Manatees and Mangrove Tunnels Kayak Tour — 10,000 Islands Wildlife Refuge
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
3 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness required—able to paddle for up to 4 miles and enter/exit kayaks from a beach or dock.
Overview
Slide through mangrove tunnels and into a manatee-safe canal on this small-group kayak tour out of Naples. Expert guides, tidal timing, and a route through the 10,000 Islands give you the best chance to see manatees, otters, and shorebirds in one three-hour paddle.
Manatees and Mangrove Tunnels Kayak Tour — 10,000 Islands Wildlife Refuge
Select participants and date
The morning opens soft and saline: a low sun paints the marsh edges silver, and the air smells like cut grass and old ocean. Guides slip tandem kayaks into glassy water and, with a gentle shove, the group eases through shallow salt marsh where herons stand like slow metronomes. After thirty minutes the flat horizon tilts inward; roots twist into a roof and the channel narrows until you are moving through living corridors of mangrove. Leaves whisper overhead, and somewhere beneath the tannic water a manatee breathes and vanishes again.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Arrive early for the shuttle
The tour includes a short shuttle to the put-in; arrive 15 minutes early to ensure your spot and any household-specific shuttle service.
Respect manatee distance
Stay at least 50 feet from manatees and follow guide instructions to avoid disturbing them—never attempt to touch or feed wildlife.
Pack water and sun protection
Bring 1–2 liters of water, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and polarized sunglasses to reduce glare and protect skin and eyes.
Be tide-aware
The route is tide-dependent; stronger currents at certain tide levels can make paddling harder—listen to your guide and choose morning departures in cooler months.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- West Indian manatee
- American alligator
History
The 10,000 Islands area has long been a coastal lifeway for Indigenous peoples and later became a strategic navigation zone for fishermen and small-boat mariners; modern protections grew from conservation efforts in the late 20th century.
Conservation
Mangroves are protected for their role in storm protection and carbon sequestration—stay in designated channels and follow leave-no-trace practices to minimize impact.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Naples
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Personal flotation device (if you prefer your own)
Guides provide PFDs, but bringing a familiar life jacket can improve comfort and fit.
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protects skin and local marine ecosystems from harmful chemicals.
summer specific
Dry bag (10L–20L)
Keeps your phone, camera, and layers dry while paddling through tunnels and splash-prone areas.
Polarized sunglasses and brimmed hat
Reduces glare for spotting submerged wildlife and shields your face from sun exposure.
summer specific