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!

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
• Eco-educational Kayak Fishing Tours
• Kayak Instructional Classes
• Night Sky Astronomy Kayak Tour

Click here to for the GTM-NERR online Nature Store!

Pellicer Creek Kayak Tour

Faver-Dykes State Park is a beautiful park that has gone undiscovered by much of the general public.  As a state canoe trail, Pellicer Creek is surely one of the most beautiful creek systems in northeast Florida. Faver-Dykes State Park is made up of a diverse landscape with a hardwood forest bordering the tidal marshes along Pellicer Creek.  Pellicer Creek is an"OFW"(Outstanding Florida Waterway) nestled in 25,000 contiguous acres of pristine natural Florida and is fed by the Matanzas Inlet, one of the only natural inlets on the east coast of Florida.  Possible interactions may include dolphin, river otters, manatee, and an abundance of beautiful birds.

Within the Park are pinelands, hammocks, swamps, bayheads, and marshes. This variety of plant communities accounts for the abundant wildlife here. The peaceful and tranquil setting of this biologically rich area offers the unhurried visitor an opportunity to relax, reflect, explore, discover and wonder.  Enjoy beautiful panoramas of the Princess Place Preserve.  On this kayak tour, you will experience the inhabitants of the creek, the vegetation and the array of different water fowl that flock here. We will also enjoy unobstructed views of one of the largest Bald Eagle nests in North Florida.  This is real Florida from the unique perspective of a kayak. The tour fee includes entry to the park, so please feel free to explore the park even further after the tour is over. Space is limited, so sign up early to ensure your spot.  $50 per person (includes all kayaking equipment, photos from the tour, guide service, and park entry fee)

Directions

The park is about 16 miles south of St. Augustine off of US1. Take Interstate 95 to exit #298 which is US 1. Go north on US 1 for 300 yards and turn right on Faver-Dykes Road. Go 1.5 miles on Faver-Dykes Road to Faver-Dykes State Park. There is a small sign for Faver-Dykes State Park.  Watch for the sign and turn in between the two fruit stand gas stations. The price for the tour includes your admission into the park so just drive in and follow the signs to the boat ramp. Please be at the boat ramp 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time. The address for the park is 1000 Faver Dykes Road, St. Augustine, Florida 32086

Relax, Refresh, Recharge and take a trip back in time to find that natural balance that drives us all!

    It is not your usual "fall back into your coworkers arms to gain trust or paddle around some orange cones" kind of program. We call it the "Indians of the Estuary". The Timucuan people were in this area for 5000 years before us and we use their ways to inspire people and to bring together groups in a natural outdoor classroom. Our team of professional certified naturalists takes groups kayaking and engage them in many different primitive skills that include fire building with a drill and a bow, palm fiber weaving, and throwing of the atl-atl. Emphasis will be placed on small groups working in synchronicity with fellow coworkers to achieve goals to bring about awareness of self and group importance. Participants will easily find new energy in the natural balance that was very much part of the native life here in Northeast Florida. A catered lunch may include many different local delicacies including organic hearts of palm salad and prickly pear sorbet. Most of all, the program is designed to take people far from their perceived realities and breath some positive energy into their daily rigor. We can accommodate groups from 4 to 60 participants. We guarantee that our dedicated staff will provide the finest in natural interpretation, quality equipment, and the most competitive pricing available for any group outing with rates as low as $30 per person. Standard eco-team building programs are also available. All packages include photographs taken by your guides!

Because of our unique partnerships with the best environmental organizations in the area, we offer two exciting destinations for these programs:

1)  The GTM-NERR at Guana River in Ponte Vedra near Jacksonville, Florida

      Just south of Jacksonville Beach, the Guana River offers the best kept natural area found throughout Northeast Florida.  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."  Beautiful lagoons, 11 miles of upland hiking trails, pavilions, and an $8 million dollar environmental educational center make this the ultimate retreat from the hustle-bustle of big city!  Because we are partners with the Friends of the GTM NERR, all participants will receive free admission into the Environmental Educational Center and a percentage of all proceeds from the eco-team building event goes towards funding the research, education, and stewardship of the GTM NERR!

 2)   The Marineland Dolphin Conservation Center

      Located just south of St. Augustine Beach, Marineland is surrounded by 35,000 contiguous acres of pristine Florida coastal habitat that is only accessible by kayak!  This natural estuary combines many islands with the tidal flow from the Matanzas Inlet, the only natural inlet on the east coast of Florida!  An abundant population of Atlantic Bottlesnose Dolphin frequent this area and amaze and delight all that venture into their natural habitat.  The islands make for a great stopover for team building and a catered lunch.  An interpretive walk on one of the only rocky beaches in Florida or through the River to the Sea Preserve can be a great addition to any team building package.  And, of course, all participants will receive complementary passes to the Marineland Dolphin Conservation Center to witness this incredibly beautiful facility with 13 dolphins and an amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean!

Anastasia State Park Kayak Tour: Come explore the coastal estuary from the St. Augustine Lighthouse Park.

