Combo Tour · 3.5 Hours · Boat + Kayak

Boat-Assisted Kayak Eco Tour

"The Best of a Boat, Kayak, and Walking Tour"

The best of both worlds. Our quiet skiff takes you deep into Everglades National Park territory — far beyond what any kayak rental could reach in a day. Then you transfer to kayaks and paddle through mangrove tunnels and shallow creeks no power boat can enter.

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What this tour is.

Our Boat-Assisted Kayak Eco Tour is for travelers who want to actually paddle through the mangrove tunnels but don't want to spend a full day fighting tide and distance just to reach them.

We motor you out to the launch point in our quiet skiff — covering miles of bay you'd never paddle in one day — then transfer to kayaks for the part where the real ecosystem hides. Mangrove tunnels. Shallow tidal creeks. Quiet bays where wildlife lives undisturbed.

What you'll experience.

Skiff transit — about 30 minutes by boat to a remote launch point
Guided kayak paddle — through mangrove tunnels and tidal creeks
Wildlife encounters — manatees, dolphins, herons, ibises, and more
Shore exploration — beaching the kayaks at hidden islands and shell beaches
Return by skiff — back to Chokoloskee Island with everything you saw

Who it's for.

This tour suits travelers who want a more active experience than a pure boat tour, are comfortable with light physical activity, and don't mind getting a little wet. No prior kayaking experience required — we'll get you set up and on the water within minutes.

What's included.

Florida Master Naturalist guide for the entire tour
Skiff transport to and from the kayak launch point
Single or tandem kayaks, paddles, and PFDs
USCG-required safety equipment

What to bring.

Quick-dry clothes that can get wet
Closed-toe shoes that can be wet (water shoes ideal)
Sunscreen, hat, polarized sunglasses
Camera in dry bag (we provide dry bags if needed)
Change of clothes for the drive home

Highlights

What makes this tour different.

Two ways to travel

Skiff for distance, kayak for intimacy.

Real mangrove tunnels

Places no power boat can fit.

Limited to 6

Personal pace, real wildlife.

No experience needed

We'll set you up in minutes.

FAQ

Common questions.

No. The route is calm water through protected tunnels and bays. We'll show you the basics and stay close. If you can ride a bike, you can do this.

Moderately fit. You'll be paddling for about 90 minutes total, with breaks. Most people are surprised how easy it is.

Both available. Tandems are great for couples and parent-child pairs. Singles give you more independence.

It's almost impossible to flip these kayaks — they're stable, sit-on-top boats designed for first-timers. If you do somehow get wet, you just climb back on.

Yes — and often more closely than from a boat. Wildlife is comfortable around quiet kayaks. Manatees occasionally surface within feet of paddlers.