Join a local biologist on a journey through the beautiful estuaries of Southwest Florida in search of unique wildlife as you explore winding mangrove tunnels, oyster reefs, mudflats, and hidden bays.
- Kayak Activities
Other tours
- Kayak Activities
Heart of the Rookery Bay Kayak Tour
- Boat Activites
Sunset Bird Rookery Cruise
- Boat Activites
Essence of the Estuary Eco-Cruise
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Explore Naples & Marco Island with Local Biologists
Rising Tide Explorers gives you the opportunity to experience some of Naples & Marco Island’s most beautiful natural areas with kayak rentals and exciting adventures led by the region’s only team of 100% active local biologist guides. Go exploring on a family friendly guided kayak tour for a paddle into the mangrove tunnels, a relaxing guided boat eco tour to unique and restricted areas of Rookery Bay, and catch sunset at the famous bird rookery island as over 1,000 birds return to their roost for the night, all led by the local biologists who study the areas unique ecology and wildlife.
- #1 Rated Tours, Naples – TripAdvisor
- Best of the Gulfshore 2017-2020 – Gulfshore Life Magazine
- Best Kayaking Tour 2017-2020 – Best of Naples
- #1 Kayaking Tour in the USA – USA Today 10Best
- Marco Island Must Do Activity – MustDo SWFL
- Best Everglades Kayaking – TravellinMad
- Biologist Guided Tours – Coastal Breeze, Marco Island
- #1 Kayak Company in the USA – Naples Illustrated
- Best Things to do in Marco Island, Florida – Southern Living Magazine
- HGTV Smart Home 2021 – Naples, FL – HGTV
Our guides are the real deal. Check out their backgrounds and read about their local research projects on our About Us page!
Launch Locations
Isle of Capri Paddlecraft Park
1295 Capri Blvd.
Naples, FL 34113
Shell Island Road Kayak Launch
1 Shell Island Rd
Naples, FL 34113
Rookery Bay Field Station – Shell Island Rd.
10 Shell Island Rd.
Naples, FL 34113
Get 5% off when you book online!
Enter code “EXPLORE” at checkout for 5% off online bookings. Free photography is included with every tour.
because you can't see Florida from a lounge chair...
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Rated "Excellent" by over 2,500 Visitors!
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Sun Sand and Shells - We had a great Florida afternoon. Our knowledgeable and friendly captain made the day. The shells were amazing.
December 1, 2024Fun for all generations - I found this trip last minute while in Marco for the thanksgiving holiday. My teen daughter and 63 year old mother joined me for the excursion. While there are... read more many options available in this space, I felt lucky to have found the best. Renee and Sierra were beyond knowledgeable and passionate. While they likely perform this same trip day after day, their energy and desire to educate made you feel like a welcomed guest in their home. We were beyond happy with our trip and would recommend to anyone interested in a great kayak trip with education built in. My only point to make would be about the parking. I somehow missed it until we left but there is a payment system to park in the lot. Fortunately I didn’t get a ticket but I assume that was a possibility. They ask you to come 30 min early but give yourself 35 to figure out the parking too.
December 1, 2024Great Marcos Adventure - We thoroughly enjoyed our paddling time in beautiful Rookery Bay. Evan our guide did a great job sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for a truly special ecosystem. We loved seeing... read more all the interesting creatures Evan would find and the hands on opportunity to study them. We saw a starfish, oysters, a blue crab shell, mating horse conchs, a conch egg casing, held a bat fish, saw a baby barracuda and many birds. Our favorite was watching an eagle try to steal a osprey’s catch. We definitely recommend this adventure and will be back with other family members next year.
December 6, 2024 -
Biologists make great guides! - We have been out with Rising Tide Explorers many times. We always get a different guide, who explains something new to us. And part of the fee goes back into... read more Rookery Bay Research Center.
December 9, 2024It is fun to kayak through the mangroves - We love going out with Rising Tide Explorers. They have good equipment and very knowledgeable guides - they are biologists! We have been going with them for several years now... read more and we always learn something new. And part of the fee goes back into the Rookery Bay Research Center. We have a great time every time we go!
December 9, 2024Unique Outing - Rising Tide FL is a great company with excellent pre-tour and post-tour support - very friendly and competent tour company. The all-day outing to Keewaydin Island was unique venturing... read more through the mangrove tunnel. Our tour guide, Evan, is a knowledgeable marine biologist and worked his tail off helping us through the mangrove upon the return during lower tide - he personally towed several kayaks through higher water. Very memorable day !!
December 11, 2024