Welcome to St. Augustine's "Real" Environmental Outfitter!
Kayaking explorations of the 60,000+ acres of the GTM-NERR National Estuarine Research Reserve
Now taking online reservations!
Just select a tour from the list on the right side of this page and proceed to the checkout process, or for specific dates with tour descriptions and pricing click on this link:
Kayak Tours at the Marineland Dolphin Conservation Center
In our continuing effort to provide the best eco-educational kayaking experiences in Northeast Florida, Ripple Effect Ecotours has now partnered with Marineland and the University of Florida's Whitney Lab. This new partnership combines an incredible foundation in reaserch, education, conservation, and natural interpretation with unique access to the southern boundary of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM-NERR). This is the perfect central location to explore the Jordon and Mellon Island Sites that are part of Faver-Dykes State Park, The Princess Place Preseve, and the Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve. This biologically rich area has been described as "the cornerstone behind the nomination of the Matanzas River as the 25th National Estuarine Research Reserve of the United States". This is where the Matanzas Inlet, one of the only natural inlets on the east coast of Florida, collides with one of the most pristine, undeveloped streams in Florida, The Pellicer Creek. We are excited to offer comprehensive ecological and cultural kayak tours in this beautiful coastal system. Tours are $50 per person and include admission into the Marineland Dolphin Conservation Center, guided tour, and photos taken by your naturalist guide! Don't miss this opportunity to visit the dolphins of Marineland, including several calves born this past year, and also the chance to witness their natural habitat in the Matanzas River. All from the low-impact, unique perspective of a kayak!
The GTM Reserve Kayaking Tours at Guana River near Ponte Vedra and Jacksonville, FL
Voted Best Place to Kayak by Folio Weekly for 2007, 2008 and 2009!
"Located just off A1A south of Ponte Vedra Beach, Guana remains an environmental treasure of epic proportion."
Formerly known as Guana River State Park, the GTM NERR is the 25th National Estuarine Research Reserve in the United States. This designation assures one of the best natural systems in the country. The Friends of the GTM NERR and Ripple Effect Ecotours have partnered to offer extensive eco-educational opportunities exploring the ecological diversity of the GTM NERR. The coastal estuary offers incredible views of nesting bald eagles, possible encounters with Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin and the West Indian Manatee, and a real glimpse into what real Florida has to offer in abundance of shear beauty. Our touring kayaks are the perfect vehicle for exploring one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet in a low impact and environmentally friendly way leaving behind only Ripples!
Come explore the coastal estuary adjacent to the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Anastasia State Park. Salt Run, with it's close proximity to the St. Augustine Inlet, has an abundance of marine life including the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin. Relax and enjoy the sound of the Atlantic Ocean's crashing waves just on the other side of the white sugar sand dunes as we paddle this serene coastal lagoon. Blue Heron, White and Glossy Ibis, Roseate Spoonbills, Wood Storks and many other birds fly a short distance to Salt Run from the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, which has the largest rookery in North Florida. Only footsteps from the historic district in St. Augustine, let us take a step back almost 500 years and enter the Oldest City via the original natural inlet, and then watch the sunset over the historic St. Augustine Lighthouse! Reservations required. Cost is $45 per person. Offered every day! Please call for availability.
Real Florida Kayaking Adventures
Imagine yourself drifting through the coastal estuary surrounded by sand dunes, beautiful birds, dolphins, manatee, and plenty of oxygen to fuel your imagination and spark your curiosity. Welcome to Ripple Effect Ecotours. This is our daily ritual. Nature provides the beauty and we provide the vehicle. We are a dedicated kayak touring company based in St. Augustine, Florida. We offer eco-educational kayak tours in many of the state parks in Northeast Florida including: Faver-Dykes State Park(Pellicer Creek), Anastasia State Park, Washington Oaks State Park, and at the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve(Guana River). All of these trips are two to three hours and no prior kayaking experience is necessary. We provide the finest and newest equipment that the kayaking industry produces, professional kayak/naturalist guides, and the opportunity to see Coastal Florida waters in their natural state. For the more ambitious paddlers, we can customize a private tour for your exact needs whether it be relaxation, education, fitness, birding, or just a gathering among friends.
Hope to see you on the water soon,
Chris Kelley, President
The Important Stuff!
Our Guaranty and Promise:
If, for any reason, you feel that Ripple Effect Ecotours does not make every effort within the natural realm of possibility to make your experience safe, comfortable, informative, and enjoyable, then your next trip is free. Please keep in mind that nature is forever changing and we can only guarantee that all of our trips are in the most serene and productive estuaries in the area allowing us ample opportunity to see all that is natural in Florida. Although we encounter turtles, dolphins, manatee, and over a third of the nations 600+ species of birds, we wouldn't dare sell them to you! What we can promise is a great escape from the hustle-bustle of the Old City and the best natural experience that you will have in St. Augustine!
No Experience Required:
All of our daytime trips are designed for beginners from ages 6 to 80 (give or take a few). Sunset tours are for ages 12 and up. Each tour begins with instruction for kayaking technique and safety. After ten minutes most feel quite comfortable and efficient. We have taken thousands of people kayaking and never once has one of our tandem expedition kayaks flipped over on one of our tours! Still concerned? Trust us! Each of our experienced guides is equipped with a waterproof cell phone with live weather radar to track any weather in the area ensuring safety and comfort allowing them the opportunity to customize each tour considering the current weather conditions!
Making Reservations:
We have real-time online reservations that guarantee your seats even when booking the day of the tour. This is not an email wish-list that is commonly found on websites! Just select a date from the "Ecotour Calendar" where descriptions and pricing are shown and easily register for any tour. Please take into consideration that the scheduled tours on our calendar represent the best time for each specific location considering tides, wildlife, prevailing winds and natural beauty. We do not "shovel" our patrons in and out from the same urban tour location day after day. After registration you will recieve an email confirmation from our website and a receipt from our payment processing. Please call for any group or child discounts.
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www.RippleEffectEcotours.com
St Augustine, Florida Tel: 904-347-1565 Email us
The Ultimate "Green" Holiday Surprise! Whether it is a kayaking ecotour for the whole family, or an eco-fishing adventure for Dad, Ripple Effect Ecotours gift certificates available with just a click!
