Mangroves and Manatees - Guided Kayak Eco Tour
Recommended by 96% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Key Largo, USA
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Paddle through the mangrove ecosystem of Tavernier Creek in the Florida Keys on a single or double kayak on this guided tour. Ideal for first-time paddlers, glide in shallow, clear water over sponges, grass beds, and sandy patches. Marine life like turtles, stingrays, dolphins, and manatees can sometimes be spotted nearby.
- Kayak in the mangroves of Tavernier Creek
- Local guide provides instruction and leads the way
- Family friendly activity for all skill levels
- Enjoy a more personal experience with a small group
What's Included
- Local guide
- Kayak - Single or double your choice
- safety gear
- land based instruction
- on water coaching
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 90773 Old Hwy, Tavernier, FL 33070, USA
You meet us at our shop and we launch directly from there! Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to tour start. This will give you time to get prepared for your tour. We make every effort to start on time.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your start time.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Chris_A
Our guide, Brittany, was the best. She was very knowledgeable about the area and very patient. We saw Manatees, a turtle, lots of different fish, green heron chicks, and a great white egret. The turtle was the best! I would very much do this again.
Reviews
4.8
based on 1,366 reviews
Brendle_C, Jun 2026
Beautiful and peaceful paddling your kayak through the mangroves. We saw some birds, crabs, orbe weaver spider, no manatees though. Our tour guide Matt waa so nice and funny!
Anna_K, May 2026
Staff did a great job at prepping us and sent everything we needed to know before hand when we booked. I felt prepared
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi, Anna! We do get a lot of first timers here and want to make sure everyone is as comfortable as possible before getting out on the water!
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review! We hope you enjoyed the rest of your time here in the keys:-)
Daanish_B, May 2026
Saw lots of wildlife and various plants, kayaking through the mangroves was a unique experience, Keith was an awesome tour guide!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your review! Kayaking through the mangroves is definitely a beautiful experience all on its own! We are so glad you saw LOTS of wildlife. What a bonus!!
Thanks again for taking the time to leave us a review! We hope you enjoyed the rest of your stay here in the keys!
Darci_A, May 2026
Our guide was amazing!! So kind, patient and knowledgeable. Was the perfect 1st kayaking experience.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for the kind words! We’re glad your first kayaking experience was such a great one. Our guides work hard to make everyone feel comfortable on the water while also sharing knowledge about the unique mangrove ecosystem and wildlife around us. Hope to see you back out for another adventure soon!
Taylor_B, May 2026
This was the best snorkeling trip I’ve experienced! On top of that, the boat crew and captain were super friendly and personable. They even gave use some great recommendations for restaurants and bars to try.
Response from Host, May 2026
Hi there! I think you may have accidentally posted this review to the wrong business, as we don't offer snorkeling trips or boat charters. We're a kayak and paddleboard eco-tour company here in the Florida Keys.
That said, we're really glad to hear you had such a great experience on the water during your trip to the Keys! If you happen to find the correct company, I'm sure they'd greatly appreciate the review. Hope you enjoy the rest of your time down here!
Camilo_C, May 2026
It was a really nice experience. It was my first time kayaking, so I was a little nervous, but our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful. We got to learn about the mangroves and its fauna.
I highly recommend it.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thanks so much for the review! We're glad your first kayaking experience was a great one. Happy to hear your guide helped make you feel comfortable while getting to explore and learn about the mangroves and local wildlife! Hope to see you bqck again some day!
Michelle_R, May 2026
Did not get to enjoy the tour. 2 tourists fell in at the beginning of our tour. My husband and the tour guide helped them back in their kayak. My husband was full of mud. Once they were put back into the kayak the tour was over. None of the other people in our group stopped to help. They kept going. When we got back there was not even a thank you or an offer for another day to do the tour. Once I got back home I sent a message to the email that I had and was told that “they have a 2 hour cancellation/refund policy in place and that when a guest feels a tour experience was significantly affected, we hear about it immediately so everything is fresh and documented.” Seriously, do you think we made it up. I am very disappointed with their response. They talk about safety, there was nothing done afterwards. We also had 2 people in our group who almost was hit by a boat. They really need to do better.
