trip aukeman

2024 Kayak Fishing Fun - On Sale Now!

Gear up to catch fish on all kinds of waters aboard today's high-tech fishing kayaks. From simple "throw-and-go" paddle kayaks to advanced, electric-motor powered mini-battlewagons, there's a kayak for every angler and every budget.

Get The Magazine

Subscribe & Save.

Digital Now Included!

Trip Aukeman: Stop Fighting Over Rules on Gill Nets

Video That May Interest You

Get the newsletter join the list and never miss a thing., recommended articles.

Top Four Easy Rigs for Better Pier Fishing: Tackle, Bait, Lures & Variations

Dreambuild: Old Town ePDL Gets Rigged to the Hilt

Florida Sportsman

Catch Big Snook & Tarpon from the Beach, No Boat Necessary

Brenton Roberts

How to Read Water: Understanding the Flats, Surf, Muds, Bait & Bottom

Mike Conner

Do You Actually Need Fishing Boots? How to Shop for the Best Waterproof Boots

Shelby Busenbark & Jack Scott

Top 9 Types Of Fishing Hooks & How To Use Them

10 Best Places in Jacksonville for Flounder Fishing

10 Best Tips for How to Fish Without a Boat

Aaron Benzreihem

The Best & Worst Wind Directions for Saltwater Fishing

Hobie Mirage Lynx to the Next Level

10 Best Snook Lures Right Now: Catch More Snook with These Artificial Baits

Recent videos.

Discover simple, fisherman-friendly upgrades to Hobie's awesome, lightweight Mirage Lynx. It's a 47-pound, pedal-drive kayak anyone can enjoy, and with a few mods, it becomes a serious multi-species fishing machine. From deck mats to accessory mounts, hull protectors to powered anchors, Mike Carney takes the popular Lynx to the next level.

Hobie Mirage iTrek 9 Ultralight Packed with Features

Everything you need to know about the versatile, lightweight, go-anywhere inflatable kayak powered by Hobie's Mirage Drive GT pedal system. Veteran kayak fisherman Mike Carney demonstrates the iTrek 9 features and operation. Plus, he offers exclusive hints on customizing this unique craft, then takes us for a spin on a crisp autumn day.

Extend Your Range in the Salt Marsh

Florida Sportsman Editor Jeff Weakley shares expert tips on setting up kayaks, tackle and safety equipment for inshore saltwater success. Special focus on the benefits of the new e-bike capabilities of the Old Town Sportsman BigWater 132 ePDL+

Florida's Capital Fishing

A stunning, cypress-fringed reservoir in Florida's capital city of Tallahassee is the setting for a fun day of bass fishing with friends. Plus, it's a great place to become acquainted with the ePDL drive introduced by the innovative Old Town Sportsman division.

Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120 FULLY RIGGED Fishing Machine

This Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120 was built to offer every single possible amenity that any dedicated bass angler would appreciate. Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen built this kayak to exact spec to catch bass on big reservoirs or small, nearly inaccessible lakes—and fish professional-level kayak tournaments. This video is the front-to-back walk-through about how everything was installed and why—hopefully to inspire you to build your dream kayak.

Mounting Forward-Facing Sonar on A Kayak: Mounts, Scanning Applications and More!

Thomas Allen shares some insight to mounting and applying forward-facing sonar to kayak fishing. He talks about a couple of cool and innovative mounting devices that make scanning simple, cable management and fishing application. This video offers solutions and concepts to take a sweet fishing rig to the limits with modern technology. Forward-facing sonar certainly belongs on a cutting-edge fishing kayak.

On The Water with Old Town: Bass Fishing at PRIVATE GEORGIA LAKE

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen spent the day fishing with the KFF crew and other friends at Southwind Plantation in Southwest Georgia—on a lake known for producing some real big bass. The lake is full of fish, and fun was had by the entire crew. In this video, Allen catches a few fish and shares some kayak fishing tips along the way that are worth considering the next time you intend to launch the kayak to go fishing.

DECKED-OUT Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132 Complete WALK-THROUGH

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen walks through his fully rigged-and-ready Old Town ePDL. This boat features Old Town's e-bike technology that offers the user pedal-assist and cruise control at five different speeds—calibrated for normal trolling applications. But that's not enough, Allen added a list of power and cool accessories to push this kayak to the limit. Here are all the details.

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in building out Allen's Old Town ePDL. The duo spent a winter weekend together scheming up a plan to rig an already cutting-edge Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132 by installing the kind of accessories a kayak bass tournament junky would truly appreciate.

The high-capacity, shallow-draft, big-water-capable fishing kayak customizable any way you want it.

Kayak Hulls

Learn about some key differences in kayak hull shapes, how keel, rocker, flare and chines affect performance under paddle, pedal or powered propulsion.

Kayaks and Saltwater Flats

Kaku Kayaks owner/designer Kevin Hawkins in Tarpon Springs, FL, shares personal reflections on the synchronous, symbiotic evolution of fishing kayaks and shallow-water coastal fishing.

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift    |   Subscriber Services

Preview This Month's Issue

Buy Digital Single Issues

Don't miss an issue. Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Other magazines.

Guns & Ammo

North American Whitetail

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

2023 Backcountry Hunter Fall

2023 Fly Fisherman Destinations

2023 Crossbow Revolution #2

2023 Tree Saddle Hunter

2023 Hunting Gear Guide

See All Special Interest Magazines

More You May Be Interested In

Get the top Florida Sportsman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Get Digital Access.

All Florida Sportsman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year of Guns & Ammo & Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Trip Aukeman: Stop fighting over rules on gill nets

On May 15, the First District Court of Appeals heard arguments on a local judge’s ruling that overturns Florida’s 20-year-old constitutional amendment limiting marine net fishing. The three-judge panel questioned lawyers representing the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Wakulla Fisherman’s Association. The court’s ruling will likely come in July or August.

The truth is that commercial gill net fishermen want to use these entangling nets to take the large, egg-laden breeder mullet. The damage done by this practice represents a double whammy to the mullet population and ultimately to many other species.

Mullet is a staple food fish for other species. Snook, redfish, trout, tarpon and snapper feed on “baby” mullet. When netters demolish the breeder population, the ability to reproduce is decimated and there are fewer fish to grow up and breed.

