christopher Columbus landed, a tropical rainforest, the islands two historic towns, and the local rum factory. “Students” learn about St. Croix’s history, cultural traditions, politics, botany, and more. The safari begins at 10 am in the morning and ends in the late afternoon.

The sea expedition includes a sailing trip to Buck Island and a snorkeling excursion through one of only three underwater national parks in the USA. The 19,000 acre Buck Island Reef National Monument includes 176 acres of land, which has an overland nature trail and white coral sand beaches, is a haven for endangered brown pelicans and a nesting area for three species of sea turtles, and 4,554 acres of water and coral reef system.

Two-thirds of the island is surrounded by a coral barrier reef, which includes a Marine Garden area.

The sea excursion includes a visit to Buck Island’s Turtle Beach, voted one of the world’s most beautiful beaches by National Geographic, a snorkeling trip though the island famous underwater trail, and lunch. “class” starts at 9 am when the boat leaves the dock in front of Hotel Caravelle. Upon completion of either tour, an Island Ecologist certificate is issued to participants. Ê
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