We had the best time with Christopher. He told us some history and knowledge dude knows every plant and animal in the swamp!
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Professional guide
- Kayaking equipment and safety briefing
Excludes
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Please meet at the EVERGLADES AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE building at the intersection of US 41 (Tamiami Trail) and SR 29 (Collier Blvd.); This area is also known as Carnestown. Look for your guide's vehicle on the SE corner of the intersection pulling a kayak trailer loaded with kayaks.
Return
- Please meet at the EVERGLADES AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE building at the intersection of US 41 (Tamiami Trail) and SR 29 (Collier Blvd.); This area is also known as Carnestown. Look for your guide's vehicle on the SE corner of the intersection pulling a kayak trailer loaded with kayaks.
Itinerary
Located just a 1.5-hour drive south of Fort Myers lie the incredible Florida Everglades. On this 3.5-hour eco-tour, enjoy a kayak adventure through the lush mangrove tunnels and discover the area’s diverse ecosystem. Your tour will begin with a brief introduction on how to maneuver your single-person kayak (no experience required). Once you feel comfortable with the kayak, paddle down the lake and arrive at a narrow entryway, where the mangrove tunnels form a canopy approximately 10 feet (3 meters) overhead. This is one of the largest mangrove forests in North America! Follow your naturalist guide as you explore the vast and varied ecosystem and keep your eyes out for herons, egrets, ducks, spoonbills, alligators, otters and a variety of fish species. Along the way, your guide will provide an interesting, informative overview of the area and its incredible ecosystem.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
We had the BEST time! Guide is friendly, knowlegable and the time frame was perfect! We saw gators and even a mama with tiny babies!
First time to kayak in this area. Enjoyed it and Chris is good guide. Tested skill of avoiding mangrove roots and branches in tunnels. Got stabbed by one. Only challenge was being eaten by mosquitoes in parking point. Didn't see alot of wildlife. But recommend this tour!
Chris was our guide. He was so knowledgeable about the plants, birds, alligators and fish. It was great to learn about the eco system we were kayaking through. He had great energy, eased any concerns we had and made the trip so great. His goal was to teach us how to love and appreciate the area like he does. He succeeded!!!
We had a fantastic tour with our guide, Chris. He was so knowledgeable and passionate about the plants, animals and ecosystems, and also flexible, kind and entertaining when kayaking with kids. Chris reassured us of our safety and really made us feel comfortable out in the waters that was teeming with wildlife!
There were three of us and we had requested individual kayaks, which your site stated they were, however, when we met Chris he said I have an order for one single and one double. We explained we were all expecting our own kayak and he had enough kayaks on the trailer to accommodate our request, however, he kind of ignored the fact that we told him we were expecting that and pulled off a two person and a single. Chris was a very good guide, but we really were not happy with that situation.
It’s about 2 hours of actual kayaking. Alligators are not there usually which we were hoping to see. Water too salty. Saw an otter and lots of birds. Pretty out there and guidexwas great.
Christopher was an excellent guide. Friendly, knowledgeable, and entertainng.
This was an exceptional experience. We were lucky with the weather, admittedly, but bright blue skies and pleasant temperatures are what Florida is known for in January. We saw alligators up close (as in, perhaps 10 feet away), great blue herons, egrets, little blue herons, a snake, and plenty more. Our kids (aged 9 and 13) had a great time doing "monkey bars" on the mangroves to help propel the kayak along in the parts where the river was more closed in by the trees. The trip takes places on the Turner River Paddling Trail, which is slightly to the north east of Everglades City. It was almost exactly 3 hours long, and we had 3 other two person kayaks with us. Our guide had completed the Florida Master Naturalist program, and gave excellent, age-appropriate answers to our (and our kids') questions. One of my favorite parts was a discussion of two co-habiting trees - one was a tropical tree, at the northern edge of its range; the other found in temperate climates, and the very southern edge of its range. The two trees together hosted several other plants on their branches. All in all, educational, peaceful, relaxing and fun. It certainly felt more in tune with nature than an air boat ride, which are loud and fast.
Chris was an amazing navigator through the mangrove trail. His knowledge of the foliage is vast. We really enjoyed the experience and will do this excursion again! Paul and Beverly B
This is an incredible way to experience the Everglades "up close and personal - don't miss this opportunity! Our fabulous guide Chris shared his love and knowledge of the unique flora and fauna. We got (respectfully) close to alligators of all sizes - from 12 inches to 15 feet. Our group (grandparents, parents, and kids age d 7 to 11) all had a great time! Highly recommended!