In the case of nets with a 2-inch mesh size, larger fish cannot get their heads through the mesh and do not become entangled, allowing many more of this critical breeding population to survive. The intent the FWC rule defining gill nets by limiting the mesh size was to allow for a commercially feasible net that would not gill fish while allowing net fishermen to take enough fish to maintain their livelihoods.

In November 1994, 72 percent of Floridians who went to the polls voted for the constitutional amendment limiting marine net fishing. The amendment includes both a prohibition on the use of gill and entangling nets in all state waters and a size limit on other nets. Although the restrictions have been in place for nearly 20 years, there are still small factions within the commercial fishing industry that refuse to accept the legal reality that the constitutional prohibition on gill nets means no gill nets.

Numerous administrative challenges and lawsuits have been filed over the last 20 years in an effort to challenge these regulations and allow the use of gill nets, which are contrary to the amendment. Court decisions have upheld the implementing rules that established a 2-inch stretched mesh size as the “bright line distinction” between a legal seine net and an illegal gill net. The size was established based on the historic mesh sizes before the gill net ban. The courts ruled that the 2-inch maximum size for seine nets was “historically based, rational and practical.”

The Coastal Conservation Association Florida will continue to be an outspoken advocate and protector of the constitutional amendment that has salvaged Florida’s marine fisheries from overzealous gill netting and has helped the recreational fishery become a multibillion-dollar economic impact to Florida’s economy. CCA will help protect the mature breeder fish and their ability to spawn and keep mullet populations thriving and ensure that redfish, snook, sea trout, grouper and other shallow-water predators have forage fish to consume throughout their lifecycle.

Trip Aukeman is director of advocacy for the Coastal Conservation Association Florida (ccaflorida.org). Contract him at [email protected].

Florida Announces 2022 Red Snapper Season

State Managers Work to Provide More Access to Popular Game Fish

Destin, Fla. – April 21, 2022 – Today, an announcement that offshore anglers in Florida have been waiting for arrived today when Gov. Ron DeSantis revealed the 2022 recreational red snapper season. Working through the State Reef Fish Survey, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission is planning to offer two seasons for the popular game fish in 2022 – a summer season running June 17 to July 31 with 12 additional days of fishing this fall, including October 8-9, October 15-16, October 22-23, November 11-13 and November 25-27.

“We would like to thank Gov. DeSantis and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for their efforts to create a meaningful red snapper season for the state’s anglers. Red snapper is one of the most popular species in the Gulf for recreational fishermen and it is a key component of the huge economic engine that recreational angling provides for Florida.”

“We would like to thank Gov. DeSantis and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for their efforts to create a meaningful red snapper season for the state’s anglers,” Brian Gorski, executive director of the Florida Chapter of Coastal Conservation Association (CCA Florida) said. “Red snapper is one of the most popular species in the Gulf for recreational fishermen and it is a key component of the huge economic engine that recreational angling provides for Florida.” Just a few years ago, seasons for red snapper were down to a mere three days as confusion and controversy over federal management of the species greatly reduced access to this public resource. In 2019, the Gulf states successfully petitioned to take over management of the private boat angling sector and developed their own individual data collection systems to capture more timely and accurate data to measure their catch. Though each state must still manage to a quota bestowed on it by federal managers, the development of data collection systems like Florida’s State Reef Fish Survey have allowed every Gulf state to provide longer and more flexible seasons for anglers who fish for snapper out of their own boats.

“State management of red snapper has been a game-changer for Florida anglers,” said Trip Aukeman, advocacy director for CCA Florida. “Federal management was never designed to manage recreational angling and so the data and regulations coming out of that system were often difficult to comprehend. We greatly appreciate the State of Florida recognizing the importance of recreational angling and stepping up to create a better management system. We would not have the season we have today without Gov DeSantis and the FWC in our corner.”

While the Gulf states have shown they are highly capable of managing the private recreational sector with a local, more hands-on approach, controversy still swirls around red snapper. The federal management system still insists on the states calibrating their new and improved data back to a lengthy history of decidedly suspect federal recreational data. The results of that calibration process are an obstacle to building on the success of state management of red snapper.

“As long as the federal management system insists on trying to match the new and improved data that the states are collecting back to what is essentially a broken system, there are going to be problems,” said Aukeman. “The more control the states have over the fisheries that exist off their shores, the better the management of those fisheries will be. The challenge is that the federal fisheries management system just never likes to admit it is wrong.”

Author Kevin Hickson

Leave a reply cancel reply.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

© 2024 Coastal Conservation Association. All rights reserved. 6919 Portwest, Suite 100 Houston, Texas 77024 Transparency in Coverage

• Catch Cook Eat
• Join / Renew
• Find Your Chapter
• Building Conservation Trust
• Science of Conservation
• Eyes of Conservation
• Press Releases
• Protecting Your Freedom to Fish
• Vessel Speed Restriction Rules
• TIDE Magazine
• Newsletters
• Rising TIDE
• STAR Tournament

FWC: Anglers Now Required to Have a Descending Device or Venting Tool Ready to Help Conserve Reef Fish

Florida - Monday April 3, 2023: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reminds angels fishing from a vessel targeting reef fish that they are now required to have on board a descending device or venting tool that is rigged and ready for use to help conserve reef fish in state waters. The new requirement took effect Saturday April 1. This also requires the use a descending device or venting tool if a fish is exhibiting signs of barotrauma prior to release.

The FWC approved this rule to increase the survival of released reef fish, a top priority management issue in both the Gulf and south Atlantic. As reef fish are reeled up from depth, they can suffer pressure-related injuries known as barotrauma . These injuries include the stomach protruding out of the mouth, bulging eyes, bloated belly, distended intestines and inability to swim down independently. If not treated correctly, barotrauma can be lethal to fish. However, tools such as descending devices or venting tools can help released fish recover from the effects of barotrauma.

“Florida’s anglers have always played an important role in the health of our fisheries and the proper use of barotrauma mitigation tools is just one way anglers continue helping to conserve Florida’s fisheries for current and future generations,” said Jessica McCawley, Director of FWC’s Division of Marine Fisheries Management. “This new rule not only improves survival of released reef fish but also provides anglers the flexibility of choosing the best tool that fits their situation on the water.”

