Paddle a clear tandem kayak on a 2-hour self-guided wildlife search
2 Hours
Life jackets, paddles, dry box
Explore Big Hickory Island at your own pace on a 2-hour clear tandem kayak rental. Paddle coastal waterways with maximum visibility for viewing sea life as you look for wildlife habitat along the shore.
Tandem kayaks fit two adults. Weight limit is 425 pounds per boat and 250 pounds per seat. Do not drag the kayak or load beach gear such as chairs, large coolers, or umbrellas.
Full refund with 24 hours notice. If you do not give 24 hours or more notice you will only receive a 50% refund. Full refund in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. No-shows will be charged the full price.
Arrive 15 minutes before your start time for a mandatory safety overview.
The tandem kayak fits two adults. The weight limit is 425 pounds per boat and 250 pounds per seat.
Bring a hat, sunglasses (polarized recommended), sunscreen, bottled water, and water shoes (oyster shells can cut your feet).
Big Hickory Island Mangroves and Waterways
With a perfect track record across well over a thousand reviews, this kayaking outfitter has clearly mastered the art of creating memorable water experiences. The guides, particularly Nick and Hannah, earn consistent praise for being knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely passionate about sharing the local ecosystem. Guests love that Nick captures photos and videos during tours so everyone can stay present and enjoy the moment. The clear kayaks are a popular draw, and excursions often include stops at Big Hickory Island for beachcombing and shell identification. What really stands out is how the guides tailor experiences to different skill levels and ages. First-time kayakers feel comfortable and confident, while those with more experience appreciate the depth of ecological information shared about mangroves, wildlife, and marine life. The relaxed, professional atmosphere makes it work for families, couples, and groups alike. Several international visitors have also had great experiences, showing the operation's ability to connect with all kinds of travelers.
I had such an amazing time with Paddle Naples doing their sunset tour. Nick was our tour guide, and he was so fun to be around. He was quick to identify all forms of wildlife surrounding us on our tour. We had gone to Audubon earlier that day after an airboat tour, and we saw SO much more wildlife on this trip in Bonita Springs. We saw tons of wading birds, jellyfish, fish, and even a dolphin. Nick did a phenomenal job explaining the area and the environment. We loved the explanations of the different shells while we went shelling and of the animal behaviors whenever we spotted something. The views of the sunset were seriously unreal. We’ve been watching the sunsets from our room at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, but it didn’t compare to being on the sandbar right as it was happening. It was a very special experience that we will remember for the rest of our lives. Plus, we’ve got many photos and vids that Nick Airdropped to us us, so I could really be in the moment and not be on my phone so much. I had this tour rescheduled two times because of inclement weather with the thunderstorms, and I’m so glad that the third night worked out! We got lucky. Kurt was super helpful in getting the booking rescheduled and communicating with me about the changes. I’m really glad we made time to go on this tour instead of doing a sunset cruise on a boat. I highly recommend doing one of the tours with Paddle Naples 🌅
Faith S
July 3, 2026
I had such an amazing time with Paddle Naples doing their sunset tour. Nick was our tour guide, and he was so fun to be around. He was quick to identify all forms of wildlife surrounding us on our tour. We had gone to Audubon earlier that day after an airboat tour, and we saw SO much more wildlife on this trip in Bonita Springs. We saw tons of wading birds, jellyfish, fish, and even a dolphin. Nick did a phenomenal job explaining the area and the environment. We loved the explanations of the different shells while we went shelling and of the animal behaviors whenever we spotted something. The views of the sunset were seriously unreal. We’ve been watching the sunsets from our room at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, but it didn’t compare to being on the sandbar right as it was happening. It was a very special experience that we will remember for the rest of our lives. Plus, we’ve got many photos and vids that Nick Airdropped to us us, so I could really be in the moment and not be on my phone so much. I had this tour rescheduled two times because of inclement weather with the thunderstorms, and I’m so glad that the third night worked out! We got lucky. Kurt was super helpful in getting the booking rescheduled and communicating with me about the changes. I’m really glad we made time to go on this tour instead of doing a sunset cruise on a boat. I highly recommend doing one of the tours with Paddle Naples 🌅
Faith S
July 3, 2026