KAYAK TOURS
EXPLORE ROOKERY BAY
Naples Outfitters is proudly partnered with Rising Tide Explorers to provide the best opportunity to explore the wild estuaries of Southwest Florida with REAL LOCAL BIOLOGISTS! As the area’s only 100% biologist guided kayak tour outfit and the exclusive ecotour partner of the Friends of Rookery Bay, you’re adventure will leave you with a new love and appreciation for our wild backyard. Explore winding mangrove tunnels, watch thousands of bird return to a rookery island during a SWFL sunset, and search for wildlife like dolphin, giant marine snails, sea star, urchins, and more on the teeming mudflats of Rookery Bay Reserve with a real local biologist on a family friendly adventure you’ll never forget!
FREE HD PHOTOGRAPHY WITH EVERY TOUR!
Mangrove Tunnels & Mudflats Kayak Tour
The Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is 110,00 acres of mostly undisturbed mangrove tunnels and forests and open water estuarine habitat! Your two and-a-half to three hour guided tour will introduce you to this spectacularly beautiful environment. Your biologist guide is a real local biologist who can share with you the intricacies of this unique ecosystem and help to find amazing wildlife! You will learn about the relationships between the mangroves and all the other wildlife that is wholly dependent on the mangroves in this extremely important natural habitat. Every day is different in the estuary and you may encounter wildlife like dolphin, jumping fish, rays, brown pelicans, cormorants, white ibis, great egrets, snowy egrets, up to six different species of herons, ospreys, bald eagles, giant marine snails, seastars, batfish and more!
Launch Times: 9:00AM & 12:30PM (9AM only May - October)
Location: Capri Paddlecraft Park
Price: $65/person, $55/children under 12
Single & Tandem Kayaks Available
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
Bird Rookery Sunset Kayak Tour
Birds and more Birds! Every afternoon, starting about an hour before sunset, thousands of birds from all over the Rookery Bay area begin returning to one particular island to spend the night. This breathtaking event with the backdrop of a beautiful Southwest Florida sunset is nothing short of amazing with lots of different species to observe and learn about as you enjoy the peaceful calm of the estuary. You can see this all for yourself on our Sunset Bird Rookery Kayak Tour!
As the only trip of it’s kind in the area, no other trip offers you more of a close-up, personal experience as your biologist guide leads you through stunningly beautiful, winding, mangrove trails; Bird-Watching with so many birds at one time during a Sunset Tour! Often, we have dolphins swimming nearby. Witness this spectacular event with a real local biologist for an experience you’ll never forget!
Launch Times: 4:15PM - 6:30PM (varies based on sunset time)
Location: Shell Island Rd
Price: $75/person, $65/children under 12
Single & Tandem Kayaks Available
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED (Available from November - April)
Heart of Rookery Bay KayaK Tour
Depart on an adventure into some of the most quiet and tranquil parts of Rookery Bay Reserve with one of our Biologist Guides! You’ll take a leisurely paddle into the captivating, primitive, meandering mangrove trail wilderness that make the estuary one of Southwest Florida’s most valuable treasures. You will learn about a forest of trees that grows directly from the saltwater sea floor. Your local Biologist Guide will explain why a thriving mangrove estuary is so important to protecting the inland environment and to supporting so many species of wildlife in the open sea. While we can never guarantee appearances of specific animals, paddlers may encounter Manatees, Dolphins, Ospreys, Ibis, Pelicans, Cormorants, up to nine different types of Herons and Egrets, and many species of fish and invertebrates with Southwest Florida’s only biologist guides!
Get out and immerse yourself in the beauty and tranquility of the Rookery Bay Reserve!
Launch Times: 9:00AM & 12:30PM
Location: Shell Island Rd
Price: $65/person, $55/children under 12
Single & Tandem Kayaks Available
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED (Available from November - April)
Rookery Bay SUP Tour
Rookery Bay is one of the last pristine Mangrove forests and is protected by the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. You’ll take a leisurely paddle into the captivating, primitive, meandering mangrove trail wilderness. You will learn about a forest of trees that grows directly from the saltwater sea floor. Your skilled, experienced guide will explain why a thriving mangrove estuary is so important to protecting the inland environment and to supporting so many species of wildlife in the open sea. While we can never guarantee appearances of specific animals, paddlers may encounter Manatees, Dolphins, Ospreys, Ibises, Pelicans, Cormorants, up to nine different types of Herons and Egrets, and many species of fish and invertebrates.
