Embark on a truly unique kayak adventure through the Everglades area, offering unparalleled opportunities to encounter remarkable wildlife.
This tour departs from a special launch site within the 10,000 Islands Wildlife Refuge, accessible only with a permit.
Navigating this route demands meticulous planning and expert knowledge due to the ever-changing tides. Our team dedicates the necessary time for this precise preparation, a commitment unmatched by other operators.
Begin your journey paddling through the salt marsh, a vibrant feeding ground for various long-legged wading birds and playful river otters.
After about 30 minutes, you'll notice a distinct shift in scenery as you enter the mangrove ecosystem, signaling a change in water salinity and elevation. This marks your entry into one of the finest mangrove tunnels in the region.
Following an exploration of numerous mangrove tunnels, creeks, and ponds, with hopeful sightings of abundant wildlife, you'll emerge into the Faka-union Canal, a protected zone for manatees.
Experienced kayak guides, certified by the ACA, are included year-round to ensure a safe and informative experience.
Activity Schedule
3 h
Our tours are intentionally kept small, and our Manatees and Mangroves tour provides the premier location in Collier County for spotting manatees from your kayak. These gentle giants are most frequently seen here during the cooler winter months.
Expect to encounter manatees (especially during colder periods), alligators, and a variety of bird species while you kayak through some of the most extensive mangrove tunnels in the area. During winter, manatees gather in large numbers in the deeper canal waters, which remain warmer than the surrounding Gulf of Mexico, maintaining temperatures above 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
We will dedicate approximately 30 minutes to exploring the canals for manatees, followed by 2 to 2.5 hours navigating the mangrove tunnels and salt marsh habitats.
This excursion is designed as a "downwinder" type tour. We will provide individual shuttles per household in our passenger van (please arrive early for this service) to transport you one mile down the road. This allows us to kayak back to the marina, covering a distance of about 4 miles.
Please remember to include 'EAST' when entering the address. Our meeting point is at the Port of the Islands hotel, located at 25000 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34114. Our office is situated within the hotel lobby.
Please remember to include 'EAST' when entering the address. Our meeting point is at the Port of the Islands hotel, located at 25000 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34114. Our office is situated within the hotel lobby.
- PLEASE, READ EVERYTHING ON THIS TICKET CAREFULLY. WE DON'T HAVE CONTROL OF WHEN THESE EMAILS ARE SENT, AND OUR TOUR COMPANY ISN'T IN CHARGE OF BILLING.
GUESTS MUST ARRIVE 15 MINUTES EARLY. PLAN ACCORDINGLY!
You will not be allowed to participate if you don't arrive 15 minutes before the tour start time.
Please, take the arrival time as seriously as you would an airport arrival time!
We shuttle participants to the launch site from our meeting location. This is why you must show up 15 minutes before the tour starts.
24-HOUR CANCELLATION IS ENFORCED
Meet us at 25000 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, Florida 34114. At the Port of the Islands, Everglades Adventure Resort. We are located inside the hotel lobby.
There are no refunds for going to the wrong launch site.
TO CANCEL OR RESCHEDULE, YOU MUST CONTACT VIATOR/TRIPADVISOR
Please wear appropriate clothing you won't mind getting a little wet or dirty. Sunscreen, hat, and polarized sunglasses are recommended.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.