10,000 Islands Kayak Tour: Manatees and Mangroves
5.0
736 Ratings
Naples
Embark on a unique kayak tour through the 10,000 Islands Wildlife Refuge, spotting bucket list wildlife and exploring stunning mangrove tunnels. Expert guides ensure an unforgettable experience!
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- 25000 Tamiami Trail E - Our tours are small by design and our Manatees and Mangroves tour is the absolute best location in Collier County for spotting manatees from your kayak. Manatees are most abundant here during the colder winter months. Guests can expect to see manatees (best during colder periods), alligators, numerous bird species all while kayaking through some of the most extensive mangrove tunnels in the area. During the Winter months with colder water temperatures, the manatees congregate in large numbers in the deeper canal. The canal’s deeper water does not cool down as much as the surrounding Gulf of Mexico waters. Providing the manatees with water temps above 68 degrees. We will spend around 30 minutes in the canals looking for manatees and around 2-2.5 hours in the mangrove tunnels and salt marsh habitat. This is considered a “downwinder” type tour. Guests will hop in our passenger van (WE ARE OFFERING INDIVIDUAL SHUTTLES PER HOUSEHOLD, PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY FOR THIS SERVICE) Will shuttle you 1 mile down the road allowing us to kayak back to the marina around 4 miles.
What's Included
- TripAdvisor’s Cancellation Policy included
- Guided by ACA Certified Kayak Professionals
- Tandem Kayak provided (note: single kayaks unavailable for booking via TripAdvisor)
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- No Refund for going to the wrong location Meet us at 25000 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34114
- Our proprietary automated communication.
- NO REFUNDS WITHIN 24 HOURS OF TOUR
Additional Information
Undeniably, our kayak tour offers a unique course that affords the best chances of observing coveted wildlife in the Everglades locale. We commence our journey from an authorized-only inception point within the bounds of the 10,000 Islands Wildlife Refuge. Guide expertise and meticulous pre-tour planning are indispensable due to the changing tidal pattern, a commitment beyond the capability and willingness of other operators. The trip kickstarts with a jaunt through the salt marsh, a hot-spot for a diversity of wading birds and river otters. A quarter hour after commencement, guests will observe a shift in the ecosystem, transitioning into a mangrove habitat, suggestive of altered salinity and elevation levels. Following this, one of the finest Mangrove Tunnels within the county awaits exploration. Subsequent to several mangrove tunnels, streams and ponds and hopefully a plethora of wildlife, guests will finally debouch into a manatee sanctuary, Faka-union Canal. Certified kayak guides are part of the package all year round!
- We meet all guests inside the hotel lobby at 25000 Tamiami Trail East Naples, FL 34114
- Children 13 and under must ride in a two person kayak with an adult 18 or older.
- At certain tide levels this tour can become more difficult
Location
25000 Tamiami Trail E
Tamiami Trail East
We meet all guests at the Port of the Islands hotel at 25000 Tamiami Trail East Naples, FL 34114. Our office is located inside the hotel lobby.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(736 Ratings)
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Flowerc951
Apr 14, 2024
Mangroves and manatees! - I learned so much about SWFL wildlife and the mangroves! Ty was super knowledgeable and you can tell he enjoys what he does!! The weather was perfect, water felt great, kayaks were in great condition and the tour wasn’t too long or too short. Will definitely be bringing out of town family to join on our next trip! Be sure to bring bug spray if the bugs love you! Ty had some but it doesn’t hurt to bring your own just in case :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H1161wpwilliamm
Apr 14, 2024
Great experience! Wonderful scenery and amazing tour guide - Great trip! Our guide , Ty, was so knowledgeable and pointed out so much as we made the trip. His knowledge and ability to point out the wildlife and native plants added to the experience. I highly recommend it to visitors and natives alike!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pe423
Apr 13, 2024
Great Everglades Kayak Tour - This tour was fantastic! Justin was so knowledgeable about the Everglades, the habitat and history. We saw different birds, crabs, lots of fish, a couple of bull sharks and alligators ( basking in the sun on the shoreline- no need to worry😀). We would definitely recommend this adventure! Thanks again for the great morning tour and for sharing your bug spray! A must for this trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Peterbh3868ts
Apr 13, 2024
Great day in Florida - Tiffany was very knowledgeable and did an awesome job. The pace was just right the tunnels were unique. Highly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Margareta258
Apr 13, 2024
Pleasant paddling - Very nice tour through the mangroves. Ty was very knowledgeable about the wildlife. 3hrs was the perfect length of time to enjoy
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lorrainego9425gr
Apr 9, 2024
A must do!! - Awesome time! Very scenic! Our guide Tiffany was very knowledgeable and very experienced! I love to kayak and this was a very unique experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z4852ekericb
Apr 8, 2024
Great experience! - Had a blast! Ty was an amazing guide! He took us through some awesome mangrove tunnels where we saw alligators and a bull shark. He was very knowledgeable!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carin_m
Apr 7, 2024
Great afternoon in nature! - Our group of 8 with adults and kids really enjoyed kayaking through the mangrove trees and seeing tons of animals. Ty was great and we would highly recommend this activity!
Review provided by Viator
C8689ouwandas
Apr 7, 2024
Great kayaking tour - GREAT kayaking tour!! Top notch staff-very knowledgeable and personable. Kept the tour on time. Tiffany is a jewel! Loved her!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trhiii
Apr 7, 2024
Informative and enjoyable kayak tour through the Everglades - Loved this kayak tour! After our guide, Justin, gave us a brief, but complete, safety and technique talk, my wife and I set out into the everglades with six other adventurers. We chose single kayaks (a $5 upcharge) so we would have a little extra freedom and maneuverability on the water. The other couples chose doubles. All of the equipment was clean, well-built and in good operating condition.
Justin was an excellent tour guide! His depth of knowledge of the Everglades flora and fauna was truly remarkable. As we weaved our way through estuaries and mangrove tunnels, we learned so much about this remarkable habitat and its inhabitants, while getting to see many of them. This was a truly exceptional and worthwhile way to spend a Florida morning. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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