Paddle Big Hickory Island mangroves with a guide and included instruction
2 - 2.5 hours
Life jackets, paddles, photos
Join a guided eco tour from Big Hickory Island in Bonita Springs and explore Estero Bay by paddleboard. Get a brief lesson on technique, then paddle into mangroves, inlets, and sandbars while keeping an eye out for local wildlife.
Arrive 15 minutes early for a mandatory safety overview. Tour time is typically 2 to 2.5 hours and varies with group size and conditions.
Full refund with 24 hours notice of cancellation. With less than 24 hours notice, you receive a 50% refund. Full refund if the operator cancels due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. No-shows are charged the full price.
Bring a hat, sunglasses (polarized recommended), sunscreen, bottled water, and water shoes (oyster shells can be sharp enough to cut your feet).
Arrive 15 minutes before departure for a mandatory safety overview.
No. You get a brief lesson on proper paddleboarding techniques before you launch, and the guide makes sure you are comfortable on your board.
Bonita Springs, FL
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