Andrea_H, May 2026
Mangroves and Manatee kayaking. Wear sun protection and you will have a ball!!! Our guide, Brittany, was fabulous!!! Bring environment friendly mosquito repellent, just in case the mosquitoes are active in the mangroves. Our tour was May 19, 2026, I only saw three mosquitoes. If the wind is blowing, you’ll get a pretty good shoulder workout.. if you need assistance, the guides willingly and able to assist/tow you. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable. Our guide was calm, very informative, watched out for us, and very concerned for our safety! We felt safe the whole time. I would highly recommend this excursion. We happen to be out on a very high tide and did not see manatees, but it is still well worth your time to go kayak through those mangroves! It was an absolutely amazing experience that we will never forget!!!! Thank you Brittany!!!!!!!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your lovely detailed review, Andrea!
Our guides truly enjoy showing our guests a great time out on the water, as well as educating everyone about our amazing ecosystem and wildlife.
We are so happy to hear your group had a wonderful time despite not seeing manatees. We cannot stress enough that wildlife is unpredictable. However, we do our very best to find and point out as much as we can!
Britney will be delighted to hear all of your kind words!
Again, thank you for taking the time to write such a lovely review. We hope to see you again sometime in the future:-)
alice_c, May 2026
This was an okay kayak trip. The mangrove tunnels are tight and have mosquitos. We did NOT see any wild life. We did ,right after , drive to John Pennekamp state park and rented a kayak there. They had beautiful mangroves canals that were wide or tight with lots of manatees and other wildlife. Skip the guide and go on your own.
Response from Host, May 2026
We’re glad you still got out on the water and enjoyed your day in the Keys, but having personally paddled John Pennekamp many times myself, I can confidently say we typically see far more wildlife here overall.
Wildlife is never guaranteed anywhere, including Pennekamp and conditions like tides, wind, water clarity, temperature, and time of day all play a huge role.
As for the mangroves, ours are actual enclosed mangrove tunnels with a true canopy overhead in many sections, not just wider open canals. That’s specifically what many guests come for and what makes this route unique. Mosquitoes can definitely happen at times in the Florida Keys, especially depending on weather and recent rain, which is why we recommend bug spray in all confirmations.
Guided tours also aren’t for everyone, and that’s okay. Some people prefer a self-guided paddle, while others enjoy learning about the ecosystem, wildlife, and navigating the maze of mangroves with a local guide.
Dale_M, May 2026
Guide was very knowledgable
The mangroves were very interesting to kayak through
The kayaking was tough in places against a strong current
Unlikely to see Manatees
Response from Host, May 2026
Glad you enjoyed the tour and the mangroves! As for the manatees, sightings are always unpredictable and depend on conditions like tides, water clarity, weather, and their natural movement patterns — nobody can accurately predict when they’ll show up. We’re always honest that they’re wild animals and sightings are never guaranteed, but we still aim to provide a great overall eco-tour experience.
Carolyn_T, May 2026
Our guide Keith was very knowledgeable and encouraging. We had never tried paddle board before and it was great! Due to noon moon and rough weather, murky water and did not see manatees or big wildlife. Mangroves were really cool to experience. Wear bug spray. Paddle board highly recommended. Was good trip even with the rain cutting our time short.
Response from Host, May 2026
Glad you still had a good time despite the conditions! With the full moon, rough weather, and murky water, wildlife sightings can definitely be tougher some days. Keith does a great job making the experience fun and encouraging, especially for first timers paddle boarders. The mangroves are always a unique part of the trip, rain or shine. And yes bug spray is highly recommended this time of year! Happy to hear you gave paddle boarding a try and enjoyed it!
Mackenzi_P, May 2026
Our guide, Ryan, was very knowledgeable and friendly. Is also an easy going trip and would be good for novice kayakers
Response from Host, May 2026
Ryan does a great job making the tour fun, relaxed, and easy for all experience levels. Glad you enjoyed the laid back pace while still getting to learn about the local wildlife and mangroves along the way! It’s definitely a great trip for both first time and experienced kayakers alike. Thanks again for choosing PADDLE! We hope to see you back again some day!
Melissa_M, May 2026
Matt, our guide, was great! Highly recommend! Took his time, explained how to properly kayak as well as knowledgeable about the local wildlife.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thanks for the great review! We're glad Matt helped make the tour enjoyable and informative. From kayaking tips to sharing knowledge about the local wildlife, he always tries to make sure everyone has a fun and memorable experience out on the water. Glad you had a great time! We hope to see you back again someday!
