Kayaking Tours - The Ripple Effect guides offer over 15 years of paddling experience way off the beaten path!

Eco-explorer Boat Expeditions- the "Ripple Effect 1" utilizes water-jet technology for the safety of marine mammals and runs on vegetable oil

- a sustainable, renewable, and recycled fuel source!

Now taking online reservations!

Just select a tour from the lists on the side of this page and proceed to the checkout process, or for specific dates with tour descriptions and pricing click on this link:

"Ecotour Calendar"

Ripple Effect is proud to be partnered with:

Kayak and Boat Tours from the Town of Marineland - the most beautiful and natural coastal habitat in Northeast Florida!

In our continuing effort to provide the best eco-educational experiences in Northeast Florida, Ripple Effect Ecotours has partnered with the Marineland Dolphin Adventure and the University of Florida's Whitney Lab. This  partnership combines an incredible foundation in research, 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 and boat tours in this beautiful coastal system.  Don't miss this opportunity to visit the dolphins of Marineland and also the chance to witness their natural habitat in the Matanzas River Estuary. All from the low-impact, unique perspective of a kayak or on our new vegetable oil powered Eco-Explorer boat tours!

Click Here for Marineland Kayak Tours pricing, reviews and more information!

Raising the standard for ethical and sustainable ecotourism, Ripple Effect Ecotours, now offers an outdoor classroom experience in our new boat, the "Ripple Effect 1".   This very capable vessel exceeds all expectations of what type of vessel can be used to traverse the very sensitive and productive coastal habitats here in Northeast Florida.  Powered by an engine that actually runs on recycled vegetable oil collected from nearby restaurants, the "Ripple Effect 1" utilizes a sustainable, renewable, and recycled fuel source that creates a 50% reduction in carbon emissions.  And, yes, the exhaust smells like a restaurant so don't come hungry!   Sensitive habits frequented by marine mammals require extra care to be taken by ecotour boat operators and the "Ripple Effect 1" utilizes water-jet propulsion and with no exposed propeller providing the ultimate in safety for both our guests and the very healthy population of marine mammals that thrive here!  Join Ripple Effect Ecotours for an incredible experience with  our USCG captains and Florida Master Naturalist Instructors on this unique eco-educational exploration.  The Cost is $50 for adults and $40 for kids 15 and under includes free passes to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure where the educational experience continues!

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 one of twenty-eight National Estuarine Research Reserves 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, as well as many other documented species. Most of all this area provides a real glimpse into what real Florida has to offer in abundance of shear beauty nestled between civilization to the north and south. 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!

Kayak Tours offered at Guana:

• Guana River Estuary
• Family Kayak Tours for ages 6 and up!
• Lake Guana from the dam
• 6-Mile Landing Lake Guana
• Indians of the Estuary
• The Zen Kayak Tour
• Sunset Tours every weekend
• Full Moon Kayak Tours
• Kayak Instructional Classes
• Night Sky Astronomy Kayak Tour

Real Florida 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 and the professional guide service. We are a dedicated ecotour  company based in St. Augustine, Florida. We offer eco-educational kayak tours and Eco-Explorer boat tours. Our headquarters is located at the Town of Marineland Marina which is poised on 40,000 acres of pristine coastal habitat that is only accessible with knowledgeable guides with years of experience in the backwaters.  All of our trips are two to three hours and no prior  experience is necessary. We provide the finest and newest equipment that the kayaking industry produces, professional kayak/naturalist/captain guides, and the opportunity to see Coastal Florida waters in their natural state. For the more ambitious ecotourist, 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

Our Guarantee 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:

Kayak Tours:

All of our kayak trips are designed for beginners from ages 6 to 80 (give or take a few).  Sunset kayak 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 only 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!

Boat Tours:

Appropriate for all ages!  Our unique ecotour boat, The Ripple Effect 1, is the only vegetable oil powered ecotour boat in Northeast Florida and is designed to take you and your family into areas that are not suitable for kayaking, such as the Matanzas Inlet, the only natural inlet on the east coast of Florida.  We only take 6 guests on our expeditions even though our vessel will seat 10.  There is plenty of room and very comfortable seating for all.  Also, people with mobility concerns will find that this particular boat design offers a walk in and walk out door making boarding effortless.

Making Reservations:

We have real-time online reservations that guarantee your seats even when booking the day of the tour.  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.  After registration you will receive an email confirmation from our website and a receipt from our payment processing.  Please call for any group or child discounts.