“Giving reef fish a better chance at survival by properly using a descending device or venting tool to return them to the deep is an easy and simple step for anglers to take that will pay dividends for conservation and our economy,” said Gary Jennings, Director of Keep Florida Fishing for the American Sportfishing Association. “We are grateful to our partners at FWC who are taking this step to act quickly and conserve Florida’s reef fish.”

“Barotrauma mitigation tools like descending devices and venting tools are important catch-and-release tools that recreational anglers, as the original conservationists, widely embrace,” said Trip Aukeman, Director of Advocacy of Coastal Conservation Association Florida. “We support this important regulation and the potential it has to more efficiently conserve recreational fisheries going forward.”

Descending devices are weighted devices capable of releasing fish at a depth that is sufficient to recompress expanded gas and help fish recover from the effects of barotrauma. Venting tools are sharp, hollow instruments that allow expanded gas to escape from an over-expanded swim bladder. Learn about barotrauma at MyFWC.com/Barotrauma. Find more information about reef fish gear requirements at: MyFWC.com/ReefFishGear.

Watch CBS News

Florida May Lift Ban On Catching And Killing Goliath Grouper

May 10, 2021 / 1:29 PM EDT / CBS Miami

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami/AP) -- A three-decades old ban on the catching and killing of goliath grouper in Florida may soon be lifted.

Wildlife officials are proposing a limited harvest of the giant coastal fish. They say the fish's numbers have rebounded sufficiently since it was almost driven to extinction by overfishing and environmental damage.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will consider on Wednesday a staff proposal to allow 100 goliaths to be caught and kept annually, for four years.

Supported by fishing groups, the proposal calls for a lottery to issue $300-per-week licenses that allow each recipient to catch and kill one goliath, with proceeds funding research of the species.

The goliath almost died off in the 1980s from overfishing and pollution and is not allowed to be caught in any other state or federal waters.

The fish is a favorite of underwater photographers for its docile demeanor and mammoth size — adults typically weigh 400 pounds, but can exceed 800. While the species' population is unknown, state officials believe it has grown enough to allow the limited catch.

"Goliath is a recovering stock, becoming more abundant in parts of Florida, especially on artificial reefs," the commission staff wrote in its recommendation.

That's a contention disputed by those who oppose lifting the fishing ban. They point to major die-offs over the past decade from cold weather and other causes.

"The (wildlife commission) claims the population is growing, but that is just not possible," said Christopher Koenig, who along with his wife, Felicia Coleman, has studied goliaths for almost 30 years. Koenig and Coleman are both retired marine biologists with Florida State University.

Coleman also points out that the goliath contains high levels of the neurotoxin methylmercury, making it dangerous to eat, particularly for children and pregnant women.

"Why would you open? You are endangering people," she said.

The goliath once ranged over a wide swath of ocean territory, from the Carolinas to the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean off Brazil, but its numbers dropped sharply starting in the 1960s. By 1990, when Florida banned its catch, it was almost gone.

First, it was overfished — the goliath is easy to catch, living in known locations and spawning at specific spots. Florida's proposal would prohibit catching the fish at spawning sites and during spawning season, which lasts from July to September.

Also, the goliath's first six years are spent hiding among mangroves, trees that grow in shallow coastal waters. Many mangroves have been lost to development and pollution, limiting where juveniles can grow.

Today, the goliath is found mainly off South Florida. Adults live in reefs and shipwrecks, digging holes that provide hiding spaces for other fish.

A limited harvest "would provide a unique recreational fishing opportunity in Florida," the wildlife commission staff wrote. In 2018, the commission, which then had five of its current members, pushed aside a similar proposal.

The proposal limits the size of goliaths that could be killed to a range of 4 to 6.5 feet and 70 to 200 pounds  — that's a young adult of 7 to 10 years. Outside that range they would be released, just like all goliaths caught now are supposed to be, though poaching is a problem. Goliaths have a lifespan of 35 years or more.

Coastal Conservation Association Florida, a recreational fishing group, believes the goliath's numbers can handle the limited catch, said Trip Aukeman, its advocacy director.

"The fishery looks healthy and there should be some kind of harvest open to recreational fishermen," Aukeman said. A limited catch would provide scientists with samples to ascertain the species' health, he said.

Some fishermen also argue a large goliath population depletes snappers and other game fish, but Koenig and Coleman disagree, saying goliaths primarily eat crabs and less-prized fish.

Aukeman agrees methylmercury is an issue, saying his group advocates lowering the minimum and maximum size at which the goliath can be kept. Those younger fish would be less likely to be toxic and could be eaten.

"I don't believe they should be caught just to get a picture — they need to be used," Aukeman said. But Koenig and Coleman say the goliath's future is too precarious to allow any harvest. They argue that the fish's numbers remain below historic levels and appear to be plateauing or decreasing, and that it is susceptible to mass die-offs. One danger is that juveniles under 6 years are vulnerable to frigid weather — Koenig and Coleman say a prolonged cold snap that hit South Florida in 2010 killed 95% of that age group.

All ages are susceptible to red tide, a toxic algae bloom that spreads over massive areas. Outbreaks occur naturally but are also spurred by fertilizer runoff and sewage.

Harvest opponents say instead of catching goliaths, Florida should use the fish to lure scuba divers to the state. A 2016 University of Miami survey of out-of-state divers showed they would pay more than $300 for an outing to a goliath congregation site, not including what they would spend for hotels, restaurants and other area establishments.

Gerald Carroll, who owns a Palm Beach County dive center, said trips to see goliaths account for 25% of his revenue. They are popular with divers because they don't flee, and with guides because they stay at the same reefs and wrecks.

"It is very easy for us to arrange trips to go see them, and when we jump in the water, even if there are 10 or 15 divers, they don't get scared away," Carroll said.

(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Featured Local Savings

More from cbs news.

Schools out, summer road trip ahead. Here are the latest Florida gas prices

Make your home eco-friendly and keep your cool in heat of summer

Tips to prepare your A/C for the dog days of summer

Woman and her 4-year-old daughter dead after Florida Turnpike shooting in Hollywood: police

Florida weighs limited harvest of once-endangered goliath grouper

• Associated Press

FORT LAUDERDALE — Florida may lift its three-decade ban on catching and killing goliath grouper. Wildlife officials say the coastal fish’s numbers have recovered sufficiently from near-extinction to allow a limited harvest, but the proposal is strongly opposed by environmentalists who say it is still at risk.

