I moved to Florida in 2017 and soon joined the Venice Area Audubon Society (VAAS). That’s when my birding took off! Today, I lead birding tours for VAAS, Lemon Bay Conservancy, Peace River Audubon Society and the Venice Area Birding Association. My love for animals also led me to volunteer for Save Our Seabirds in Sarasota. There I spent most of my time in the baby bird room; raising them for release. When I moved from Venice to Englewood, I switched from SOS to the Venice Wildlife Center. First volunteering in their baby bird room and now going on wildlife rescues.
Jeff Gillette
Kayak Tour Guide &
Paddle Board Instructor
Originally from Virginia, Jeff brings
over 12 years of guiding
experience to the waters of
Englewood and Boca Grande. As a
lead eco-tour guide at SUP
Englewood, he combines a deep
understanding of Florida’s unique
coastal ecosystems with a lifelong
passion for paddle boarding. His
tours are more than just scenic
paddles, they’re informational
journeys into the area’s rich
biodiversity, filled with storytelling,
and a calm presence that puts
paddlers of all skill levels at ease.
Jeff is certified by both the World
Paddle Association and PaddleFit,
and he holds credentials as a
Coastal Florida Master Naturalist.
Whether you’re navigating
peaceful mangrove tunnels or
spotting dolphins along the
shoreline, Jeff’s knowledge and
professionalism ensure a safe,
memorable, and inspiring
experience on the water.
On his days off, Jeff can still be
found on the water, chasing waves
on his paddle board when the swell
is right, or losing himself in long,
relaxing paddles through quiet
backwaters. A regular competitor in
SUP races, he brings that same
energy and love for the sport into
every tour he leads
CERTIFICATIONS