We didn't expect as much before so that we're positively surprised from the amazing tour. We were a small group that made it much more special. Chris is a fantastic enthusiastic guide - we've learned a lot about the ecosystem.
This was a very special unique experience. Not only a chance to kayak through parts of the Everglades and tall grasses, but also through the mangrove tunnels, which was very special and unique.
This tour was really the highlight of our trip to the Everglades! Our guide Chris Thorn was very knowledgeable on all of the plant and wild life and encouraged us to ask a lot of questions. The kayaking itself was very fun and the mangrove tunnels were mesmerizing. This tour is a must do when visiting the glades!
What a great tour! The guide was knowledgeable of the complex Everglades ecosystem and both showed himself and inspired in us a sincere appreciation of its beauty. This was definitely the highlight of our Florida trip!
It was an amazing time with Chris. He was our guide, very knowledgeable about the area and took us to some beautiful places. Definitely going to do this again if I’m gonna be in the area really cool experience.
Great trip our guides was Guy who was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the local environment. Fully recommend this trip
We loved this kayaking trip! Guy was an amazing guide - so knowledgeable and never got tired of answering our questions. The mangrove tunnels are beautiful and very peaceful. Loved seeing so many different birds. Would thoroughly recommend as it was a lot of fun.
If you want to know what the Everglades are like, you must take this excursion! Our location was in the Big Cypress Preserve. The 2 of us had never kayaked before. The leader, Chris Thorn, was terrific and showed us what we needed to do, coached as necessary. He really knew the area, pointed out animals and plants we might have missed. Chris was an outstanding excursion leader and was very knowledgeable. Highly recommend this excursion!!
We had an incredible time on this mangrove kayaking tour! Exploring with friends, we not only enjoyed the adventure but also gained a newfound appreciation for the local wildlife—especially the alligators! Our guide, Chris, was both knowledgeable and entertaining, making the experience even more memorable. I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a fun and educational outdoor adventure!
Took a kayak tour in March. Our guide Chris was outstanding - great information, fun presentation, paced for a relaxing paddle. He really passed on his appreciation for animals and plant life to the group. Doing the tour early in our trip meant we could appreciate everything even more over the remainder of the trip. Highly recommend the tour!
Fantastic experience. Tour guide Chris led us on an amazing trip through the mangroves. Saw lots of amazing birds and some beautiful gators. Chris was great. Not only did he identify birds and snakes but he also provided details about the different ecosystems. Highly recommend this experience.
Amazing experience. Chris knocked it out of the park as a guide and was so knowledgeable about the wildlife - felt like learning from a fun teacher. The kayaking was easy and the scenery was serene.
Chris was an EXCELLENT guide and was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the ecology and preservation of the Everglades ecosystem. I left with new knowledge and greater appreciation. Highly recommend to anyone seeking a relaxing paddle through some of the less seen and intimate parts of the Everglades.
Amazing tour! True nature paradise. Great Guide... This was my 3rd visit to Everglades and I have done many different trails - this was the best experience!
Incredible experience. Charles was both knowledgable and entertaining. Our group consisted of 3 generations. All had a fantastic time.
What a wonderful 3-hour paddle tour in Big Cypress National Preserve. We totally recommend it. Our very knowledgeable guide pointed out and explained the beautiful scenery (birds and plant life) throughout our tour. He was a great resource and full of information. We even saw multiple alligators, including little baby alligators! The mangrove tunnel part of the paddle was really cool. Most folks can do this kayak tour since it's not too physically challenging, and it was fun.
Having heard great reviews about Everglades area tours, we decided to book the Mangrove Kayak Tour during our trip to Miami without much hesitation, and it turned out to be the right choice. Chris, our guide, gave us an unforgettable experience, making the entire tour enjoyable and helping us have a great time kayaking. It was a true pleasure to see alligators, water snakes, turtles, and wading birds up close while kayaking with him. The kayaking itself was incredibly fun, and we really appreciated Chris’s professional explanations and assistance. I would definitely recommend this tour to others!
We had an amazing time with my 2 girlfriends kayaking through red mangroves. Our guide Chris was very knowledgeable about the Everglades bio habitat, animals, plants 🌱 , and he took the most beautiful pictures on top of it! He took us to see an alligator up close. 🐊 We truly will remember this experience forever! 💯 recommend this tour!!!
Awesome trip! Don was a great guide. He's very knowledgeable about the mangroves and the plants and animals that call them home. This was a great way to get an up-close look at plants like bromeliads and orchids, and animals like different birds, alligators and some neat bugs. The kayaking was not difficult at all with only a mild current. Would definitely do this again!