Pam_E, May 2026
Matt was our guide. He was great very friendly great information. Enjoyed it very much i would recommend it to anyone. i would definitely do it again
Response from Host, May 2026
Matt does an awesome job creating a fun and laid back experience while still sharing a ton of great information along the way. Really glad you had such a good time out there, and we appreciate the recommendation. We'd love to have you back for another paddle sometime!
bahar_h, May 2026
We really enjoyed the kayak tour today. Everything was well organized, relaxing, and fun. Matt was friendly and helpful, and the scenery was beautiful. Thank you for such a great experience — we would definitely recommend it.
Response from Host, May 2026
Really happy to hear you had such a smooth and enjoyable experience out on the water. Between the scenery, wildlife, and peaceful mangroves, it's hard to beat a day like that. We'll make sure Matt hears the kind words as well!
Hope to see back again for another paddle in the future!
Jennifer_W, May 2026
What fun! We did a double kayak and enjoyed paddling through the mangrove tunnel. Our guide Ryan was incredibly knowledgeable about the native plants and animals. We saw a mother and calf manatee right before we set out but none on the kayak tour sadly. It was still so much fun! Some kayak experience is recommended and having a degree of fitness as we went about 2 miles in total.
Response from Host, May 2026
Sounds like you got the best of both worlds! An incredible manatee sighting before launch and a beautiful paddle through the mangroves after! Ryan loves sharing knowledge about the local ecosystem, so we’re glad that added to the experience. And yes, the tour is definitely more enjoyable when guests come ready for a little adventure and paddling. Glad you still had a great time out on the water!
Shannon_B, May 2026
The Mangroves were amazing to see. Our was very knowledgeable and fun! He went above & beyond to try to find manatees for us to see
Response from Host, May 2026
The mangroves really are one of the coolest parts of the Keys, and we're glad you got to experience them! Sounds like your guide was determined to give you the full experience and make the search for manatees part of the adventure.
Appreciate you taking the time to leave such a kind review!
Melanie_L, May 2026
This was a lot of fun but also very peaceful going through the mangrove. We did not see a manatee but I would absolutely do this again
Response from Host, May 2026
Thanks so much for joining us! While manatee sightings are never guaranteed since they're wild animals, we're so glad you still enjoyed the peaceful beauty of the mangroves and had a fun experience out on the water. We'd love to have you back again for another paddle!
James_S, May 2026
This was a fun and relaxing adventure. Saw some birds and fish but, unfortunately not a manatee. Our guide was great and she was very knowledgeable. Great for all levels of experience.
Response from Host, May 2026
Sounds like a solid day on the water!
Even without a manatee, birds and fish are always a nice bonus, and we're glad your guide made it a great experience!
That easygoing vibe is exactly what we're going for out there!
Hope to see you back again some day!
Ovidiu_F, May 2026
You might not see any animals, we didn't. We didn't see any manatees, dolphins, sharks, alligators, crocodiles.
We saw some fish and 2 birds (one cormoran and an egret), but we could have seen those frome the shore as well.
Response from Host, May 2026
I do want to clear up a few points here...
There are no alligators in this area, and while crocodiles exist in the Florida Keys, sightings are extremely rare and not something we advertise or expect to see.
Wildlife like manatees, dolphins, or sharks is never guaranteed, these are wild animals, not an attraction. Wind, tides, and water clarity all play a role in what you may or may not see.
That said, you did mention seeing fish and birds, so it wasn’t “nothing” as stated. Our tours are centered around exploring the mangroves and the experience itself, with wildlife sightings being a bonus.
We do our best to set clear expectations, but at the end of the day, you just can’t please everyone, and we’re okay with that!
Christine_G, May 2026
It was such a great experience with a great guide Ryan! Truly a must do in the keys! Great way to see the islands!
Response from Host, May 2026
Love to hear it!
Ryan will appreciate that!
Glad you got to enjoy the islands the right way Hope to see you out there again soon!
