Should You Take a Self-Guided or Guided Kayak Tour in Naples?
Are you in or traveling to Naples, Florida and want to go kayaking? Kayaking is a great way to explore the outdoors of Southwest Florida while also being active.
While Florida?s sandy white beaches are very popular, taking a kayak tour gives you a more ?off the beaten path? way to experience the nature of the area. There are a few different ways to take a kayak tour in the area. Many places offer kayak rentals where you can rent the kayak for a few hours and go on a self-guided tour, and there are also kayak tours where you are led on your kayak by a guide.
You may be wondering, which one is right for you? If you?re unsure of whether you should rent a kayak or take a guided kayak tour, we compiled a few considerations you should make when making your decision about kayaking.
What is your experience level?
A first question to ask yourself when going kayaking is what experience level and fitness level you are at.
If you are a beginner, you might think it?s better to get a rental and go on your own so you can go at your own pace. However, guided kayak tours are great for beginners!
Your kayak guide will keep it at a comfortable pace for beginners, and most tours are good for ages 6 and up. By having an expert with you, you also won?t have to worry about getting lost and will have someone to inform you of all the proper kayaking regulations and techniques.
We don?t recommend taking a self-guided tour until you are more comfortable kayaking on your own.
What kayak routes do you want to take?
Another thing to consider when you are taking a guided kayak tour is what route you want to take.
Many rental locations are in popular spots like the Gordon River or Wiggins Pass. While these are great places to kayak, they are not the most unique and you may run into many other kayak renters, especially in busy season.
By taking a guided kayak tour, you will get to experience more exclusive routes. Adventure Paddle Tours? guided kayak tours go through Fakahatchee State Park, Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, and Rookery Bay on the most unique routes offered in the area, so you get to see a different side of Southwest Florida not available on a self-guided tour.
Are you going by yourself or with a group?
Taking a self-guided tour is great if you are by yourself (given you have a comfortable experience level) or with a few people. But for groups up to 8, a guided kayak tour is a great experience.
We keep guided kayak tour groups small to be more intimate, but they are still great for families, groups of friends, or even coworkers taking an excursion. Once you get more than 2 or 3 people, it can be difficult to keep everyone together on a self-guided tour, but an expert guide can lead the way for your group and keep you on the right route.
Do you want to see Florida?s native wildlife?
If you want to see the native wildlife of Florida, a guided kayak tour is the right way to go.
Through our unique routes, we allow you to see the animals that reside in Florida?s mangrove forests like alligators, river otters, wading birds, and the Florida manatee.
Adventure Paddle Tours? guides are Florida Master Naturalists that are experts in animals and nature so they can point out the unique animals you encounter. While self-guided kayaking, you might get lucky and see some animals, but it?s much more likely to happen on a guided tour.
Book A Guided Kayak Tour in Naples Today
As you can see, while self-guided kayak tours can be great, taking a guided kayak tour with an expert guide has a lot of unique benefits.
If you are ready to take a guided kayak tour in Naples with Adventure Paddle Tours, book online with us today!
Mangroves & Manatees: Your Guide to Florida?s Top Sights
Kayaking in Naples is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in nature and to get to see a different side of Southwest Florida then the white sand beaches we all know.
When you start talking about nature in Florida, two of the first words you?ll hear are mangroves and manatees. The Florida mangroves are a popular site to see, with several nature preserve areas consisting of mangrove forests you can explore. The Florida manatee is an endangered species native to Southwest Florida that is loved by all.
That?s what makes Mangroves & Manatees kayaking one of the most popular kayak tours to take in Naples. Learn more!
Inside SWFL?s Mangrove Forests
Mangroves are tropical trees that thrive in salty coastal winters with the ebb and flow of the tide. There are 3 types ? red, black and white.
Mangrove forests develop on saltwater coasts, and Florida is one of the only states you can find them. They dominate as coastal vegetation, and once you get off the beaten path of the well-known beaches in Naples, you?ll find the beautiful intricate mangrove forests that make up Southwest Florida?s most popular kayaking areas.
The mangrove forests along the Southwest Florida coasts are one of the most extensive mangrove ecosystems in the world. Fish flock to mangroves, as well as many other animals like loggerhead turtles, birds, and of course manatees - making it a great place to go kayak fishing or simply explore nature.
About the Florida Manatee
The Florida manatee is one of the most beloved creatures, which is a must-see for anyone visiting Naples from out of town. They are even the state?s marine mammal!
Manatee populations have historically been endangered and threatened ? mainly due to boating accidents where they get injured or killed by boat propellers. Kayaking is a great way to see manatees and explore their natural habitat without damaging it or threatening their lives.
