Mangrove Tunnels & Mudflats Kayak Tour - Local Biologist Guides
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Join SWFL's only active local biologist guides for an adventure through the Rookery Bay Reserve at the start of the 10,000 islands on the #1 Kayaking Tour in the USA (USAToday)! Paddle to beautiful mangrove tunnels, teeming mudflats, and intricate oyster reefs while searching for amazing wildlife like sea stars, large snails, birds, dolphin and manatee! FREE HD PHOTOGRAPHY of you and your family exploring this beautiful area is provided on every adventure.
Single Kayaks are provided for all paddlers. For children under 12 contact us directly. Perfect for the first-time paddler and the pro. Get out and explore the calm backwaters of Southwest Florida with Naples and Marco Island's only biologist guides! Book your tour today! PLEASE ARRIVE 30 MINUTES BEFORE LAUNCH TIME.
Additional availabilities, tandem kayaks, children's tickets (under 12), boat tours, and additional kayak tours including sunset tours are available for reservation by phone or website only. Call to reserve!
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Tandem kayaks & Children's tickets (under 12) are available for reservation by phone only. Call to reserve!
The Isle of Capri Paddlecraft Park requires a $10 Parking Pass per vehicle if you do not have a Collier County Beach Parking Sticker
Must be able to paddle a kayak for 2 - 3 hours
Weight in excess of 250lbs must call for special accommodations
Children under 3 are not permitted
Children under 12 must ride in a tandem kayak with an adult
If cancelled due to weather or dangerous conditions, you will be offered to reschedule or be provided with a full refund
Maximum group size of 12 paddlers
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Enjoy the Rookery Bay Reserve by kayak with hourly rentals or on a guided kayak tour with the only biologist guides in Naples & Marco Island and the exclusive ecotour partners of the Friends of Rookery Bay in support of the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve!
Marco Island
We will be paddling into the Mangrove Tunnels of the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve just North of Marco Island launching from the Isle of Capri Paddlecraft Park. The regions only biologist guides will help you find unique wildlife while teaching you about the ecology and history of this amazing place! Get on the water with the guides who have spent their lives studying this area and explore with a real local biologist!
What‘s Included
REAL Local Biologist Guides with Master's Degrees
FREE Admission to the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center
FREE PHOTOGRAPHY - Available for free download after your adventure
Single-Seater Kayak with high back seats, cup holder, and room for storage (ages 12+)
Low Profile Paddling Life Vests, & Dry Bags
A real adventure with the most awesome science nerds in the land!
Water is not included. Please bring plenty of water to drink
Sunscreen
Proper Clothing & Footwear - Flip flops are okay, but not ideal
For children under 12 or tandem kayak requests, please contact us directly
Cash for Gratuity - Gratuity is customary and much appreciated by our hard working biologist guides
Parking Fees
Options
Single Kayak - 1 Adult
Reviews
797 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Guides
Rob C,,Feb 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Guides were excellent The mangroves were very nice and the guides did a good job explaining the waters and nature were observed.
Fun, informative and beautiful!
S6428TQcaras,,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time during our tour! Derek and Renae were excellent tour guides and very knowledgeable. The day was perfect and we were lucky enough to see a couple dolphins! Highly recommend Rising Tides Explorers!
A peaceful day on the water
Jim W,,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Beautiful day on the water! Guides were awesome! Very informative! There’s a lot to explore there. Wish we had gone into a couple more mangrove tunnels.
Amazing Kayaking experience
Jillian D,,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The team was amazing and the kayaking experience was so special oak. Evan and team have advanced degrees in biology and make the trip both a visually beautiful experience while also providing in-depth knowledge of the fascinating eco system that surrounds you.
A MUST do when visiting SW FL
joedZ4843QZ,,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00For paddlers who are serious about learning about the miracle (that is still exists!) of the Nature Conservancy who care for the 100,000+ acres of preserved land/water. The naturalists/guides are fantantist - well qualified and great with people of all ages/levels. (HINT: Do this as early as possible in the day before the wind comes up!)
Morning Mangroves Kayak Tour
AJo88,,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Guides were knowledgeable and took good care of our group. I love how they showed us a sea star and many other interesting biological things along the way. They include free pictures to download after the tour and wet bags to use for anything you choose to bring. We had fun kayaking through the mangroves.
Great trip!
Y630PTstephene,,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A great trip. We were lucky to have the tour with just my wife and me. Sierra was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable, a very good explainer and communicator. We recommend this trip highly!
Learned alot while exploring something new for me
D7525HDront,,Feb 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I didn't quite expect how educational this trip would be. Liked that we had 2 experts who could answer any questions, Evan and Harrison. It was exciting to learn about the plants and see first hand lots of sea creatures. I got to hold a sea urchin. Highy recommend this trip as a great place to explore. I'm 75 and usually kayak rivers so, this was a cool change.
Great experience!
Peggreg81,,Feb 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Rising tide adventures are the absolute best. Our guides Sierra & Kody were very good at explaining what we were seeing & how to best steer & paddle our kayak. The adventure in the kayak was a great learning experience. We were able to see sea stars & two types of conch’s on the mud flat. We also got to see a dolphin & osprey’s with fresh caught fish in their talons!
A Perfect Day on the Water
dolphinette2,,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our skipper/guide was Ryan a biologist steeped with knowledge about the estuaries, vegetation, birds and marine life. He answered any and all questions and it was obvious he loves his work. Being on the watercraft with only 4 people made it like a private class and a valuable one. I highly recommend it Ps Ryan praised all of his colleagues, saying whoever your skipper is will be equally knowledgeable.
From US$69.99
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