Guide was great. Very knowledgeable. Beautiful day. Downside, water was too high. Didn't make it under the bridge without tipping. Would go again under different circumstances.
Incredible nature and guide (Donnie)! We expected to see some alligators (we did), but we did not expect to have such a knowledgeable guide who knew so much about the plants, differences between the eco-systems and birds/insects. Other nearbly trips attract alligators with food etc., thankfully none of that here.
What a great trip and guide! Don really made the trip so enjoyable, with his real knowledge about the ecosystem. I would Highly recommend this tour and make sure to ask for Don for your tour guide!
Don, our tour guide, was super informative. We learned a whole about the Everglades ecosystem (tillandsia, alligators, pond apple, various local bird species we spotted). Cruising the river and then the smaller mangrove tunnels was a unique experience. Don was patient with vacationers who were not the best of kayakers. He was even more patient yet with some of the group who were a tad annoying and ruining the group experience for the rest of us.
Don was had amazing level of knowledge which was all told in a humerus but informative way. Saw little wildlife but the experience was still really good
Don was a superb guide. Brought the Everglades to life with his deep knowledge and wonderful style of delivery. If you are looking for a sense of exploration and discovery then this is for you.
Very informative. Saw lots of gators, varieties of fish, and nesting Osprey. Bring plenty of bug spray for when in dense tree over-story.
Easy paddle through a natural habitat few experience. Chris is an experienced and knowledgeable guide who makes learning fun. He is helpful, patient and friends with the natives! I wish we could have had more time in the preserve to experience other flora and fauna. I would, without a doubt, book with this company again but only if Chris were our guide again.
Great experience, lots of wildlife and beautiful scenery. It was a relaxing paddle through the mangroves. My teen boys enjoyed it and we would definitely do again.
Alligators=Super Cool. Bromeliads were awesome. We all had a good time! Educational, good and fun for kids. Carter was very helpful!
Our group of five teenagers and other family members had a great time with Chris! A beautiful trip with amazing detail on the ecosystem and habitat, plus super fun seeing alligators. Not too hot or difficult, and minimal bugs made this a highlight of our trip to Marco Island. We definitely recommend!
The tour was our highlight during our trip through the Everglades. We could experience alligators, turtles and stunning birds and plants from very close. Chris, our guide was very knowledgeable and kind -he shared all his experience and passion for this special ecosystem with us. We learned a lot and every question has been answered and the time really was flying by. I only regret to have booked "just" 3 hours. Keep up the good work, Chris!
Friendly skilled guide took us up and down a spectacular river in the Everglades. This short trip introduced you to the magic of the Everglades. It covers a section of the Turner River before it meets salt water where you see bromeliads, orchids, cypress trees and of course alligators
We really enjoyed this tour and left feeling like we had experienced a unique and special tour. Chris was a wonderful guide. We learned a lot about the mangrove and its ecosystem, and we loved the kayaking through it all. It was a fabulous tour and we highly recommend it!
The whole 3 hours was so diversified, there was something new around every bend! Our guide, Carter, was very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna, and historical background of the area. The mangrove tunnels were beautiful to say the least, and paddling on the river was a little challenging at times, but overall, very serene and relaxing. Up close and personal with the Gators! My group of three had the best time!!!
The guide was very khowledgeable and showed us a lot of cool things. The scenery was beautiful. Listening to the frogs was awesome. Got to see some alligators as well.
Kayaking through mangroves was an incredible experience. Chris was very experienced with the wildlife and plant life and would stop to explain about both. From crocodiles, to little egg sacks smaller then your pinky, to learning about how tropical and temperate zones overlapping and the trees that come with it, I feel like I only got a glimpse of what made Big Cypress so incredible. Only regret was not coming with a full go pro battery and not being able to do the 6 hour trip to the 1000 islands. Incredible experience and I really hope to get back out there soon. Bring rain gear!!
This guided tour was perfect! Just the right amount of time (3 hours). Our tour guide, Chris was very knowledgeable, telling our group everything you could possibly need to know regarding all the animals and vegetation in the area! We saw many alligators (which Chris has affectionately individually named!) The mangrove tunnels were very cool! I highly recommend!
We spent a great afternoon with our guide Chris. Chris was very knowledgeable about the vegetation and wildlife. We saw at least a dozen alligators on our kayak tour (most of which we wouldn't even have noticed if not for Chris pointing them out) and numerous birds indigenous to the area. It was an excellent experience!
Chris was extremely knowledgeable and it was well worth the price. Great experience. Our favorite part was going through the mangrove tunnels.
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
Reach us by phone
Reach us by email
