Spend a day in the great outdoors and explore Lovers Key on a guided eco-tour. Join a guide and a small group to paddle through the mangrove forests, keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife like dolphins and manatees. Learn about the area’s history of Native Americans and Conquistadors as well as the local ecology from your tour guide.

All necessary equipment and instruction is provided
See more on a guided tour than you would on your own
A small group means more attention from your tour guide
Choose from a kayak, paddleboard, or canoe to suit your needs

What's Included

Single and tandem kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards. Life vests, backrests, and paddles.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

8720 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931, USA
Lovers Key South entrance/Main entrance. second entrance on right if coming south (from fort Myers beach way) First entrance on left if going north (from Bonita beach way.) Big sign ‘Carl Johnson/Lovers Key state Park’ drive into park through ranger station then first parking lot, gift shop-9am.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Lovers Key State Park

2 hours 15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps

Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Samantha_B

This was a great experience, our guide was knowledgeable about all that we saw. You could see has a deep passion for nature and it was nice learning more about the wildlife of the water. I’d definitely recommend this is as a must do when visiting the FMB area.

Reviews

5.0

676 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 676 reviews

Just do it, beautiful park!

Lisa_H, Mar 2024

We had a wonderful time on our kayak/SUP tour. Our tour guide Karen had a great sense of humor, got to know all of our names, and even helped assist our grandfather for a short time when he needed a little towing. Karen will certainly ensure you have a great time. We got to see Manatees several times in the estuary, osprey that were fishing, and many other wildlife. Thank you Karen!

Amazing kayak trip!

Alexandra_P, Mar 2024

This was an amazing experience! Our tour guide Stephen was great, he really made the day special. We learned a lot and had an awesome time.

Amazing- fun adventure! A MUST SEE- go early!!

Amy_D, Mar 2024

Steven was an amazing tour guide! He was so knowledgeable about the loc eco-system. He filled us with facts and showed us fun specimens from the mangroves. It gave everyone a deeper appreciation for the importance of the mangroves. Kayaking was so fun and not difficult- the water was calm and we moved slowly through the channel. Manatees we’re abundant in these waters and every got an up close view of the majestic creatures. The BEST tour- DO NOT choose another tour- pricey but absolutely worth it!!

Great experience

Christine_K, Mar 2024

Karen was a great tour guide for the kayaking trip. Very knowledgeable about plants, birds, etc. Would definitely recommend

A once in a lifetime experience

SueEllen_H, Mar 2024

We went on this excursion and were not disappointed. Our guide, Steve, was knowledgeable about the wildlife and the environment and took the time to point out several things that we might not have noticed. We got to pick if we wanted a double or two single kayaks. We did see several manatees and one came up to our kayak and hung out with us. We named him Marty. Marty was showing my husband lots of love by breathing on him and by pushing our kayak along. He came right up to us and stayed for quite a while. We moved on and learned about the mangroves and then we paddled into the Gulf. We saw several native birds and more manatees. It really was a lot of fun! I was nervous as I had never kayaked before but I would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone. Even kids would enjoy this. Well worth the money and time! Would do this again!!!

Karen was a very good...

Sally_Y, Mar 2024

Karen was a very good guide. We saw a mama manatee and her calf right away and then saw them again later

Awesome!!

Tom_S, Mar 2024

Awesome relaxing trip. Saw manatees and lots of birds. Our guide Karen was awesome and is very knowledgeable on the area and animals. You can tell she loves her job.

Karen the champion guide

Paul_V, Mar 2024

It was a great trip with Karen. She was very informative, entertaining and down to earth. Karen did what she summon the wild life for us. It was a great time.

Kayaking adventure

Deborah_P, Feb 2024

Nice morning on the water. Steve was knowledgeable and we had a great time. Highly recommend this tour.

Insider knowledge

Sarah_P, Feb 2024

Stephen’s knowledge of this particular area of the estuary is unmatched. He showed us pregnant shrimp, a spider crab, a baby flounder, several birds, manatees, a rundown of the different types of mangrove trees, etc.

We’ll definitely be back!

Abbie_S, Feb 2024

We had so much fun, saw so many manatees & learned so much about the local habitat! Karen was so knowledgeable & we can’t wait to go again.

Do it!

MaryJo_B, Feb 2024

The eco tour was amazing. We had a tandem kayak and had a great time learning about the estuary and the come back this preserve is making. We saw birds and manatees which was a huge bonus. Our guide, Karen, was patient, knowledgeable and funny. I couldn’t recommend her and this tour more.

Great tour! Great Guide!

Jane_C, Feb 2024

We had a beautiful afternoon on the water. Our guide was great! It was a wonderful and informative experience. We'll definitely be back to paddle at Lover's Key again!

Wonderful Kayak tour

Kim_T, Feb 2024

Beautiful day, good guide and the manatees were amazing. This is our 2nd time going out at Lovers Key and the beauty of our surroundings were breathtaking and relaxing

A fun afternoon in the estuary

Tom_S, Feb 2024

We kayaked through the estuary with Karen and had a great time! We saw many manatees even a couple grazing on mangrove leaves. Karen was very knowledgeable on the habitat as well as the wildlife. We were able to see Iguanas, Herons, Ibis, and Pelican up close. We enjoyed talking with Karen and enjoyed the trip! Definitely recommend this:)

Amazing

Ellen_W, Jan 2024

Had a wonderful time. Guide, Karen was extremely knowledgeable and made the tour fun. The manatees were amazing to see. Highly recommend taking the tour.

We had a great time! Our...

Chloe_D, Jan 2024

We had a great time! Our tour guide was very informative and personable :) 10/10! I dont have any more to say but the website wont let me submit without "saying more"

Great Experience!

Jennifer_B, Jan 2024

We didn’t see much wildlife due to weather, but Karen was awesome and we loved our time on the water! We will do it again when we have more family come to visit. Thank you!!

Great fun and also informative!

Krista_L, Jan 2024

We had such a great time on this tour! Steven was really knowledgeable and interesting - he knew so much about the area and the plants/animals we encountered. Speaking of, we saw manatees, iguanas, tons of birds, crabs, shrimp, and other fun things. We were with two kids (7 and 11) who shared kayaks with their parents, and then two others who had their own kayaks. Steven was able to keep everyone on the tour engaged. It really was so much fun!

Living Life!

Jayne_N, Nov 2023

Karen was amazing and very knowledgeable. We had a great time. We felt like we had the grand slam we saw Manatees, Dolphins, Iguanas and all kind of birds and she told us what they all were Great Blue Herons, Blue Herons, Osprey and many more. Thanks for a great trip! We also laughed alot which is always good!

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