On Wednesday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will consider a staff proposal to allow 100 goliaths to be caught and kept annually during a four-year period. Supported by fishing groups, the proposal calls for a lottery to issue $300-per-week licenses that allow each recipient to catch and kill one goliath, with proceeds funding research of the species.

The goliath almost died off in the 1980s from overfishing and pollution and is not allowed to be caught in any other state or federal waters.

The fish is a favorite of underwater photographers for its docile demeanor and mammoth size — adults typically weigh 400 pounds but can exceed 800 pounds. While the species’ population is unknown, state officials believe it has grown enough to allow the limited catch.

“Goliath is a recovering stock, becoming more abundant in parts of Florida, especially on artificial reefs,” the commission staff wrote in its recommendation.

That’s a contention disputed by those who oppose lifting the fishing ban. They point to major die-offs over the past decade from cold weather and other causes.

“The (wildlife commission) claims the population is growing, but that is just not possible,” said Christopher Koenig, who along with his wife, Felicia Coleman, has studied goliaths for almost 30 years. Koenig and Coleman are both retired marine biologists with Florida State University.

Coleman also points out that the goliath contains high levels of the neurotoxin methylmercury, making it dangerous to eat, particularly for children and pregnant women.

“Why would you open? You are endangering people,” she said.

The goliath once ranged over a wide swath of ocean territory, from the Carolinas to the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean off Brazil, but its numbers dropped sharply starting in the 1960s. By 1990, when Florida banned its catch, it was almost gone.

First, it was overfished — the goliath is easy to catch, living in known locations and spawning at specific spots. Florida’s proposal would prohibit catching the fish at spawning sites and during spawning season, which lasts from July to September.

Also, the goliath’s first six years are spent hiding among mangroves, trees that grow in shallow coastal waters. Many mangroves have been lost to development and pollution, limiting where juveniles can grow.

Spend your days with Hayes

Subscribe to our free Stephinitely newsletter

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Today, the goliath is found mainly off South Florida. Adults live in reefs and shipwrecks, digging holes that provide hiding spaces for other fish.

A limited harvest “would provide a unique recreational fishing opportunity in Florida,” the wildlife commission staff wrote. In 2018, the commission, which then had five of its current members, pushed aside a similar proposal.

The proposal limits the size of goliaths that could be killed to a range of 4 to 6.5 feet and 70 to 200 pounds — that’s a young adult of 7 to 10 years. Outside that range they would be released, just like all goliaths caught now are supposed to be, though poaching is a problem. Goliaths have a lifespan of 35 years or more.

Coastal Conservation Association Florida, a recreational fishing group, believes the goliath’s numbers can handle the limited catch, said Trip Aukeman, its advocacy director.

“The fishery looks healthy and there should be some kind of harvest open to recreational fishermen,” Aukeman said. A limited catch would provide scientists with samples to ascertain the species’ health, he said.

Some fishermen also argue a large goliath population depletes snappers and other game fish, but Koenig and Coleman disagree, saying goliaths primarily eat crabs and less-prized fish.

Aukeman agrees methylmercury is an issue, saying his group advocates lowering the minimum and maximum size at which the goliath can be kept. Those younger fish would be less likely to be toxic and could be eaten.

“I don’t believe they should be caught just to get a picture — they need to be used,” Aukeman said.

But Koenig and Coleman say the goliath’s future is too precarious to allow any harvest.

They argue that the fish’s numbers remain below historic levels and appear to be plateauing or decreasing, and that it is susceptible to mass die-offs. One danger is that juveniles under 6 years are vulnerable to frigid weather — Koenig and Coleman say a prolonged cold snap that hit South Florida in 2010 killed 95 percent of that age group.

All ages are susceptible to red tide, a toxic algae bloom that spreads over massive areas. Outbreaks occur naturally but are also spurred by fertilizer runoff and sewage.

Harvest opponents say instead of catching goliaths, Florida should use the fish to lure scuba divers to the state. A 2016 University of Miami survey of out-of-state divers showed they would pay more than $300 for an outing to a goliath congregation site, not including what they would spend for hotels, restaurants and other area establishments.

Gerald Carroll, who owns a Palm Beach County dive center, said trips to see goliaths account for 25 percent of his revenue. They are popular with divers because they don’t flee, and with guides because they stay at the same reefs and wrecks.

“It is very easy for us to arrange trips to go see them, and when we jump in the water, even if there are 10 or 15 divers, they don’t get scared away,” Carroll said.

- Terry Spencer

MORE FOR YOU

• Advertisement

ONLY AVAILABLE FOR SUBSCRIBERS

The Tampa Bay Times e-Newspaper is a digital replica of the printed paper seven days a week that is available to read on desktop, mobile, and our app for subscribers only. To enjoy the e-Newspaper every day, please subscribe.

Florida weighs allowing limited harvest of goliath grouper

In this Monday, Nov. 5, 2018 photo, released by the Mote Marine Laboratory, a Goliath Grouper swims at Mote Aquarium in Sarasota, Fla. Florida may lift its three-decade ban on catching and killing goliath groupers. (Conor Goulding/Mote Marine Laboratory via AP)

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Florida may lift its three-decade ban on catching and killing goliath grouper. Wildlife officials say the coastal fish’s numbers have recovered sufficiently from near-extinction to allow a limited harvest, but the proposal is strongly opposed by environmentalists who say it is still at risk.

On Wednesday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will consider a staff proposal to allow 100 goliaths to be caught and kept annually during a four-year period. Supported by fishing groups, the proposal calls for a lottery to issue $300-per-week licenses that allow each recipient to catch and kill one goliath, with proceeds funding research of the species.

The goliath almost died off in the 1980s from overfishing and pollution and is not allowed to be caught in any other state or federal waters.

The fish is a favorite of underwater photographers for its docile demeanor and mammoth size — adults typically weigh 400 pounds (180 kilograms) but can exceed 800 (360 kilograms). While the species’ population is unknown, state officials believe it has grown enough to allow the limited catch.

“Goliath is a recovering stock, becoming more abundant in parts of Florida, especially on artificial reefs,” the commission staff wrote in its recommendation.

