- Kayak Activities Category Kayak Activities
Paddle into the heart of the Rookery Bay Reserve to explore the remote backwaters of its mangrove lined bays with a local biologist as your guide!
Book Online and get 5% OFF with code 'EXPLORE'!
Naples & Marco Island
Check out our Explorer’s Academy program for your young explorer’s this summer! Get in the field with real local biologists and learn about conducting environmental research, wildlife monitoring & tracking techniques, and what it’s like to be a scientist in SWFL!
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!
Naples & Marco Island
Join a local biologist on a journey through the beautiful estuaries of Southwest Florida in search of unique wildlife as you explore winding mangrove tunnels, oyster reefs, mudflats, and hidden bays.
Paddle into the heart of the Rookery Bay Reserve to explore the remote backwaters of its mangrove lined bays with a local biologist as your guide!
Head out of Shell Island Road and experience evening in the estuary with on of our biologist guides! Watch over 1,000 birds return to rest for the night on Rookery Bay’s famous bird rookery island!
This 3-hour nature cruise captained by a local biologist will allow you to immerse yourself into some of the most beautiful areas of wild Southwest Florida. Learn about the history and ecology of the Rookery Bay Reserve as you cruise among the mangrove and barrier island systems in search of local wildlife like birds, dolphin, and more!
Rising Tide Explorers gives you the opportunity to experience some of Naples & Marco Island’s most beautiful natural areas with kayak rentals and exciting adventures led by the region’s only team of 100% active local biologist guides. Go exploring on a family friendly guided kayak tour for a paddle into the mangrove tunnels, a relaxing guided boat eco tour to unique and restricted areas of Rookery Bay, and catch sunset at the famous bird rookery island as over 1,000 birds return to their roost for the night, all led by the local biologists who study the areas unique ecology and wildlife.
A percentage of the proceeds from our adventures and rentals goes to support the Friends of Rookery Bay.
Our guides are the real deal. Check out their backgrounds and read about their local research projects on our About Us page!
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Southwest Florida’s Only Biologist Guides |
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KAYAK TOURS & RENTALS
Isle of Capri Paddlecraft Park
1295 Capri Blvd.
Naples, FL 34113
Shell Island Road Kayak Launch
1 Shell Island Rd
Naples, FL 34113
BOAT TOURS
Rookery Bay Field Station – Shell Island Rd.
10 Shell Island Rd
Naples, FL 34113
Enter code “EXPLORE” at checkout for 5% off online bookings. Free photography is included with every tour.
"I have been on a lot of kayak tours in SWFL and around the world, but this experience was unique from all of them. As an engineer and outdoorsman, I consider myself well versed in the environment around me. Listing to our guide take her Marine Biology Masters Degree and make colorfully accurate correlations between ecology and the familiar, you can't help but have your inner explorer come out. If you want to paddle and be bored in 30mins, book a tour elsewhere. If you likes to be captivated by a truly awesome biologist and adventurer, hang with Rising Tide Explorers.
"This is the second time I have done a tour with Rising Tide Explorers, and I learned even more about the area than I did the first time. Ryan is so knowledgable, professional and passionate about educating people, that you can't help but take away new knowledge about the waterways and wildlife of Collier County. I will definitely be taking more tours with Rising Tide Explorers, and will be bringing friends and family to enjoy this unique experience."
– TripAdvisor"This was a birthday gift for me and what a great one it was! I had a wonderful time. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about local flora and fauna and I was so grateful that he took pictures so we didn’t have to. It was an experience I’ll never forget and I hope to go on another adventure with them in the future!"
– TripAdvisor"Myself & my boyfriend are travelling from NZ and staying with my Aunt & Uncle in Florida, and my aunt organised us to go for a tour with Ryan who is super knowledgeable, we learnt heaps about birds & the ecosystem and had a good day paddling. It was super hot so take some water with you. We also saw dolphins which was so awesome!!!! Highlight of the morning. Loved it."
– TripAdvisor"Exceptional guide in Capt. Ryan. Very educational and enjoyable at the same time. So much great info on Florida fish, fauna, and fowl. Every Floridian should take this tour! We also saw dolphins which was a real treat! Highly recommend the tour and the company to get a real Florida experience that takes you back in time, not just another tour boat experience."
– TripAdvisor"The team at Rising Tide is world-class. Their professionalism is balanced by a genuine joy for sharing the experience and beauty of the estuary with guests. Our tour guide was a biologist who couldn’t be stumped by any question, and told the story of the ecosystem in a way a non SWFLA native like me could appreciate. We witnessed an abundance of wildlife and it was truly a special day. Thank you Rising Tide!"
– TripAdvisor"If you are considering booking this experience....just DO IT! You wont regret a second. The tour lasts 3 hours and by the time it's over, you are not ready for it to end. The staff of Rising Tide are not the typical tour guides, these are extremely knowledgeable/highly educated Biologists that clearly love what they do. They go above and beyond to make the trip fun. A five star rating is just not high enough for this group!"
– TripAdvisor"We really enjoyed the tour! It was fantastic to have a real biologist as a guide. So often you get someone who really does not know what they are talking about but that was not the case here. The guides had the knowledge and was able to keep us all, my wife and I, our 11 and 8 year-olds hooked. The scenery was beautiful and the time was simply wonderful. We would strongly recommend to anyone. Best kayaking experience in SWFL by far!
A portion of the proceeds from your tour or rental goes to support the research, education, and conservation efforts of the Rookery Bay Reserve!
FREE ADMISSION! Get free admission to the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center for everyone in your party when you book a guided kayak tour or boat tour with Rising Tide Explorers! *Must visit within 24-hours of your tour
Looking for a kayak, paddleboard, or gear for your next adventure? Stop by our shop Naples Outfitters and browse SWFL's largest selection of Hobie Kayaks, Eddyline Kayaks, Ocean Kayaks, Old Town Kayaks, SIC Paddleboards, and top brand outdoor apparel, footwear, gear, and accessories!