Salt Run, with it's close proximity to the St. Augustine Inlet, has an abundance of marine life including the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin. 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.  This serene coastal lagoon is sheltered from the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean only by the majestic white quartz sand dunes.  Enjoy only the sounds of the waves and birds just outside of historic downtown St. Augustine.  Take a step back almost 500 years and enter the Oldest City via the original natural inlet.  On the sunset tours we then watch the sunset over the historic St. Augustine Lighthouse! Reservations required. Cost is $45 per person.

All tours for Anastasia State Park will launch from the St. Augustine Lighthouse Park, just across the street from the St. Augustine Lighthouse. The St. Augustine Lighthouse Park address is 442 Ocean Vista Ave, Saint Augustine, FL 32080. Coming over the Bridge of Lions from downtown St. Augustine, follow Anastasia Blvd. and turn left on Red Cox Dr. just across the street from the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. There is a little sign that says Lighthouse Museum. Then turn right at the Lighthouse and you will see us waiting for you on the beach in between the boat ramp and fishing pier. Please do not park in the lot for the Yacht Club. There is ample parking at the park. Please be at the launch point 15 minutes prior to the scheduled tour time.

Kayak Fishing with Hobie "Pro-Angler" Pedal Drive Kayaks!

Enjoy the serenity only attainable in a kayak while learning how to sustainably kayak fish in one of the finest estuaries in Florida, the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve! Come see why kayak fishing is one of the fastest growing sports in Florida and learn fishing conservation from a Florida Master Naturalist using proper catch and release techniques  to minimize impact and to protect our fisheries for future generations. 1/2 day trips including fully equipped Hobie "Pro Angler" pedal-drive kayaks for hands free fishing, all high quality rods and reels, appropriate bait and tackle, and photographs of the catch are $125 for one person or $200 for two people so bring a friend.  This is a private charter with only 2 anglers and a guide! All participants must have a current Florida Saltwater Fishing License available at www.myfwc.com.  Call for availability or check our kayak tour calendar for the right tide with access to either the Guana River GTM-NERR or the Pellicer Flats from Marineland.

Eco-Educational Programs at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

What are Eco-Educational Programs? As we define it, they are programs that teach about the interaction between living things and their environment. Whether you get there by kayaking, walking or riding makes no difference, the goal is still the same.

A movie made by customers from our tour at Washington Oaks!

 This two-hour program will introduce you to the world of birding and kayaking. Come with us and explore the estuary behind Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. See first-hand why this ecosystem is important to our community and how it directly impacts you're life. And, if nothing else, just enjoy the leisurely paddle through one of the most beautiful landscapes in northeast Florida.
Along the way, we will be looking for migratory and resident birds, fish populations and the most common plants found in the estuary. You'll learn about how they interact with each-other and their environment to maintain a balance. You'll also learn about the things that can upset that balance.

Kayaks make a great vehicle for studying nature. Because of their stealth, you can become immersed in your surroundings without being intrusive. We will paddle stable, double kayaks that also allow us to maintain a smaller group size. Basic kayak instruction is provided, therefore, previous experience is not necessary.
The tours will launch from Washington Oaks and be lead by a professional guide from Ripple Effect Ecotours. The tour fee includes entry to the park, so upon completion of the tour, feel free to roam the beautiful gardens.
Cost: $45 per person (includes all kayaking equipment, instruction, park entry fee and bottled water).
Duration: 2 hours.
Who: Adults 12+ years of age.
Where: Meet at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park.
Dates & Times: Please refer to our calendar for dates and times.
What to bring: Spare change of clothing, water shoes, sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses,
camera and binoculars.

See what you are missing....

Paddle back in time and discover the life ways of the Timucuan Indians and their relationship to the land that they loved. Explore with a professional naturalist and enjoy stories about the Timucuans and the important role the Matanzas Estuary played in their everyday lives. Participants will begin the tour with a visit to a Timucuan Shell Mound at Washington Oaks Garden State Park, where they will have the opportunity to view and learn about authentic Timucuan tools and artifacts from the state park's collection.
After exploring the Shell Mound participants will begin the kayaking segment with some basic paddling instructions, and then proceed to explore the estuary in search of flora and fauna that was significant to native survival. The guide will also share information on Timucuan methods of fishing and transportation.
Along our journey we will stop at an island refuge and visit a Timucuan encampment and learn more about Timucuan clothing, shelter, hunting and fishing techniques, tools, weapons and the native foods that helped sustain them. During this program we will paddle stable double kayaks that allow us to be less intrusive to the environment. No kayak experience needed!

Cost: $60 per person (includes all kayaking equipment, instruction, park
entry fee, lunch and bottled water)
Duration: 3 hours
Who: Adults 12+ years of age
Where: Meet at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
Dates & Times: Please refer to our calendar for dates and times.
What to bring: Spare change of clothing, water shoes, sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses,
camera and binoculars.

Directions

Washington Oaks is about 20 miles south of St. Augustine straight down A1A just 2 miles passed Marineland. The park is very well marked with signs when approaching from the north or south. Turn west into the park entrance and look for the parking lot that says "For the Gardens". After parking walk back across the road that you came in on and follow the pedestrian footpath "To the Gardens". This path will bring you down about 100 yards passed the visitor's center and you will see us waiting for you on the waterway. The price for the tour includes your admission into the park! Please be at the launch point 15 minutes prior to the scheduled tour time. The address for the park is 6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd. Palm Coast, FL 32137.