That’s a contention disputed by those who oppose lifting the fishing ban. They point to major die-offs over the past decade from cold weather and other causes.

“The (wildlife commission) claims the population is growing, but that is just not possible,” said Christopher Koenig, who along with his wife, Felicia Coleman, has studied goliaths for almost 30 years. Koenig and Coleman are both retired marine biologists with Florida State University.

Coleman also points out that the goliath contains high levels of the neurotoxin methylmercury, making it dangerous to eat, particularly for children and pregnant women.

“Why would you open? You are endangering people,” she said.

The goliath once ranged over a wide swath of ocean territory, from the Carolinas to the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean off Brazil, but its numbers dropped sharply starting in the 1960s. By 1990, when Florida banned its catch, it was almost gone.

First, it was overfished — the goliath is easy to catch, living in known locations and spawning at specific spots. Florida’s proposal would prohibit catching the fish at spawning sites and during spawning season, which lasts from July to September.

Also, the goliath’s first six years are spent hiding among mangroves, trees that grow in shallow coastal waters. Many mangroves have been lost to development and pollution, limiting where juveniles can grow.

Today, the goliath is found mainly off South Florida. Adults live in reefs and shipwrecks, digging holes that provide hiding spaces for other fish.

A limited harvest “would provide a unique recreational fishing opportunity in Florida,” the wildlife commission staff wrote. In 2018, the commission, which then had five of its current members, pushed aside a similar proposal.

The proposal limits the size of goliaths that could be killed to a range of 4 to 6.5 feet (1.2 to 2 meters) and 70 to 200 pounds (32 to 90 kilograms) — that’s a young adult of 7 to 10 years. Outside that range they would be released, just like all goliaths caught now are supposed to be, though poaching is a problem. Goliaths have a lifespan of 35 years or more.

Coastal Conservation Association Florida, a recreational fishing group, believes the goliath’s numbers can handle the limited catch, said Trip Aukeman, its advocacy director.

“The fishery looks healthy and there should be some kind of harvest open to recreational fishermen,” Aukeman said. A limited catch would provide scientists with samples to ascertain the species’ health, he said.

Some fishermen also argue a large goliath population depletes snappers and other game fish, but Koenig and Coleman disagree, saying goliaths primarily eat crabs and less-prized fish.

Aukeman agrees methylmercury is an issue, saying his group advocates lowering the minimum and maximum size at which the goliath can be kept. Those younger fish would be less likely to be toxic and could be eaten.

“I don’t believe they should be caught just to get a picture — they need to be used,” Aukeman said.

But Koenig and Coleman say the goliath’s future is too precarious to allow any harvest.

They argue that the fish’s numbers remain below historic levels and appear to be plateauing or decreasing, and that it is susceptible to mass die-offs. One danger is that juveniles under 6 years are vulnerable to frigid weather — Koenig and Coleman say a prolonged cold snap that hit South Florida in 2010 killed 95% of that age group.

All ages are susceptible to red tide, a toxic algae bloom that spreads over massive areas. Outbreaks occur naturally but are also spurred by fertilizer runoff and sewage.

Harvest opponents say instead of catching goliaths, Florida should use the fish to lure scuba divers to the state. A 2016 University of Miami survey of out-of-state divers showed they would pay more than $300 for an outing to a goliath congregation site, not including what they would spend for hotels, restaurants and other area establishments.

Gerald Carroll, who owns a Palm Beach County dive center, said trips to see goliaths account for 25% of his revenue. They are popular with divers because they don’t flee, and with guides because they stay at the same reefs and wrecks.

“It is very easy for us to arrange trips to go see them, and when we jump in the water, even if there are 10 or 15 divers, they don’t get scared away,” Carroll said.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

• JetBlue plane bound for FLL makes emergency landing at Raleigh-Durham International Airport
• Young teens rescue driver from canal in North Lauderdale
• Rented house through Airbnb and lost homestead exemption
• Woman fatally struck on I-95 in Broward after falling from overpass
• Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: ‘I am completely heartsick and devastated’

Florida Newsroom

Cca florida and partners honor recreational angling steward with artificial reef deployment off carrabelle.

132 tons of high-quality reef modules were deployed to create the R.Z. “Sandy” Safley Reef

Orlando, Fla.  – August 24, 2022 – On Tuesday, Coastal Conservation Association Florida (CCA Florida), the state’s leading organization dedicated to marine fisheries conservation, education and advocacy, in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Building Conservation Trust (BCT) and the Organization for Artificial Reefs, deployed 30 reef modules to create the R.Z. “Sandy” Safley Reef, a tribute to Safley’s commitment to protecting Florida’s marine habitat and the rights of recreational anglers.

Six 15-foot-tall super structures weighing 18 tons each and 24, 8-foot-tall pyramids weighing 1 ton each were deployed in 50 feet of water by Walter Marine in a pre-permitted area known for attracting grouper, snapper, amberjack, king mackerel and cobia. These specific reef structures, will provide greater habit diversity while attracting vast species of fish and appealing more to recreational anglers and divers. The reef site is located offshore 15 miles south of Carrabelle at approximately 29°39.882 N. 84° 30.012 W.

“Today’s reef deployment is significant because we are not only celebrating a leader of our organization but also of the recreational angling community,” CCA Florida Executive Director Brian Gorski said. “Sandy has spent his life fighting for anglers and the waters they fish, and we cannot imagine honoring his environmental stewardship in a better way.”

For more than three decades, Safley has been a committed CCA Florida member serving the government relations committee and executive leadership team. Safley also led efforts to introduce legislation for CCA Florida’s “Conserve Florida’s Fisheries” license plate, which was signed into law into 2020.

In addition to his commitment to CCA Florida, Safley has also supported Everglades Restoration, the merger of Florida Department of Natural Resources with Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and legislation creating the current FWC and Tampa Bay Water. He was also a gubernatorial appointee to the Florida Marine Fisheries Commission, serving as Vice Chairman. Safley also served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1988 to 1998 representing parts of Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties.

“This reef deployment is a tribute to Sandy, who has supported recreational angling for nearly 40 years,” CCA Florida Director of Advocacy Trip Aukeman said. “From supporting the no commercial sale of redfish to filing and developing the bill for Florida’s saltwater license, Sandy has accomplished more to protect our fisheries than anyone I know, and this reef is a testament to his dedication that will be here for anglers to enjoy today and decades to come.”

