Do’s and Don’ts of Traveling: Florida Keys Addition

When traveling a thousand miles away to a tropical destination, it is helpful to remember some important tips about packing! We have a busy week ahead of us filled with fun adventures and hands-on learning, so the last thing I’d want to stress about is wondering if I brought everything necessary for this trip. So here is a handy list of some do’s and don’ts about traveling to the Florida Keys!

DO bring tons of sunscreen!

DON’T forget some aloe!

The Florida Keys are located close to the equator where sun rays are strongest due to the tilt of the Earth.  Because it is so strong, there is certainly a good chance you could be sunburning more easily down here.  So, if you're anything like me with my porcelain skin, red hair, and blue eyes, be sure to pack bottles, YES BOTTLES, of both sunscreen and aloe!  We want to be able to study lobster species and eat fresh lobster pain and blister free, not end up looking like one!

DO pack a couple bathing suits!

DON’T show off in a speedo...

Please, for the sake of my already terrible vision, please do not wear these.

The only D I want to see!

 Remember, we are traveling with our classmates and professor.  If you feel like you have to sneak out of the house without your mom seeing the teeny-weeny, itsy-bitsy, yellow polka-dot bikini you think you look so hot in, you probably shouldn't bring that along.  Nobody, including the fish, want to see more than they want to.  Also, keep in mind that we will be diving and snorkeling several times throughout this trip focusing on identifying the many species we learned about.  Yes, one of those species of fish may be inappropriately named "slippery dick", but trust me, that is the only D we want to see.

DO bring only a few shorts and tank tops!
DON'T pack your whole closet, plus those really cute dresses you swear you didn't steal from your sister, five pairs of heels to go with those dresses, and that special necklace your great grandmother handed down to you.

I can't walk in normal shoes without being prone to tripping and falling, so don't even think about wearing heels.

Ahh yes, gym clothes!  I can live in you forever!

 Because Florida is located in the Intertropical Convergence Zone, it gets REALLY hot and humid, especially in the summer months. On average in June, the temperature ranges between 80 and 90 degrees with about five inches of rainfall monthly.  So needless to say, this is not a fashion show.  We will be sweating and gross 24/7 partaking in some adventurous activities, like kayaking through the Everglades and tagging sharks.  So unless you're okay with your sister being eternally angry with you for ruining her favorite dress you did in fact steal, or losing that precious heirloom your grandmother gave you and would have a heart attack if she found out you ever lost it, then I would not get too creative with the outfits you plan on wearing.  Plus, if you don't like wasting precious money on a slightly bigger bag to fit unnecessary amounts of clothing that the airline will charge you for, it would be smart to pack the least, and simplest of clothing possible into a backpack.

For additional help with packing, you can visit this link to see a whole list:
https://blackboard.stockton.edu/webapps/blackboard/execute/content/file?cmd=view&content_id=_1406190_1&course_id=_62259_1
And to learn more about the climate in Florida, visit this website:
https://www.weather.gov/key/climate