Where Science Meets Adventure
At Rising Tide Explorers, we’re not just leading tours, we’re cultivating the next generation of environmental stewards, scientists, leaders, and educators in both local and professional communities around the country. Our mission is rooted in science, exploration, and education through experiential learning, and our team is built of passionate, driven individuals working to ignite that same spark in others.
Rising Tide Explorers is a science-based ecotourism and environmental education company led by a network of science professionals. Our tours are built on credible, engaging science and a deep respect for the ecosystems we explore. We’re committed to delivering unforgettable experiences that inspire curiosity, stewardship, and a lifelong love for the natural world. After years of experience working in science and science communication, the words of Sir David Attenborough ring ever more true:
“No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced.”
Providing the unique opportunity to spend time in one of the most unique natural areas on the planet with real science professionals, students, and environmental educators is an experience unlike any other. We all have had experiences in our lives that have led to our eventual careers in the sciences, and now we work tirelessly to provide those experiences to inspire others to establish a relationship with these irreplaceable wild places. Our mission based approach and unique qualifications have led to our partnership with the Friends of Rookery Bay, providing us with a direct connection to the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Giving back to the places that we love is important to us, and through this partnership we have been able to generate over $500K to directly support education, research, stewardship, internships, staff positions, and more at the Reserve through the Friends of Rookery Bay.
The Rising Tide Difference
A Parachute for Science Professionals
While Rising Tide Explorers serves as an incubator and launch pad for environmental science students and professionals, we also like to think of ourselves as a parachute. Finding the right career path can be a process, and many of us find ourselves in periods of uncertainty, inconsistency, and patchwork opportunities as we navigate the journey. We understand the challenges, because we’ve been through it. Applying for jobs, writing a thesis, navigating internships and all the other things that come with pursuing a career in the sciences is a lot to manage, and we all still need to pay the bills.
Rising Tide Explorers was founded to serve as a resource for science professionals and students, offering income opportunities, career-focused training, flexible schedules, and direct networking that support their journey, and our fellow nerds along the way.
Join Us and Make an Impact
Working with Rising Tide isn’t just a job it’s a launchpad for careers in:
- Environmental Education
- Ecotourism
- Marine & Environmental Sciences
- Public Speaking & Interpretation
- Leadership & Team Building
- Hospitality & Customer Service
We provide our team with training and mentorship from a diverse group of NERDS looking to make a real difference. RTE has a supportive, team-driven culture that promotes opportunities to grow within the company or prepare for future professions, regardless of your calling.
What You'll Gain
- Field experience in marine and environmental science
- In depth training in public speaking & interpretation skills
- Team leadership and group management
- Customer service and hospitality expertise
- Specialty skills for on-the-water safety and navigation
- An amazing network of totally awesome people to nerd out with
- Connections with professionals throughout the environmental science and education communities of Southwest Florida and around the country
At Rising Tide Explorers, our tours are built on credible, engaging science, and we expect our guides to bring that same commitment to accuracy, education, and curiosity. Because of this, we seek applicants with academic or professional experience in marine biology, ecology, science education, biology, natural resources, or related disciplines. Experience in science communication, outdoor/environmental education, or interpretation in a professional or academic setting also applies.
Do You Have the Drive to Join Our Team?
Additional Requirements
- Enthusiastic about science, nature, and outdoor education
- Comfortable on the water and working outdoors
- Strong communicators with a passion for learning and teaching
- Team players who thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments
- A strong desire to inspire the people and make a difference
Preferred
- First Aid/CPR or wilderness medicine certifications
- Kayaking / boating experience
- Experience leading groups, especially in outdoor or educational environments
Whether you’re a recent graduate, a current student, or experienced in a professional manner, if you’re passionate about SWFL and want to share it with others in a fun, outdoor setting, then we need to hear from you. Apply today and build real-world skills that matter on and off the water, in your future and quite possibly the future of those you inspire along the way. Not sure you Qualify? REACH OUT to us! We are happy to talk with you about opportunities and how your background may align.
RTE for LIFE!
Since it’s conception, Rising Tide Explorers has been a stepping stone to impactful careers in science, education, and beyond. Many of our former guides and captains have taken the skills, knowledge, and passion they developed here into exciting roles across the country (and the world!). These super heroes now represent Rising Tide Explorers across various organizations through the state and the country covering local, state, federal, non-profit, and private entities, opening up our team to a diverse network of professionals to help in accomplishing their career goals.
Our alumni have gone on to join:
- NOAA
- NERRS
- FWC
- Army Corp of Engineers
- CREW Trust
- USGS
- National & State Parks Services
- University Research Programs
- Environmental Consulting (Entrepreneurship!)
” To see people openly embracing the estuary and pushing themselves beyond their previous comfort limit, is why I loved working with the passionate folks at RTE.”
“Being surrounded by other like minded environmental professionals allowed for networking and constant learning about different fields of conservation and education.”
“Aside from being the most fun job possible kayaking in the estuary with dolphins and sea stars and osprey, working at RTE was such a great opportunity for me to get experience in environmental education which is an essential skill for anyone working in the environmental field these days.”
“RTE taught me what it means to really bring science to the people, and how storytelling inspires people to connect with the environment and ultimately protect it. “