The super structures are embedded with Safley’s passions and interests, including a golf club, aluminum redfish, aluminum tomahawk steak along with family memorabilia.  The reef was funded by a $25,000 donation from Building Conservation Trust (BCT), $25,000 from CCA Florida and $75,000 from FWC.

Artificial reefs initiate the development of natural, thriving habitats for various species of fish, invertebrates, and other marine life, such as smaller organisms that are vital food sources for other marine species, with the overall goal to create an ever-evolving ecosystem while enhancing fisheries and improving water quality.

Participate in CCA Florida's 2022 Boat Raffles. Three times a year, CCA Flori... Learn More

CCA Florida is dedicated to enhancing our state's marine resources - includin... Learn More

180-foot steel ship becomes the CCA Curtis Bostick Reef off St. Lucie Cou... Learn More

• Trip Planner
• Private Tours
• Small Group Tours
• Two Capitals
• City Breaks
• Trans-Siberian
• River Cruises
• Russia & Beyond

4-star edition of the private 9-day tour of the Russian capitals

5-star edition fo the private 9-day tour of Moscow & St. Petersburg

13-day in-depth discovery of Moscow, Kazan, and St. Petersburg

7-day tour designed to harness the best of the Venice of the North

11-day private discovery of Moscow, St. Petersburg, and the Golden Ring

Your Russia Getaway

Fill out the short trip survey to receive a personalized itinerary from a destination expert.

• Travel guide
• Before you go
• What to see

Russia Trip Planner

Learn about the dos and the don'ts for your amazing trip to Russia

• Our Partners
• Reservation Policies

Rated 9/10 on the Trustpilot review platform

• My itineraries
• Chat with us
• Trip survey

Groups & Agents

• For Suppliers

+1 (888) 744-6056

• North America : +1 (888) 744-6056
• Oceania and Australia : +61261888118

You are here

Moscow escorted tours.

• Tips & Highlights

Tour Reviews

• Other Destinations
• Related Posts

• Reset filters

Moscow Vacation Packages

Moscow vacations are always a great idea when it comes to traveling in Russia. Plan your trip to Moscow with a leading tour operator for Russia and enjoy the ease and pleasure that comes from it. You will stay at the centrally-located hotels, enjoy guided tours to Moscow's best sights with charming local guides, and, most importantly, feel relaxed and immersed in the Russian culture at all times. Wondering what the ideal way to see the best of Moscow is? Well, with a private tour to Moscow, of course! We will listen to your travel preferences and prepare a custom Moscow itinerary just for you. Let's start talking about your upcoming vacation to the gorgeous capital city of Russia.

Moscow Tour Highlights

Explore the capital of the largest country in the world, Russia.

Learn about the most visited sights in Moscow that are worth adding to your Russian itinerary. Create a fantastic tour to Moscow with a destination, choosing your wished activities.

• Moscow walking tour
• The Red Square
• St Basil's Cathedral
• Moscow Subway ride
• Tretyakov Gallery
• The Red Square in Moscow
• The Bolshoi Theater
• Cathedral of Christ the Savior
• Moscow's Kremlin exploration
• 'Seven Sisters' Skyscrapers

Tips for Moscow Travel

Take a look at the good-to-know tips before visiting Moscow and have a fantastic time in the capital.

What to pack

Make sure to check the weather prognosis before your trip and pack accordingly.

When to travel

Moscow is beautiful all around the year. Choose traveling time according to preferred activities.

We suggest to always have some cash with you. You will need Rubles (RUB) for Russia.

How much to tip

Tipping is not required in Russia, but it's considered good etiquette, tip 10%-15% of your bill.

The average summer temperature is approx 18°C (64°F), and winter is around -6°C (22°F).

Some of the most popular souvenirs from Moscow are caviar, Krasnaya Moska perfume.

Best Moscow Sights

One of the highest points in Moscow and one of its most breathtaking places - the Sparrow Hills.

See the 344-feet Cathedral of Christ the Savior - the tallest Orthodox church in the world.

Enjoy masterpieces of Russian opera and ballet in Moscow's legendary Bolshoi Theater.

Being the most recognizable symbol of Russia in the world, Red Square is an absolute must see when in Moscow. 

The famous GUM is a large department store in the Kitai-gorod part of Moscow facing Red Square.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is Moscow’s most famous artistic work of architecture set in the romantic Red Square.

History and luxury is revealed inside the Kremlin as the Armoury Chamber displays treasures like Faberge Eggs.

The symbol of Moscow and entire Russia, the Kremlin is often described as the 8th Wonder of the World.

Moscow Metro is like a whole underground city that holds the world's largest collection of Stalinist Art.

I am very satisfied.

I have been using the Firebirds (Travel All Russia) services for a while. I am very satisfied.

WOW. From the choice of hotels to...

WOW. From the choice of hotels, an itinerary that ran to plan, the amazing Guides and drivers, and of course the stunning cities of Moscow and St Petersburg. No long queues for entry to museums, churches, and palaces.  I would gladly recommend using Firebird Tours (Travel All Russia) to anyone.

THANK YOU for making this happen for me !!!

I must say from the day I started to book my tip till the day I got home I had one GREAT trip and experience I always felt safe and cared for help was seconds away not that I needed any I will defiantly highly recommend your company to any traveler to Russia WELL DONE to the Whole team THANK YOU for making this happen for me !!!

We enjoyed the whole trip a lot

Overall we enjoyed the whole trip a lot. Moscow is beautiful and clean. Thank you very much for your patience and excellent organization of this tour. Everything ran very smoothly and according to schedule. The guides met us on time at hotels or at our train carriage on arrival. They all spoke good English, had a good local knowledge and were very kind and helpful.

The tour lived up to all expectations

I’m most pleased with Travel All Russia in arranging our ‘Volga Dream’ Russia tour, I would recommend using your services again as every aspect of our tour went off without a hitch. The communication between our tour representative was excellent as we required additional days on both ends of our tour. The visa process and the logistics were flawlessly implemented.

We had a great time in Moscow!

Everything was perfect and we are very satisfied with services and accommodations.