Your guide is also an ACA Instructor so all basic strokes and maneuvers will be taught during the paddle.
All trips are catered to the skill level and desire of the group as well as the waves and weather we have that day.
Kayak Tours Pricing
$65-$75/per Person
$55-$65/Children Under 12
*Children under 12 will ride in a Tandem Kayak with an Adult
We specialize in Small Group Tours! (12 paddlers). With the most qualified guides in the region, you’ll get the opportunity to spend personal time with a real local biologist who has spent their life studying the intricacies of our wild backyard. Go beyond the beach and learn about one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet from the most passionate and knowledgeable guides in the Southwest Florida!
Choose a single or tandem kayak for your adventure. Children under 12-years-old will ride in a tandem with an adult. Duration is 2.5 - 3 hours at a laid back pace, stopping along the way to explore oyster reefs, mangrove systems, and mudflats.
Rookery Bay SUP Tours Pricing
$59.50/per person
Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) Tours are $59.50 per person plus sales tax. Duration is 2.5 hours and is a slow paced laid back nature watch style paddle. Please note that this price does not include gratuity for your tour guide. If, for some reason you do not feel that the guide deserves a gratuity, PLEASE let us know at napleskayakcompany@gmail.com
Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) Tours, which last about two hours, leave at 9am. Generally there is a better chance of a greater abundance of wildlife being on the water earlier as less people on on the water disturbing them.
Reservations REQUIRED
RENTAL REQUIREMENTS
18 Years of age or older
Major Credit Card
A Proper form of ID
A Completed WAIVER
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Synthetic clothing is the best to wear as it dries quickly and breathes well. Sunscreen and a hat are also recommended as the Florida Sun is usually shining. Bringing a bottle of water is also recommended.
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Tours can be done any day of the week. We request that you book your tour at least by 3pm on the previous day so that we can guarantee your guide. If you have a last minute request, give us a call anyway and we’ll try our best to secure you a guide. 239 262 6149
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We accept all forms of payment, including all major credit cards. Our new online booking software makes it easy and secure to book your tour.
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After you have booked your small group tour, you will receive an email confirmation with all details including meet time (30 minutes prior to launch), launch time, directions, digital waivers, and a list of suggested things to bring. Feel free to call the shop and/or the phone number on your confirmation email with any questions!
Directions
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Exit 101, Collier Blvd (Hwy 951), Southbound towards Marco Island Cross U.S. 41 (East Tamiami Trail), continue south past East Naples Fire Station.
From Collier Blvd (Hwy 951), turn west onto Shell Island Road and drive all the way to the end.
From Collier Blvd, turn west onto Capri Blvd and take a right into the entrance to the park just past the intersection of Collier Blvd & Capri Blvd.
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Go to Collier Blvd (Hwy 951), turn South, towards Marco Island.
Continue south past East Naples Fire Station.
From Collier Blvd (Hwy 951), turn west onto Shell Island Road and drive all the way to the end.
From Collier Blvd, turn west onto Capri Blvd and take a right into the entrance to the park just past the intersection of Collier Blvd & Capri Blvd.
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Drive North on Collier Blvd (Hwy 951) across the Jolley Bridge. Turn left at the first light for Capri Blvd.
Make an immediate right turn into the entrance to the park.
Drive north on Collier Blvd (Hwy 951) across the Jolley Bridge. Go through the first two lights after the bridge.
Pass the entrance to Fiddler’s Creek (on right).
Turn left just after Fiddler’s Creek onto Shell Island Rd, and drive all the way to the end.
Why Choose Us?
Serving Southwest Florida since 2004.
Southwest Florida’s ONLY Certified Biologist Guides
Certified Kayak Instructors (ACA), First aid Certified
Ranked #1 on Tripadvisor
#1 Kayak Tour in the USA - USA Today’s 10BEST (2020, 2021, 2022)
A percentage of Tour Proceeds go to support the Friends of Rookery Bay in SupporT of the Research, education, stewardship, and conservation efforts of the rookery bay national estuarine research reserve
Easy online booking
Single and double kayaks available
Easy, beginner friendly kayaks
We are not just a website. We have a main location, just two miles South of Down Town Naples. Have questions about a kayak rental or tour? Stop in and see us at 3570 Bayshore Drive!