Paddle-Powered Adventures
See Fort Myers from its most peaceful vantage point when you kayak or SUP through scenic coastal waters.
Getting out on the water is one of the best ways to experience the beauty of Fort Myers – and exploring by kayak or stand-up paddleboard gives you access to areas no motorboat can reach. Try one of these themed tours, led by local experts, and you may find yourself transported to a new state of mind where peace prevails and you feel a deep connection to nature.
Sunset Salutations
Ending your day with a sun salutation on the water is bound to bring a sense of namaste. “They call it the magic hour, and it really is a magical time on the water,” says Bryan Stockbridge of Gulf Coast Kayak in Cape Coral. "The neat part about being out on the water at sunset is that you have wildlife that's looking to catch their last meal of the day. We see lots of dolphins. We see birds flying overhead back to their roosting spots for the night." He believes kayaking offers people a unique opportunity to be truly close to the water. "It's a great place for reflection and connection with nature. When the sun is setting, our guides let people enjoy the moment. We don't talk about anything so that guests can just enjoy the peace and the scenery."
Matlacha, @gulfcoastkayak
Bonita Springs, @gru_crew
Wildlife-Watching Tours
Silently and respectfully entering the environments where wildlife thrives, paddlers often experience nature on an entirely different plane. “Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are two of the best ways to see wildlife,” says Wendy Schnapp, co-owner of Tarpon Bay Explorers, the official concession for the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island. “No motors make a paddler’s impact minimal, which makes wildlife much more likely to go about their activities with little attention paid to the quiet observer,” she says. In the refuge’s bay and trail waters, you may see everything from manatees and dolphins to fish, live shells and coastal birds such as ibises, herons and white pelicans.
North Fort Myers, @paddlingpelicanbay
Mangrove Tunnels Tours
Enclosed in a serene and verdant world, gliding inside a mangrove tunnel feels a bit like you’re inside nature’s cathedral. “Paddling through a mangrove tunnel is like being transported to a different place and time,” says Stefan Kuenzel, owner of Kayak Excursions, the recreation concession for San Carlos Bay - Bunche Beach Preserve in south Fort Myers. “There aren’t many places where you can experience the wonder of mangrove tunnels, but lucky for us, Bunche Beach is one of those special places with a whole network of them.”
Mangrove forests form tunnels when the trees arch over narrow creeks and waterways. The tunnels provide the ultimate in still-water kayaking, allowing you a chance to see unique creatures such as yellow-crowned night herons and mangrove crabs.
Cultural Tours
Like the ancient Calusa, modern-day paddlers can explore this region – and along the way, discover stories of the past in an area once considered sacred.
“We talk about the Calusa on every one of our tours, whether we’re on the river – named the Caloosahatchee in their honor – or looking at a lightning whelk shell they used to make tools, or paddling around Pine Island, where they had a strong presence,” says Connie Langmann, owner of GAEA Guides, which offers a variety of themed paddling tours. “It adds a whole other aspect to the nature experience.”
Don’t be surprised if a dolphin, manatee, or bald eagle shows up to guide you on your journey like a mystical spirit animal.
Lovers Key State Park
Kayak Fishing Tours
Why not combine two of our favorite local water sports into one outing? “Southwest Florida is the perfect place for kayak fishing, with acres of protected grass flats, slow-moving passes and little tidal creeks that only kayaks can access,” says Captain Justin Stuller, co-owner of Estero River Outfitters. “It really is a kayak fishing paradise!” Pedal kayaks are well-suited to fishing in either salt or fresh water. Stuller recommends hiring a kayak fishing guide for their knowledge of local waterways, seasonality, and more.
The Great Calusa Blueway
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind Fort Myers experience when you paddle some of the nearly 200 miles of The Great Calusa Blueway. This beautiful aquatic trail winds through the Intracoastal Waterway, the Caloosahatchee River and narrow creeks from Cayo Costa south to Bonita Springs’ Imperial River.
For Blueway coordinator Mike Hammond, its magic connects you directly with both nature’s beauty and local heritage. “As soon as you hit the water, you’re part of nature,” he says. “You’re part of the history of the Calusa, old fish camps and islands. It’s like living an episode of the Nature and History channels combined.”
Visit our Great Calusa Blueway page for helpful resources to plan your adventure, from trail maps, top stops, and safety tips to routes for novice paddlers and more. There’s even a Calusa Blueway app.
Sanibel Island
Interested in a paddling excursion, but have mobility challenges or special needs? Ask local outfitters how they can accommodate you. For example, Gulf Coast Kayak in Cape Coral operates from a location with an ADA-compliant launch system and will store a guest's wheelchair while they're out on the water.
Check out all kayak outfitters offering tours and rentals throughout Fort Myers.
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