Educational Programs at the Institute: CEP

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the optimum group size?

20 or less is an excellent size for a single group. The maximum number of people we can accommodate on a single tour is 40, but if the personnel are available we prefer to split them into two groups with their own tour guides.

Are children allowed on tours?

The research focus of the tours and the uneven surfaces of the paths make the tours unsuitable for very young children. We prefer to limit tours to 5th graders and above.

How long do tours last?

Tours last about 2 hours — a little less if the students are young and find lengthy scientific explanations to be boring. With children it often works best if there is a lunch break in the middle, and then the tour can run 2 or 3 hours.

What are the lunch options on the island?

There is a very nice facility available called the Beach House, which has a beautiful view, bathrooms, and a kitchen. Food is not available for purchase on the island, so you need to bring your own. The Beach House can be reserved for your group (no charge). If you wish, your tour guide can bring pictures and charts to pass out and discuss during lunch, so the lunch break can be quite educational.

What is the best time to start our tour?

This depends mostly on your group’s logistics. As a suggestion, from 10 am to 1 pm is excellent if you bring your lunch, otherwise from 9 to 11 am — or 10 am to 12 pm — works well. School tours with tide pool activities might do well to check the tide calendar when planning. Weekday starting times can be flexible within normal working hours, but weekend shuttles run only on the hour and must be arranged well ahead of time.

How do we get from the shore to the island?

With a group of 20 or less we can use the free shuttle for the short ride from the Lilipuna Pier to the Island Lighthouse. For larger groups (max of 40) we have the Honu Kai, which leaves from the Lilipuna Pier, travels around Coconut Island, and docks in one of the lagoons. Advance scheduling is required for the Honu Kai, and there is a service charge to cover our expenses. (See the “Tour Costs” page for details on the boat services offered and related charges.)

What does a tour cost?

The Community Education Program is run entirely by volunteers who enjoy sharing the secrets of Coconut Island with interested people. We appreciat donations, and a suggested amount of $1 per visitor helps support the cost of maintaining and improving our displays. Also check the “Tour Costs” page for an explanation of costs associated with use of the boats, and important instructions for addressing checks to cover donations or boat charges.

Do we need special equipment?

For a general tour all people need in addition to raingear are good walking shoes. If you are leading a group of children on a field trip, which can include poking around the shoreline, they may need to bring beach shoes and a small towel. Bathing suits are not needed, since we try to discourage swimming or snorkeling off the island, to avoid disturbing the research projects underway on the island’s fringing reef.

Where can we park?

Lack of parking space at the Lilipuna Pier is a major problem. We strongly recommend that you use a bus or van which can drop you off and return to pick you up. Shuttling drivers from nearby on-street parking is a good strategy. Parking is a little easier on weekends. See the “Directions and Parking” page for details.

 

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