Bonita Springs: Clear Kayak Island EcoTour & Shelling Bags

4.95

(153 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

Li handed us the laminated map with a grin, tracing her finger over the tangled blue lines. “You’ll want to keep right at the first fork—trust me,” she said. I nodded like I understood, but honestly, it looked like spaghetti to me. The air smelled sharp and salty, and there was this faint sunscreen tang from someone else’s hands on my paddle. We shoved off from Bonita Springs into water so clear it felt like floating above an aquarium—at least for the first stretch before it clouded up (Li warned us about that, so no big letdown).

The clear kayak felt lighter than I expected—carbon fiber paddles really do make a difference, even if you’re not a pro. We drifted under low mangrove arches where everything went quiet except for the drip of water off our paddles and a distant laugh from another couple trying to pronounce “manatee” in Spanish. A pelican crash-landed nearby; I nearly dropped my phone trying to snap a photo. There was a moment when we just stopped paddling and let the current pull us, sun warming our backs, nothing but the sound of water slapping against plastic.

Somewhere past the third inlet (I think?), we found this tiny beach only kayaks could reach. The sand was gritty and full of shells—I still have one in my pocket that rattles around every time I walk. We used the mesh shelling bags they gave us; mine ended up mostly full of broken bits but I didn’t care. On the way back, we passed a couple fishing off their tandem—apparently there are rod holders built in? I didn’t try fishing but kind of wish I had now.