Best Kayaking Tour (2020)

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.
Photo courtesy of Rising Tide Explorers

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 Great Turtle Kayak Tours

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 Get Up And Go Kayaking

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 Maine State Sea Kayak

Kayaking SRQ encourages Sarasota visitors to get away from the beach to explore the mangrove tunnels and wildlife of the Gulf Coast. Guided tours journey through the mangrove forests of Lido Key or Siesta Key, where it’s possible to spot manatees, dolphins and a wide range of birdlife.
Photo courtesy of iStock / YinYang

Guests with Pictured Rocks Kayaking get to paddle along the most iconic stretch of Michigan’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Excursions start with a boat trip to the launch site, so you can enjoy more kayaking time near the best scenery. The launch boat follows along during the 5-mile course, so it’s possible to take a break or use the restroom anytime.
Photo courtesy of Pictured Rocks Kayaking

Charleston Outdoor Adventures has an exclusive launching site with easy access to the marshes, creeks, barrier islands and tidal flats just outside the city. Two or three-hour marsh tours offer the opportunity to spot dolphins, wading birds, crabs and other wildlife.
Photo courtesy of Charleston Outdoor Adventures

Hawaiian Paddle Sports leads kayaking tours along the scenic shores of Maui. Spend a day paddling from Makena Landing to Turtle Town, where you can snorkel with green Hawaiian sea turtles, explore the reefs of West Maui or take the challenge of paddling your way to Molokini. All tours include free digital photos, snorkeling gear, marine naturalist guides and the use of stable, easy to paddle boats.
Photo courtesy of Hawaiian Paddle Sports

Small group and private sea kayaking tours with Kayak Adventures Worldwide connect visitors with the spectacular scenery of Alaska’s fjords. Trips range from half-day excursions through Resurrection Bay to week-long, fully-outfitted camping trips into Kenai Fjords National Park.
Photo courtesy of Kayak Adventures Worldwide

Santa Barbara Adventure Company specializes in coastal kayaking tours along the Santa Barbara shoreline, past the undeveloped Gaviota Coast (where it’s possible to spot dolphins and sea lions) or through the sea caves of Channel Islands National Park.
Photo courtesy of Ben Herndon / Santa Barbara Adventure Company