Manatees and Mangrove Tunnels Small Group Kayak Tour
Overview
Without question, this tour route is the most unique kayak tour in the area and offers guests with the greatest opportunity to spot bucket list wildlife while visiting the Everglades area. This tour launches from a permit only launch site within the 10,000 Islands Wildlife Refuge. This route requires proper planning and expert knowledge due to the fluctuating tides. No other company is capable or willing to take the time needed for this type of planning. Guests will start their paddle through the salt marsh, a popular feeding zone for numerous long-legged wading birds and river otters. 30 minutes in guests will notice a change in habitat, transitioning into Mangroves, indicating a change in salinity and elevation. This is where you will enter one of the best Mangrove Tunnels in the county. After numerous mangrove tunnels, creeks and ponds and hopefully tons of wildlife guests will then empty out into a manatee safe zone the Faka-union Canal. Year Round expert kayak guides included!
What's Included
- [BRAND]'s Cancelation Policy
- Tandem Kayak (singles not available through [BRAND] booking)
- ACA Certified Kayak Guide
- 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
Meeting Location
25000 Tamiami Trail East
Naples, FL 34114, USA
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
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.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for guests over 275 pounds. The heavier the kayakers the less stable the kayak.
- Environmental conditions will impact the required fitness level. High winds and strong tides can make this tour more difficult.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- 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
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (11)
Q: Are there any weight restrictions for kayaking?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
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Activity code: C-54503P1
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.97 out of 5 stars based on 953 traveler reviews collected by Cool Marco Island and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (11)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Marco Island customers.
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The maximum weight capacity for kayaking is 340 lbs / 154 kg.
Nov 2021No experience is necessary! Beginners are welcome on all of our kayak tours. Most of our guests have never been in a sea kayak before. Anyone in average physical condition may join a kayak tour. If you can hike or bike, you can paddle our sea kayaks. You do not need any swimming skills either.
The only prerequisite is a healthy spirit of curiosity and adventure.
Regardless of age or skill level you will find that our expeditions offer enough flexibility to make your experience with us safe and rewarding. We will show you proper sea kayaking technique and water safety before leaving the beach. And your expert guides will be with you throughout the adventure to give you pointers and improve your skills.
Sep 2022Your safety is Cool Marco Island’s number one concern. In general, sea kayaking is safer than most other outdoor pursuits, even bicycling.
Jan 2023If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy.
Feb 2023- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EDT).
- TripAdvisor's Cancelation Policy.
- Tandem Kayak (singles not available through TripAdvisor booking).
- ACA Certified Kayak Guide.
- 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.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 6. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Manatees and Mangrove Tunnels Small Group Kayak Tour is as follows:
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for guests over 275 pounds. The heavier the kayakers the less stable the kayak.
- Environmental conditions will impact the required fitness level. High winds and strong tides can make this tour more difficult.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Manatees and Mangrove Tunnels Small Group Kayak Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Marco Island. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- [BRAND]'s Cancelation Policy
- Tandem Kayak (singles not available through [BRAND] booking)
- ACA Certified Kayak Guide
- 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 Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for guests over 275 pounds. The heavier the kayakers the less stable the kayak.
- Environmental conditions will impact the required fitness level. High winds and strong tides can make this tour more difficult.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- 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
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
