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Kayak Tour Don Pedro Island

Paddle through canopy mangrove areas on the Don Pedro Island Kayak Tour. This trip is located in Placida. Which is a small fishing village between Englewood and Boca Grande. Discover wildlife like dolphin, manatees, birds, and live shells. 

Kayak Tour Don Pedro Island

The beginner friendly Don Pedro Island kayak tour is 2 to 2.5 hours in duration. This kayaking trip explores the marine life that surrounds the island. Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve is an abundant habitat. Common sightings include, coastal birds, sea stars, lightning whelks, dolphins, and manatees.

Don Pedro Island Kayak Tour Route

The kayaking tour route is dependent on tides, and wind conditions. Therefore, each trip varies slightly. Some tours may visit the on-site mangrove tunnel or the beach side of Don Pedro Island. If you have a preference, please call us as we can discuss dates, times and tides to offer you the optimal experience for your group. Every kayak tour is a new adventure! What will you discover on yours?

What’s Included:

  • Kayak Equipment
  • Life Vests (Properly Fitted for all sizes)
  • Paddles
  • Dry Bags
  • Bottled Water
  • Tour Guide

What’s Not Included:

  • Tour Guide Gratuity
  • Entrance Fee to Don Pedro Island State Park ($3 per car)

What can you expect on Don Pedro Island Kayak Tour?

Every Don Pedro Island Kayak Tour launches from the state park. Discover adventure while kayaking through a mangrove forest. A kayak tour allows you to explore the waterways of Lemon Bay and Kettle Harbor. This area is abundant with sea stars, hermit crabs, dolphins and manatees. SUP Englewood offers many kayak tour options, such as group tours, private tours, mix of paddle boards and kayaks for groups as well as kayaking options for corporate events and large kayak tour group options. Learn more about the services offered at the Don Pedro Island Location

Kayak Launch Location in Placida, FL

Contact Us

Address: 8450 Placida Road Placida, FL 33946

Open: Wednesday to Sunday 8 AM to 5 PM

Reservations Required. Please call ahead or book online for same day reservations

Call: 941-26KAYAK | 941-265-2925

Email: Contact@supenglewood.com

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#1 Kayak Tour Provider for Don Pedro Island

At SUP Englewood, it’s our goal to ensure that you have the best experience possible. We are a locally owned and operated company. Founded by a native of Englewood, FL. SUP Englewood has a long standing reputation as a commercial kayak tour operator and has launched tour groups at Don Pedro Island State Park since 2012. Find hundreds of reviews across popular platforms such as Trip Advisor, Yelp, Google, Facebook and more. We are proud to announce that SUP Englewood received the 2022 Trip Advisor’s Travelers Choice award.

We had a great time with SUP Englwood. The experience was fun, informative, and our tour guide was the best. We loved it so much we went back a second day... great job!

Don Pedro Island Beach photo of dunes and cabbage palm

Scott R. Google Places

Our tour guide was knowlageable, funny and kind. The tour was incredible and fun! Kayaks were in good shape and all materials were good quality. Well worth the money!

Dolphins are frequently spotted on kayak eco tours

Amanda B. Google Places

Great Guides! Nicole knew absolutely everything there was to know about the area and wildlife. It was relaxing and our family felt very safe navigating the waterways with them. We will be back next year and book again with SUP Englewood. Absolutely, great experience! Thank you!

hermit crabs can steal the spotlight

Rhiannon L Google Places

Don Pedro Island Kayak Tour FAQ's

Do I need reservations?

Yes, reservations are required for all kayaking tours.

  • All kayak equipment is loaded down to the water by our staff
  • Reservations allow for a smooth check-in process when you arrive at the park
  • Please let us know about any equipment changes as soon as possible.

How much weight can a kayak hold?

Singles Kayaks hold up to 350 pounds.

Double Kayaks can hold up to 550 pounds. These kayaks can be modified for a single paddler.

Do you have age restrictions?

SUP Englewood takes pride in offering family-friendly services. All ages are welcome and we provide the following guidelines to ensure that everyone has a positive experience.

 

Children under 50 pounds

  • We recommend using one of our tandem kayaks and having your child sit in the middle of the kayak
    • Paddling a tandem kayak without enough weight in the front of the kayak can be physically exhausting.
    • We have two styles of tandem kayaks, duos and quartos. Both support up to 550 pounds
      • Duos fit up to 2 adults and 1 child in the middle
      • Quattros fit up to 2 adults and up to 2 small children in the middle

Children under 12 years old 

  • We recommend tandem kayaks for children in general, this is especially true for children under 12 years old
  • Kayaking is a physical activity and requires endurance to complete the tour

What if my child insists on kayaking independently? 

  • We recommend a private tour

What if I book a single kayak for my child and arrive for the group tour? 

  • If possible, you will be offered a tandem kayak for you and your child.
    • This depends on equipment availability and timing.
    • You can decline this option
  • You will be provided a tow rope to assist in towing your child in the event your child becomes fatigued
    • This is much harder than paddling a tandem kayak with your child
    • In the event of an actual emergency on the water our tour guides must be able to swiftly react and use their equipment for water rescue.
    • Our tour guides cannot be slowed down by towing a healthy individual during a guided eco tour.

Other considerations: 

  • The heat in Florida can be overwhelming, especially when doing a physical activity
    • Consider picking an earlier time
  • Sometimes young children do better with shorter times on the water
    • Private tours are a good option for some families
  •  Packing a small cooler filled with snacks and favorite drinks is helpful
Other Kayak Tour options
  • Private Tours
    • Perfect for families with younger children that are looking to see the most wildlife and paddle at their pace.

What's the difference between a tour and a rental?

Kayak tours

Allow you to experience the Don Pedro Island State Park like never before! Here’s what you can expect:

  • All tours are led by certified Florida Master Naturalists
  • Tour guides are environmental educators and provide fun facts along the way
  • Expect to see more wildlife and have up-close experiences with smaller marine life such as sea stars, conch shells, hermit crabs and other species.
  • Learn about ways that you can help local conservation efforts
  • Tour guides maintain a safe paddling ratio of 1 guide to 8 participants
  • All staff is certified in CPR, First Aid and trained in water rescue
  • Perfect for all ages and skill levels

Kayak Rentals

Kayak rentals are perfect for people that want to venture out on their own. Here’s what’s provided to go solo. Paddlers must be able to return independently to the kayak launch starting point. Also recommended for paddlers without medical conditions.

  • Maps of the paddling area
  • Dry Bags
  • Safety overview of boat lanes and laws of the waterways
  • Paddling orientation for first timers
  • Highlight of things you may see along the way

Do I have to pay in advance?

We have 3 options for payments:

  • Book online and pay in advance
  • Book over the phone and pay via an emailed link (pay in advance)
    • Partial payments available for groups that are splitting cost
  • Book over the phone with option to hold a card.
    • The same card must be used for payment
    • Payment is due when services are rendered
    • This makes the most sense for weather concerns
      • You do not have to worry about a refund for weather cancellations

What about weather?

We reserve the right to cancel during the following conditions:

  • Lightning within 15 miles of the paddling area
  • Winds over 15 mph
  • Storms with lightning visible on radar that appear to heading to our direct area
  • Extreme cold