Loved my time in Russia

The trip was great. Especially want to mention the guides I had on the extra days were exceptional. Both guides and drivers worked out well. Thanks again for all your help and attention. Loved my time in Russia, and still haven’t stopped talking about it.

Exploring Magnificent Russian Capitals, June 2017

Just want to say that our guide in St Petersburg was really outstanding. You really felt like someone was looking after you. Very observant - knowledgeable. We really enjoyed time spent with her.

Exploring Vibrant Moscow, June 2017

The experience was great!!! We had an excellent guide. The hotel was fabulous.

Thank you for your help !!! was an unforgettable trip.

Related destinations

More about moscow.

• Call us now
• Request a call
• Chat on WhatsApp
• Start Live chat
• Contact via email

Moscow & St. Petersburg Small Group Tours Private Tour Packages Trans-Siberian Trips Russian River Cruises Moscow Tour Packages St. Petersburg Tours All Russia Tours

Why Travel to Russia Best Time to Visit Russia Russian Visa Information Tips Before Traveling Tips on Arrival Russian Currency Moscow Travel Guide Read More in Our Blog

Hermitage Museum Church of the Savior on Blood The Kremlin Sergiev Posad, Golden Ring Kizhi Island The Red Square Siberia Lake Baikal

Fla. Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST39939 All Rights Reserved © 2024 About Us | Testimonials  | Our Blog  |  Terms of Service  | Privacy Policy  

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser .

• Moscow Tours

Our 20 Best Moscow Tours of 2022

Join us on an unforgettable tour to Moscow, the capital of Russia. Imagine visiting Red Square, St. Basil’s the Kremlin and more. Moscow is one of Europe’s most vibrant cities and one of Russia’s most historical. All of our tours to Moscow are fully customizable and can be adjusted to fit any budget. Our most popular tours are listed below. Please click on the tour details to learn more or contact us for more information about our Moscow tours using the form at the side of the page. You can also schedule a call with one of our Russian travel specialists to learn more.

Classic Moscow

This is our most popular Moscow tour that includes all the most prominent sights. You will become acquainted with ancient Russia in the Kremlin, admire Russian art in the Tretyakov Gallery, listen to street musicians as you stroll along the Old Arbat street, and learn about Soviet times on the Moscow Metro tour.

Accommodation

PRIVATE TOUR

A Week in Moscow

This tour is a perfect choice for those who wish to get to know Moscow in depth. One of the highlights of this package is the KGB history tour which gives an interesting perspective on the Cold War. You will also have time for exploring the city on your own or doing extra sightseeing.

Weekend in Moscow

This tour is a great way to get acquainted with the capital of Russia if you are short of time. You will see all the main attractions of the city, the most important of which is the Kremlin - the heart of Russia. The tour starts on Friday and can be combined with a business trip.

Group Tour Moscow Break by Intourist

Russia's capital has so much to offer, from the Kremlin and the Metro to the Old Arbat street and the Tretyakov Gallery. Besides these sites, you will also visit a fascinating country estate which today is quite off the beaten path, Gorky Estate, where the Soviet leader Lenin spent the last months of his life.

Kolomenskoye Tour with transport

The history of Kolomenskoye stretches back for centuries. In 1380, Dmitri Donskoi’s army passed through Kolomenskoye on their way to the Kulikovo battlefield, and it was...

Tours by car

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Armory Tour

The Kremlin is truly a fascinating structure, at the same time it is an ancient tower, the city’s former military fortification, a palace, an armory, the sovereign treasury...

Walking tours

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals, Armory, Diamond Fund Tour

Old Arbat walking tour

You will be told of the street’s interesting history and view the street’s artisan culture. You will also have the opportunity to view and purchase souvenirs from the...

Tour to Sergiev Posad with transport

Considered by some to be the Russian Vatican, Sergiev Posad is the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Trinity St. Sergius Monastery (Lavra)...

Tour to Kuskovo with transport

The Kuskovo Estate often called the Moscow Versailles due to its perfectly preserved French park, is an example of an 18th century, luxurious Moscow summer residence. Its history...

Tour to Tsaritsyno with transport

The Tsaritsyno Estate is located in the southern part of Moscow. The estate was constructed for Catherine the Great by the Russian architects Bazhenov and Kazakov in a romantic...

Moscow Metro and Old Arbat Tour

The Moscow Metro is one of the largest and most grandly built metro systems in the world. It was meant to be a showcase of the Soviet Union’s achievements for both the Russians...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion and vodka tasting)

Vodka is an important component of Russian life, an element of national identity and everyday culture. We invite you to visit the Vodka Museum and feel the atmosphere of long-gone...

Mikhail Bulgakov Apartment Museum

This apartment museum located close to Patriarch Ponds became the prototype of the "bad apartment" described in the novel "The Master and Margarita." Currently the museum's...

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Diamond Fund Tour

The State Museum of Lev Tolstoy Tour

Take this opportunity to learn more about the Russian writer Lev Tolstoy. During the visit to the museum you will see part of a vast collection of exhibits connected to Tolstoy...

Novodevichy Convent Tour with transport

Tour of the Novodevichy Monastery. Founded in 1524 by Grand Prince VasiliIoanovich, the original convent was enclosed by fortified walls and contained 12 towers. The structure...

City Tour with Visit to St. Basils & Red Sq. with transport

Panoramic City Tour. This Moscow tour is a great start to your trip and the best way to get acquainted with many of the city’s major highlights. Our professional guide will...

City Tour of Moscow

Head to the heart of Moscow with a professional guide on a 4-hour private walk through the city center. See Tverskaya and Old Arbat streets, Theatre Square with the world-famous...

Moscow Metro walking tour

Kremlin, Red Square and Cathedrals Tour

KGB Tour with transport

This is a very interesting and insightful tour. You will visit places connected with Stalin’s terror - a time of great repression and fear. You will be shown monuments to...

Soviet and Post-Soviet Moscow Tour

The tour begins with a drive or walk down Tverskaya Street – a Soviet masterpiece. In the years of Soviet power, Tverskaya began to undergo a transformation: it was widened...

Tretyakov State Gallery Tour

This world-famous gallery contains masterpieces of Russian art beginning in the 10th century up until today. You will view exquisite Russian icons and paintings from the 18th and...