Lauren_M, Apr 2026
Our guide was very informative!! We learned so much about the mangroves!! Highly recommend this excursion!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for visiting and leaving a review! We're so glad you learned so much about the mangroves. They're some of the coolest ecosystems in Florida, but we may be biased! We hope to see you again soon for another adventure.
Barbara_B, Apr 2026
You should have some experience kayaking. Mangroves were interesting to see. The kayak guide was a fun guy. We didn’t see any Manatees but that cannot be guaranteed. We were able to navigate the waterway as a group All in all it was a great trip.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thanks for coming out with us!
Glad you enjoyed the mangroves and had a fun guide. While it can help to have some experience, we cater to beginners as well and make sure everyone is comfortable out there.
It’s also been a bit windy lately, which can make the water more turbulent and reduce visibility for wildlife. We appreciate you understanding that sightings aren’t guaranteed.
Happy to hear it was a great trip overalland hope to see you back out again!
Dana_M, Apr 2026
Finding the place is a little tricky, but once you do, it’s welcoming! Our tour guide Matt was knowledgeable and engaged with our crowd of 40-50 something’s. We were unable to see any manatees ( can’t control nature) but the experience was relaxing and worth it!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thanks for the review!
We’re glad you found us and had a great time out on the water with Matt. He does an awesome job keeping things fun and informative!
And you said it perfectly, manatees are wild animals, so sightings are never guaranteed. Some days they’re everywhere, other days they’re a little more elusive. We always try to be as upfront as possible about that, and we appreciate you understanding.
Happy to hear the trip was still relaxing and worth it! We hope to have you back out again soon!
Ashley_B, Apr 2026
We had a great time on our Mangroves and Manatees kayak tour! Jack was an awesome guide and made the experience enjoyable and easy for all. We didn't see any manatee but we loved kayaking through the mangroves! It was beautiful and Jack taught us a lot.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thanks so much for the review!
We’re glad you had such a fun time out on the water and that Jack made the experience easy and enjoyable. He does a great job keeping things both informative and relaxed.
While the manatees didn’t show up this time, we appreciate you understanding they’re wild animals and not always on schedule. The mangrove tunnels are always a highlight, and we’re happy you got to enjoy how beautiful that part of the Keys is.
Hope to have you back out again soon! Maybe next time the manatees will make an appearance!
Erin_P, Apr 2026
This was such a fun way to get out on the water. Our family of 5 enjoyed the paddle through the mangrove tunnels and learning about the ecology of the Keys. Our teens did great in their single kayaks. Our 10 year old rode in a tandem kayak as it would have been too much for him to do solo. Jack was knowledgeable and made sure everyone was safe & having fun. No manatees but saw a nurse shark along with some cool birds/fish.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thanks so much for the awesome review!
We’re glad your whole family had a great time out on the water! Sounds like the perfect setup with the singles and tandem. The mangrove tunnels are always a hit, and it’s great to hear Jack kept everyone safe while still making it fun and informative.
And while the manatees didn’t make an appearance this time, a nurse shark sighting is a pretty cool trade-off! We appreciate you understanding that wildlife is never guaranteed, and we’re glad you still got to experience some of what makes the area special.
Hope to have you all back out again soon!
Tyler_S, Apr 2026
Jack did a fantastic job. Very friendly and knowledgeable. We had a great time. I’d recommend taking this excursion.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for leaving the stellar review and recommending us to others. Jack is a wonderful guide and always gives his 110%. We hope to see you again soon!
Grace_W, Apr 2026
Be prepared to get a little wet and to paddle through the mangroves. Once into the mangroves, jump off a small swimming hole. We were fortunate to see a manatee in the canals. Otherwise, our guide was friendly and knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for the wonderful review! The swimming hole is one of our favorite stops on the tour, fun for everyone and great to cool off in. Glad to hear you enjoyed the time with your guide, visit us again soon!
Jay_K, Apr 2026
Matt was an excellent guide and the trip through the mangroves was wonderful. Wildlife and sunshine galore.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! We're so glad you enjoyed your tour with Matt and paddling through the mangroves. Visit us again soon for some more sunshine!
Karen_C, Apr 2026
Great time!! Our tour guide Matt was amazing! Even though we did not see Manatee it was an amazing time would do it again!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for leaving a wonderful review! We're so glad you enjoyed your time with Matt, he's a stellar guide. Visit us again soon!
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