Embark on an awe-inspiring journey through the enchanting mangrove mazes and tunnels, where the secrets of Southwest Florida’s beloved wildlife come to life. With over 150 bird species soaring above, and delightful sightings of manatees and dolphins gracing your path, this adventure promises unforgettable encounters. Explore oyster reefs, traverse mudflats, and uncover hidden bays, often venturing so close to the mangroves that your guide will unveil the captivating world of small inhabitants like the mangrove tree crab and the mangrove periwinkle. Moreover, you’ll have the opportunity to observe and identify remarkable shells, including the renowned horse conch, lightning whelk, sea stars, and urchins, all while your tour guide imparts fascinating insights about this extraordinary ecosystem.
Our tours cater to kayakers of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced enthusiasts, ensuring that every moment on the water is one to cherish. Choose between single and tandem kayaks, both readily available for every tour.
Embark on your daily adventure from the convenient launch point at the Isles of Capri Paddle Park , mere minutes away from the heart of Marco Island. Book your tour now and be prepared for a captivating experience like no other.
Locations that are traditionally used for nesting and raising young birds are called rookeries. At Rookery Bay Reserve, there are nesting areas where most water birds roost nightly in, usually there are multi-species groups on small mangrove islands. The leafy canopy of mangrove trees provides an important habitat for a variety of bird life. The birds that use these mangrove rookeries include several species of Herons, Egrets, Frigate birds, Cormorants, and Pelicans.
Rookery Bay Reserve protects 110,000 acres of coastal lands and waters at the northern end of the Ten Thousand Islands on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve represents one of the few remaining undisturbed mangrove estuaries in North America. An estuary is a coastal body of water, where fresh water draining from land mixes with salt water from the sea. Estuaries are areas of high productivity, providing nurseries for many species of fish, including feeding and resting grounds for local and migratory birds.
The Rookery Bay and Ten Thousand Islands ecosystem are a prime example of a nearly pristine subtropical mangrove forested estuary. The mangrove’s roots provide structure and shelter for juvenile fish. Because the leaves of mangrove trees are constantly being shed, they provide an important food source for aquatic consumers called detritus. Mangrove leaves and twigs that fall into the water attract algae and bacteria, also known as decomposers. These microscopic organisms real down the leaves and serve as food for small invertebrates like worms and crabs, which, in turn, are fed upon by small fish, and so on.
Very popular mammals in these waters are dolphins and manatees. They can be found year-round in the waters of Rookery Bay. The manatee is a slow-moving marine mammal weighing around 1,300 pounds. They typically remain submerged for 3-4 minutes grazing in shallow water on aquatic vegetation.
We depart from Isles of Capri Paddlecraft Park just minutes from Marco Island, located at 1295 Capri Blvd, Naples, FL 34113.
Rescheduling: You can voluntarily reschedule or cancel the tour 48 hours prior to departure at no charge
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