Manatees love mangroves, they use them for food and a quiet place to rest and raise their young. When kayaking through the mangrove forests, you?ll often encounter the Florida manatee. Because of their docile nature, you can often get close and see them floating or playing in the water or snacking on sea grass.
Take A Guided Kayak Tour Through the Mangroves (and Maybe See Some Manatees!)
The best way to navigate through the mangrove forests and get up close and personal with a manatee is to take a guided kayak tour led by an expert guide.
Adventure Paddle Tours top-rated Mangroves & Manatee Tunnels Kayak tour is a 3-hour tour out of the Port of Islands Marina ? tucked between Everglades National Park, the Ten Thousand Island Nation Wildlife Refuge, Big Cypress National Park, the Picayune Strand, and Fakahatchee State Preserve.
This unique route is surrounded by mangrove forests where our Florida Certified Naturalist Guide can lead you to unbeatable opportunities to spot manatees, alligators, river otters, and more.
To take a guided kayak tour with Adventure Paddle Tours, book online with us today!
Top Reasons to Kayak Naples, Florida
Naples, Florida is a popular vacation destination in Southwest Florida known for award-winning white sand beaches and luxury shopping and dining. Thanks to the great weather we experience year-round, another great thing to do when you are visiting the area is to explore the outdoors and see the natural ecosystems Southwest Florida has.
While the miles of beaches along the coastland are always popular, there?s more to see in Naples than that. If you are vacationing in Naples, there are also natural gems waiting to be explored further inland ? and you can get a unique experience exploring the unmatched beauty of Florida?s wildlife by kayaking!
For All Ages & Exercise Levels
One of the great things about kayaking is that it?s great for your health! Not only are you getting out in fresh air and sunlight, but you are getting an effective, low-impact workout for your core and upper body. You can choose a leisurely paddle or set a more rigorous pace for more intense exercise. This makes kayaking a fun activity for all age groups, so it?s perfect for the whole family when you?re on vacation.
Immerse Yourself in Nature
Just off the beaten path in Naples, you can find some untouched areas of nature to explore. There are several backwater and mangrove forest areas that you can explore via kayak, that you wouldn?t be able to see on a boat or walking trail.
The Ten Thousand Island Wildlife Refuge is located between Collier County and Marco Island and is a protected area of mangrove forest where you can explore and see over 200 species of fish, 189 species of birds, and innumerable plant species.
Another popular spot is Rookery Bay which consists of 11,000 acres of meandering rivers and mangrove forests of protected land.
Meet Florida?s Native Animals
There aren?t many places in Naples where you can get up close and personal with native animal species of Naples. The unique environment of the mangrove forests, which have a mix of saltwater and fresh water, creates an inimitable mix of wildlife.
In addition to the fish and birds you can see while kayaking, you can see loggerhead sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins, the American alligator, and the famous Florida manatee. Because kayaking causes very little disturbance to animals, you're likely to get more up close than you would on a Naples boat tour.
Take a Naples Kayak Tour Led by Expert Guides
The best way to kayak in Naples is to get the full kayak tour experience, led by experienced guides who are Certified Florida Master Naturalists.
Adventure Paddle Tours offers guided kayak tours for small groups up to 8, where your group will be led on the most unique routes in the area by our guides through the Ten Thousand Island Wildlife Refuge, Fakahatchee State Preserve, and Rookery Bay Reserve.
To book a guided kayak tour with us, visit our kayak tour page for more information and book with us today!
Things To Do in Naples, Florida
Are you taking a trip to Naples, Florida sometime soon?
Naples is consistently rated as one of our country?s best vacation spots, best places to retire, and was even ranked as one of America?s Happiest cities for three years in a row. With the beautiful warm weather in Southwest Florida, Naples is a popular vacation spot, particularly in the weekend months.
Whether you are taking a quick weekend trip or escaping the weather up north to spend your winter months down here, there are plenty of things to do while in Naples.
Popular Shopping & Dining in Naples
One of the best things to do in Naples is to enjoy the variety of dining options. There are over 700 restaurants in Naples, with a variety of cuisine ranging from casual to fine dining. There are also many great places to go shopping, and with the year-round great weather, we have many popular outdoor areas where you can shop and dine.
A popular spot in Naples is 5th Avenue South, which is in the heart of downtown Naples. Here you can find fine dining options like Ocean Prime or Trulucks, casual cafes, ice cream shops, and more. Whether you?re looking for a fancy dinner, casual happy hour, or a quick lunch, you can find somewhere here. Most restaurants have outdoor seating, the area is walkable and there are also shops and entertainment options around.
