9:30am or 12:30pm Kayak Tour (2.5 hours)
After meeting your naturalist guide and the rest of the group (no more than eight participants) at the designated departure point, you’ll head to the day’s selected launch point on Marco Island (launch points vary based on daily weather conditions).

Hop in your double kayak (single kayaks are only used when there is an odd number of participants) and take off on the water, floating through the mangrove tunnels and keeping your eyes open for wildlife. Your guide will help you spot birds like ospreys, eagles and herons, as well as marine animals like dolphins, turtles and maybe even manatees!

Depending on the daily conditions, your guide may take you to the Rookery Bay Preserve, a favorite part of the tour. As you paddle among the 110,000 acres of mangrove forests, uplands and protective waters, watch for some of the 150 bird species and other wildlife that live in the reserve. Or you might visit the bird rookeries, where adult birds fly in and out, bringing food for their chicks.

When you arrive back on shore, you’ll return to the original starting point.

8:30am Kayak Tour with Beach Landing (6 hours)
This tour starts and ends the same way as the above tour, but includes more time paddling at a longer distance. Bring your own packed lunch to enjoy on the beach.

After pushing off from the launch point in your kayak, follow your guide on the water, making your way through the mangroves and out to a nearby barrier island. Pull up on the sand to enjoy some time on the beach.

Depending on the daily currents, your guide will most likely choose one of three islands: Brush Key, Coon Key or Keewaydin Island. Brush and Coon are small and usually secluded; Keewaydin is larger with more wildlife and often other visitors, which results in a livelier, fun atmosphere. Wherever you are, dig in to the picnic lunch you brought with you and rest up for the paddle back to Marco Island.