FLORIDA KEYS — “Island Hopping: Florida Keys," a 30-minute television special that explores the island chain’s unique natural environment and eco-tourism opportunities, is to debut on the Discovery Channel Sunday, Dec. 27, at 8 a.m. ET/PT, 7 a.m. CT and 6 a.m. MT.
Hosted by Christina Wilson, a Florida Keys resident and travel adventurer, the program takes viewers on a journey through the 125-mile island chain as Wilson experiences water-based activities in the protected Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
“Hopping” along the Overseas Highway from Key Largo to Key West, she meets local guides who share their perspective on the region’s allure and philosophy of environmental responsibility.
The program strives to increase visitor awareness of the Keys’ vast natural world and open-air adventures, while commentary from the featured residents illustrates their dedication to the island chain’s environment and close-to-nature lifestyle.
Among adventures Wilson undertake are an eco-tour of the remote Lower Keys backcountry waters with Captain Rob Oliverio, tarpon fishing with Marathon’s Captain Jeff Malone, discovering Islamorada’s bird life and diving for lobster with Captain Samantha Zeher, learning about invasive (and delicious) lionfish with John Mirabella of Marathon’s Castaway Waterfront Restaurant, experiencing a “flamingle” encounter at the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, becoming dive certified with Captain’s Corner Dive Center and assisting with a dolphin photo I.D. survey with Stephen McCulloch of Key Largo’s Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder.
The show was produced by Florida-based Crawford Entertainment.
Florida Keys visitor information: fla-keys.com or 1-800-FLA-KEYS
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