Another popular dining option in Naples is Celebration Park. The new spot, which opened in 2018, is the perfect place to enjoy a casual night in Naples. It features a range of popular local food trucks like Dilly?s Seafood and Gigi?s Gourmet, as well as a full bar with outdoor seating. They also have happy hour, daily drink specials, and live music.
Finally, there is Mercato in North Naples. This is a popular spot for shopping, dining, and nightlife in Naples. Restaurant options range from fine dining to casual. Silverspot movie theater is a great spot to catch a movie and enjoy the full kitchen and bar.
Outdoor Things to do in Naples
Dining and shopping are great things to enjoy in Naples, but what really sets it apart from other vacation destinations is enjoying the great weather with beautiful outdoor activities.
Naples is most known for its beautiful beaches which are often ranked among the best beaches in the world. With 16 miles of shoreline, there are many different access points where you can park and walk to the beach and enjoy the soft white sand, clear waters, and ocean air. Popular beaches include the Naples Pier, Vanderbilt Beach, and Clam Pass.
Other attractions in Naples include the Naples Botanical Gardens, where you can explore 170 acres of preservation land and cultivated gardens; or the Naples Zoo, where you can see giraffes, big cats, lemurs, and more.
If you?re looking to get the most out of the outdoors in Naples, one of the best things to do will be to take a guided kayak tour in Naples.
Take A Guided Kayak Tour in Naples, Florida
A great way to make the most of your vacation, enjoy the outdoors, and experience the beautiful scenery that Naples has to offer is to take a guided kayak tour through the mangroves.
Adventure Paddle Tours offers expertly guided kayak tours through the East River Fakahatchee State Park, Rookery Bay, and Port of the Islands Marina.
The tours are great for beginners, ages 6 and up, and give you the opportunity to explore the mangroves and see animals like manatees and river otters. For small groups of up to 8 guests per tour, our award-winning guides will lead your group and help you get the best experience of Florida?s natural ecosystem.
To take a guided kayak tour with Adventure Paddle Tours in Naples, book online today!
Planning a Weekend Trip to Lake Dillon
Looking for the perfect weekend getaway in Colorado this summer? Lake Dillon is located in the heart of Summit County Colorado, which is just over an hour away from Denver, making it the perfect location to escape to the mountains for the weekend and enjoy the warm summer weather.
As local experts in the area, we have the ultimate guide to the steps you need to take to plan the perfect weekend trip on Lake Dillon.
Find Lodging
Before you take the weekend trip to Lake Dillon, you have to find a place to stay for the weekend.
If you want to experience things like a local, try to find an Airbnb or VRBO around Summit County ? there?s many options for condos or homes that you can rent out, with a variety of numbers of bedrooms depending on the size of your group.
If you don?t want to go that route, there?s a number of hotels in the area ranging from cheaper motels if you want to keep it simple, to luxury hotels if you want a more high end experience. Because summer is a busy season in this area, we recommend booking in advance to get the best deals.
Packing List
If you?re just taking a weekend trip, you can pack light, but there are a few essentials you don?t want to forget. Summer temperatures are usually predictable, but thunderstorms can come through in the summer, so it?s important to pack layers and have all the fundamentals you need for you outdoor adventures.
When it comes to clothing, you want to make sure you have everything you need to brave the outdoors depending on the weather.
We recommend packing hiking shorts, short sleeved shirts, long pants, long sleeve shirts, a waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes, broken in hiking shoes, bathing suit, sunglasses, and a wide brim hat.
Of course, you want to bring all your normal toiletries like toothbrushes, deodorant, and shampoo and conditioner, but don?t forget a high SPF sunscreen, lip balm, aloe lotion, and bug spray. Some electronics essentials to bring are a camera to document your adventures, a flashlight, extra batteries, an external phone charger.
Plan Your Weekend Activities
Our latest blog post outlines some of the best activities for you to do on Lake Dillon. Some of the things you can do include a fishing trip, sailing lesson, camping, hiking, mountain biking and more.
Because your time is so limited on a weekend trip, we recommend sitting down with your group and putting together an itinerary of the activities you want to do while your there. Decide the top things you want to do and book the activities in advance so your plans are set, and you can make the most of your weekend trip.
Book A Guided Kayak Tour with Adventure Paddle Tours
Kick off your weekend trip on Lake Dillon by taking a guided kayak tour through the Dillon Reservoir with Adventure Paddle Tours!
We offer a range of guided kayak tours that can fit different size groups and different experience levels. Our guides are also experts in the area that can give you a true local experience and can give you recommendations on more things to do and see around the area. Book a tour today to get the best Lake Dillon weekend experience.