USA TODAY 10Best
Rising Tide Explorers named Best Kayaking Tour Company
Best Kayaking Tour (2021)
Kayaking combines aerobic fitness with the chance to immerse yourself in nature, whether it be the mangrove forests of Florida or the glacial bays of Alaska.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Kayaking Tour Company are as follows:
Photo courtesy of mcpaulk // Getty Images
No. 10: Above and Beyond Alaska - Juneau, Alaska
Above and Beyond Alaska Wilderness Trips provides sea kayaking trips near Juneau, Alaska. Experiences include ocean and mountain views while paddling in Auke Bay, paddling with humpback whales in the Channel Islands, or wildlife and brown bear viewing experiences near Admiralty Island.
Photo courtesy of Sea Kayak Adventures
No. 9: Sea Kayak Adventures
Sea Kayak Adventures, based in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, provides sea kayaking adventures across the globe. Their kayaking trips include familiar locations such as Baja, Mexico, and the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador, but also less famous locations throughout the United States, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean.
Photo courtesy of 4kodiak // Getty Images
No. 8: Desert Adventures - Boulder City, NV
Desert Adventures provides kayaking experiences in and around the Lake Mead National Recreation Area near Las Vegas, Nevada. Beginner and experienced paddlers can enjoy half-or full-day adventures on Lake Mead and the lower Colorado River or longer kayaking/camping events through Black Canyon and the upper Colorado River. Kayak 101 training and more advanced courses are also available.
Photo courtesy of Whidbey Island Kayaking
No. 7: Whidbey Island Kayaking - Langley, Wa
Whidbey Island Kayaking offers kayaking experiences for first-timers to kayaking veterans from their location in Langley, Washington. Guests may be treated to magnificent views of the Cascade Mountains during the day or experience padding by the full moon in the evening. Whale watching in the spring and fall is also a frequent adventure.
Photo courtesy of Great Turtle Kayak Tours
No. 6: Great Turtle Kayak Tours - Mackinac Island, Mich.
Great Turtle Kayak Tours has been leading tours through the waterways of Mackinac Island for more than 20 years. Paddle at sunrise to Arch Rock and the Rock Maze, watch the sunset from Devil’s Kitchen near the Grand Hotel, circumnavigate the island or enjoy a challenging trip across the Straits of Mackinac to Round Island in Hiawatha National Forest.
Photo courtesy of Maine State Sea Kayak
No. 5: Maine State Sea Kayak - Mount Desert Island, Maine
Maine State Sea Kayak seeks to introduce visitors to the “quiet side of Acadia” through guided kayaking tours. Keep an eye out for harbor seals, bald eagles, osprey, crabs, porpoises and sea stars as you paddle along the less-visited backside of Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park.
Photo courtesy of Glass Bottom Rentals
No. 4: Glass Bottom Rentals - Boca Grande, FL
Glass Bottom Rentals provide clear kayak rentals and tours at Boca Grande, Florida. Paddlers can view amazing marine wildlife through the glass-like bottoms of their kayaks. Many guided tour options are available for all levels of paddlers - eco-tours, shelling tours, sunset LED night tours, and more.
Photo courtesy of Green River Adventures
No. 3: Green River Adventures - Saluda, NC
Green River Adventures offers whitewater kayaking experiences and personalized kayak lessons from Saluda, North Carolina. Their Lower Green River adventure is perfect for families and those with more moderate activity levels, while their Upper Greek River experience is geared more for the experienced kayak enthusiasts who are looking for heart-pumping excitement and Class IV rapids!
Photo courtesy of Get Up And Go Kayaking
No. 2: Get Up And Go Kayaking - Florida
Get Up And Go Kayaking uses clear kayaks that allow guests to soak up the scenery around them, as well as under them. Choose from tours in the Florida Keys, Winter Park, Tampa, Rainbow Springs, Crystal River, Vero Beach, Jupiter or Rock Springs.
Photo courtesy of Rising Tide Explorers
No. 1: Rising Tide Explorers - Naples, Fla.
Certified local biologists lead every tour of Naples and Marco Island with Rising Tide Explorers. Paddle through mangrove tunnels and past mudflats in search of Southwest Florida wildlife, or glide through the waters of Rookery Bay Reserve for some spectacular birdwatching.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all the winners on the 10Best list!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor... Read More
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Jeremy Clement
Jeremy Clement is a full time co-founder at Read More
Jeremy Clement is a full time co-founder at Project Expedition, a curated travel platform that offers access to more than 20,000 tours and excursions in destinations around the world. Based in New York City, Jeremy and his team have helped Project Expedition earn a reputation as one of the leading providers of tours and activities among travel advisors. Prior to co-founding Project Expedition, Jeremy spent seven years working in financial data and technology at Bloomberg, with long-term assignments in their New York, London, and Tokyo offices.
Jeremy Clement
Jeremy Clement is a full time co-founder at Project Expedition, a curated travel platform that offers access to more than 20,000 tours and excursions in destinations around the world. Based in New York City, Jeremy and his team have helped Project Expedition earn a reputation as one of the leading providers of tours and activities among travel advisors. Prior to co-founding Project Expedition, Jeremy spent seven years working in financial data and technology at Bloomberg, with long-term assignments in their New York, London, and Tokyo offices.
Lauren Gay
Lauren Gay is the creator of Misadventures of the Read More
Lauren Gay is the creator of Misadventures of the Outdoorsy Diva Blog, host/producer of the Outdoorsy Diva Podcast, published photographer, speaker and CEO of Lauren R. Gay Consulting where she offers professional consulting services for blogs and podcasts, courses, as well as curated group adventure trips. She is a travel writer and social media influencer who is passionate about inspiring and empowering black women to step out of their comfort zones for new experiences in travel and adventure and embracing nature as therapy. Lauren is also a dedicated long time advocate for racial diversity and inclusion in outdoor recreation and adventure travel.
Lauren Gay
Lauren Gay is the creator of Misadventures of the Outdoorsy Diva Blog, host/producer of the Outdoorsy Diva Podcast, published photographer, speaker and CEO of Lauren R. Gay Consulting where she offers professional consulting services for blogs and podcasts, courses, as well as curated group adventure trips. She is a travel writer and social media influencer who is passionate about inspiring and empowering black women to step out of their comfort zones for new experiences in travel and adventure and embracing nature as therapy. Lauren is also a dedicated long time advocate for racial diversity and inclusion in outdoor recreation and adventure travel.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production... Read More
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.