On my first visit to SW Florida, I wanted to get out on the water and not worry about gators or getting lost. I decided to look for a guided kayak tour. I appreciated that this one was led by experts and had last-minute booking available. I wasn't prepared for it to be a primarily educational tour, however. I was looking for more of a "get out on an adventure and workout" sort of tour. I learned a lot but I wish that we could have stopped and listened to the guide less, and kayaked and explored more. It was a very easy, straightforward trip around Rookery Bay. We went through some mangrove tunnels a few times, which was a highlight. This is great tour for conservation enthusiasts, bird watching enthusiasts, and marine life enthusiasts. We saw osprey and starfish. It was not physically demanding. The guides are very knowledgeable. This tour is not as great of a fit for families with younger children and lower attention spans, or for people who want to be more active and kayak at a slightly faster pace.

The guides were so knowledgeable and found things we would have missed. What a beautiful way to enjoy to natural beauty of this area and why it is so important to protect. I would paddle with Derrick and Rene any day! You don't have to be an expert kayaker.

Evan was a great guide. He was knowledgeable, informative, engaged, and inclusive. He made this a great experience and I would definitely recommend

Beautiful day kayaking in the Rookery Bay estuary! Our guide Derick was very informative and made the excursion educational. It is a delightful tour and the perfect amount of time on the water! Would highly recommend you do this activity on a any perfect Southwest FL day!

Took Life’s a Beach Cruise Barrier Island Shelling trip with Ryan. He was Fantastic ! Gave us lots of information , made sure we identified all kinds of birds, brought us up close to a pod of dolphins. Identified and explained many shells. Could not have gone any better. Highly recommend to go on a trip with this group

Incredible morning experience with serene water and wildlife. The guides had deep understanding of the ecosystem and local history.

The guides were not only knowledgeable but we're also masters at what they do. We had difficulty with wind and very high tide and they tackled it like pros. Even with an elderly woman in the group who couldn't paddle on her own, they made it work. Special shout-out to Nadine who had to drag said elderly woman behind her the entire trip.

Ray and Syd were awesome guides. Both were very knowledgeable and approachable throughout our paddle. I had many great takeaways from this paddle. I do this paddle every year I'm in Naples for the winter. I wish they had taken a few more "candid photo shots" during our paddle. Other than that, they were "Da Bomb"! Rick Lyndhurst, OH

We really had an enjoyable kayaking trip! We had 2 knowledgeable guides who provided quite a bit of information and made the tour educational and fun. Our family of 4, with 2 kids 13 and 6, all enjoyed it. For families with littles, the water in most places is only waist deep so I felt safe with the barely 6-year-old. There were many different birds and so much sea life I was not expecting to see. We paddled to a very shallow area and were able to get out of the kayaks and explore. We had snacks for the little one there and he was able to explore as well. We saw a hermit crab, conchs, whelks, upside down jellyfish, and a horseshoe crab. We also found sponges and sea stars. It was amazing for the kids to see up close and appreciate the diversity of life in the area. Thanks Rising Tide! Wonderful memories made.

Very knowledgeable guides. Both guides had biology degrees and knew so much about the estuary. Rising Tide donates part of their profits to preserving the estuary which show how compassionate they are about conservation. Loved this tour so much. Learned a lot. The mangrove tunnels were beautiful.

Awesome guides! Derek & Victoria were very informative & receptive to any and all questions. Laid back, relaxing tour!

Lewis, our knowledgeable guide, led us on an unforgettable kayak tour around Marco Island, Florida, weaving through the intricate mangrove tunnels while narrating the rich history of the region. As we paddled through the winding waterways, Lewis enlightened us about the significance of mangroves in the ecosystem, highlighting their role in protecting the coastline and providing a habitat for diverse marine life. Amidst the tranquil surroundings, Lewis regaled us with fascinating tales of Marco Island's past, from its indigenous Calusa inhabitants to its modern-day development. He painted vivid pictures of the island's evolution, seamlessly blending historical facts with local folklore, enriching our understanding of this coastal paradise. The tour wasn't just a journey through nature; it was a journey through time, offering glimpses into the past while immersing us in the beauty of the present. Lewis's passion for the environment and his profound knowledge of the area left us awestruck and inspired. Lewis's kayak tour was a truly enriching experience, offering a perfect blend of adventure, education, and appreciation for the natural world.

The kayak trip to the Rookery was fantastic. The site of hundreds of birds arriving as the sun set in the Gulf was unmatched. And our guide, Rory, provided a great commentary to enrich the experience.

Winston, our guide is passionate, professional and extremely knowledgeable. Great for all ages. We saw magnificent birds, dolphin and an incredible sunset. Natures gift.

My wife and I have lived in the area for several years and I am ashamed we have not done this sooner. Renee and Derek were amazing at guiding us through areas we would never have explored otherwise. Not only was it a relaxing trip, but full of information about the local wildlife and vegetation. I can’t stress enough how much you should go and enjoy this guided tour.

It was a great tour for so ages and capabilities. Our guides Renee and Derek were very knowledgeable and personable. Definitely recommend!!

We had an excellent tour with Rory and Alexis. The kayaking was peaceful. Rory was very knowledgeable. We learned a lot about mangroves, estuaries and the birds we saw. I highly recommend this tour and would absolutely do it again.

This was probably the most fantastic group tour I have ever been on. The guides were on time, very knowledgeable went out of their way to accommodate everyone! We had many chances to get out of our kayaks and touch many of the marine life- amazing. We even saw dolphins swim within feet of us. Definitely a tour I would do again. Bit of a tip- we went at low tide which was great for seeing marine life but the mangrove tunnels were tougher to access.

We own kayaks and have paddled the back bays at the Jersey Shore and on the Indian River Lagoon but this kayak tour was the best kayaking experience I have had! Paddling through the mangroves was fun and relaxing. The highlight was spotting a tidal racoon just a few yards from us on a mangrove branch. Celina went out of her way to try to find other critters for us to see as well. She made the experience informative and enjoyable.

Our guides were very knowledgeable and gave a thorough explanation of everything we saw! If you are looking for a laid-back tour this is the one for you!