Jewish Heritage of Moscow Tour

This tour offers a detailed look into the history and present-day life of the Jewish community of Moscow. On the tour, you will visit sites connected with the cultural and religious...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion only)

Lena, our guide in Moscow was excellent. She was very knowledgable and could answer any question we had for her. We liked that she could pick up on our interests and take us places we might not have thought of to go. When we realized that one of the places we had chosen to see would probably not be that interesting to us, she was able to arrange entry to the Diamond Fund and the Armoury for us. Riding the Metro with Lena was a real adventure and a lot of fun. In Saint Petersburg we found Anna well versed in the history of the Tsars and in the Hermitage collection. Arkady in Veliky Novgorod was a very good guide and answered all of our questions with ease. Novgorod was perhaps a long way to go for a day trip, but we did enjoy it. Vasily was a great driver to have and kept us safe with good humour and skill. We enjoyed ourselves so much, my daughter says she is already planning to return. We would both have no hesistation to recommend ExpresstoRussia to anyone we know.

Just wanted to let you know that My grandson Bruno and I couldn´t have been more pleased with our week in Moscow (6/15 - 6/21). We were absolutely enchanted with the whole experience, including getting lost a couple of times in the Metro during our free time. Although both our guides (both Eleanas) were excellent, I would particularly commend the first one (she took us to the Tatiakov, the KGB tour, and to that beautiful cemetery where so many great Russian artists, authors, composers, musicians, militarists, and politicians are buried). Her knowledge is encyclopedic; and her understanding of today´s Russia as a product of its past was, for us, truly enlightening. I will be taking another tour in Russia, with my wife, within the next two or three years. I will be in touch with you when the time comes. Meanwhile, I will refer you to other potential visitors to Russia as I meet them.

Tours to Moscow

Our Moscow tours are land only meaning that you arrange your own air travel to Russia and our expert staff meets you at the airport and handles everything else from there. Our online Airline Ticket booking system offers some of the most competitive rates to Russia available on the web so if you need tickets, please visit our Russian air ticket center . Rest assured that you will be taken great care of on one of our Moscow tours. Express to Russia has a fully staffed office in Moscow that will help to make your visit fun, informative and unforgettable. Please remember that of all these tours are private and can be adjusted to your taste. You can add, replace or skip some sights; you can add more days to the package or cut the tour short. Our specialists will be glad to help you create the tour of your dreams!

Moscow, a City Like No Other

Moscow is Russia’s largest city with a population of between 12 and 13 million. It is also Europe’s largest city and when you visit Moscow, you can feel it. The layout and architecture of the city is eclectic, ranging from crooked, ancient streets and alleyways to wide, bustling boulevards, from medieval churches to Stalin skyscrapers and to modern, glass buildings towering over everything and of course in the center of it all is the Kremlin and the magnificent Red Square. Moscow is also home to a fantastic, efficient and very beautiful metro system – each station having its own special design. In fact, Express to Russia’s Moscow metro tours and excursions are some of our most popular attractions that we offer. On our Moscow tours, you will see this and more.

Moscow Tours centering on Russian History

Moscow has a long and interesting history and has been the capital of Russia in many of its different iterations – capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow , the Russian Empire and of course the Soviet Union (who could ever forget the Soviet Union?). Moscow, was founded in the 12th century by Prince Yuri Dolgaruki (Yuri of the long arms – he really did have long arms!). From that time on, it was home to the Russian Tsars until Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1703. The city has survived invasions and sieges from the Mongols, the Tartars, the Poles, Lithuanians and Napoleon but has always persevered. Our Moscow tours will enlighten you on this great history and give you insights into Muscovites and their unique culture. Our Moscow tours show you what the city is like today but also brings to life the past. Moscow never seems to sleep and is bursting with energy. A Moscow tour with Express to Russia is truly the best way of getting to know Russia’s largest and most vibrant city.

Frequently Asked Questions From Our Travelers

What is the best time to visit moscow.

Any time of year is fine depending on what you plan to do. Summertime is pleasantly warm, ideal for exploring the city and its vibrant atmosphere, but Moscow will be much busier and accommodation is more expensive. Winter can be quite cold but beautiful nonetheless, and this is unproblematic if you intend to spend most of your trip in museums and galleries. There are also various festivals and events organised throughout the year. For more information about the best time to visit, read our guide

How many days are enough in Moscow?

If you plan your itinerary strategically and aren’t averse to a packed schedule, you can cover Moscow’s main sights over a long weekend. Most popular attractions are in the city centre, and the Moscow Metro allows you to cover much ground in a small amount of time. Ensure that your accommodation is fairly central and book tickets in advance, so that you can make the most of your days. For an informative and well-organised day out, check out our Moscow day tours with options to suit all interests.

Do they speak English in Moscow?

As Russia’s capital city, tourists are well accommodated in Moscow. There should be English-speaking staff in restaurants, bars, hotels, shops and attractions in tourist hotspots, and there are also English-speaking tourist police. Transport services have English translations on their maps and English announcements via intercom; alternatively, order taxis from the Yandex Taxi app (Russian Uber), though it’s unlikely that your taxi driver will speak English. If you get stuck and cannot communicate, it’s fine to use Google Translate.

Is it safe to travel to Moscow?

It is no less safe to travel to Moscow than to any European city if you exercise common sense and look after your belongings. As with every city some regions can be more unsavoury than others, but no tourist attractions are located there. The traffic in Moscow is notorious, so exercise caution when crossing roads. Do not take unlicensed taxis; book in advance or take public transport, which is widespread and perfectly safe. If you encounter any problems, look for the special tourist police who can help you. For more information, read our guide about staying safe in Russia .

Our travel brands include

Express to Russia

Join us on Facebook

We invite you to become a fan of our company on Facebook and read Russian news and travel stories. To become a fan, click here .

Join our own Russian Travel, Culture and Literature Club on Facebook. The club was created to be a place for everyone with an interest in Russia to get to know each other and share experiences, stories, pictures and advice. To join our club, please follow this link .

We use cookies to improve your experience on our Website, and to facilitate providing you with services available through our Website. To opt out of non-essential cookies, please click here . By continuing to use our Website, you accept our use of cookies, the terms of our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service . I agree