Calendar for Eco-Tours and Events

We offer a variety of eco-tours that will suit a wide range of paddling skills. If you do not see an eco-tour that fits your interests, skills or schedule, contact us and we will build a tour around your desires, ability, and schedule.

Kayaking Tour Self-Assessment:  We are often asked about the suggested level of kayaking experience and skills needed to participate in the Florida Kayak School and Tour’s tours.  We have embraced a chart that was created by the Tampa Bay Sea Kayakers to help answer this question.  This chart will allow our clients to self-assess to determine which of our tours are appropriate for the paddler’s skill-level.  Each tour we offer has the suggested skill-level noted in the description.

Kayaker's Skills Self Assessment Link:

Mini Eco-Tour: 2+ hours on the water. $50 per person.  This price includes the kayak & gear and guide.  Mini Eco-Tours are designed for people who may have never been paddling. Mini Eco-Tour trips are a great way to introduce you to the beautiful areas of North Florida and paddling.  The BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat) price for the Mini Eco-Tour is $40 per person.

Half-Day Eco-Tour: 4 - 5 hours on the water.  $65 per person. This price includes the kayak & gear and guide. Half-Day Eco-Tours are at a leisurely pace, and we take a lunch break about half way through the trip.   Bring your refillable water bottle, snacks and a lunch. BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat) $55.

Full-Day Eco-Tour: 6+ hours on the water. $75 per person. This price includes the kayak & gear and guide.  Typically we are on the water for about 6 hours. Bring your refillable water bottle, snacks and a lunch. BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat) $65.

What to Wear and What to Bring:  Kayaking is a "Water Sport.” The "Water" part of this means that you may get wet.  The "Sport" part means that this activity requires some degree of physical ability, strength and conditioning.  If you are concerned about your fitness for the adventure, feel free to ask for more details about the physical demands of this tour.  Bring with you drinking water, sun protection, and shoes that can get wet.  Also, be sure to dress for the expected weather conditions.  There is often the likelihood of a shower, so always be prepared for the possibility of rain.  You are encouraged to bring a change of clothes. If you are signing up for a Half-Day or Full-Day Eco-Tour, be sure to bring enough food for lunch and snacks.  Your guide will provide a dry bag/box for such personal items as car keys, wallets, etc. 

You must pre-register for eco-tours and events.  In the calendar below review the eco-tour description.  To pre-register contact: Sales@FloridaKayakSchool.com or call 850.445.3236. You may cancel your registration up 24 hours prior to the beginning of the tour.  Should threatening weather be in the forecast, the guide may be forced to cancel the trip for your own safety.

Guiding Services:   If you are visiting the Big Bend area with your own kayak/canoe and gear, a member of our staff is available to help you get the most out of your time in this beautiful and wild area. Our staff is a wealth of information including natural and local history, things to see in the Big Bend area. Hiring a Florida Kayak School and Tours guide promotes safety and allows you get the most out of your Florida adventure.  We know the area and it's flora and fauna, the tides, the currents, the less-traveled routes, beaches, and camping spots.  Our guides can not only alert you to where are the boat-shredding the oyster bars but also the best, local-color bars.    Rates: 3 hr - $150 per guide per party;  6 hr - $250 per guide per party;  Overnight - $300 per guide per party (4:1 guide ratio). These prices are for trips within a 50 mile radius of Tallahassee. Call for information and reservations.

 

Cancellation Policy:

“No refund with less than 24 hours of scheduled event. To receive a refund notification needs to be made more than 24 hours prior to the scheduled event. The Florida Kayak School and Tours reserves to right to cancel the scheduled activity in the event of dangerous weather or other client safety concerns.  In this event, a full refund will be given. Should a client be late to an event they may forfeit the cost of the tour/class/event.”

Save time on the day of your tour or class by downloading the liability waiver; read it, print it, sign it, and bring it with you. Please visit the Instruction page to download the waiver.

 

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2-Hour Paddle Stroke and Kayak Fitting Class

What's so hard about paddling a kayak, right?  That's one of the beauties of the sport.  Just about anybody can sit in a kayak and make it go. However, to adjust your kayak to properly fit you, to use your entire body to power, and steer your kayak with your body and not a rudder requires a deeper knowledge and skill.  Let our staff show you the proper techniques to getting the most out of your kayak, your body, and your time on the water through effective paddling technique. We have had paddlers with more than 25 years of paddling experience totally revolutionize the way that they paddle.  These clients can now paddle farther, faster, with more comfort, confidence, and more safely.

This course is designed for people who already have their own kayaks.  However, should you need a kayak and kit (life jacket and paddle) you have a couple of options.  Option A:  You can use one of our sit-inside kayaks for $35 extra.  This fee is just to cover the handling, transport to the class site, and cleaning.  To make sure that we are putting you in an appropriate kayak we just need to know your approximate weight and height. Option B: You can rent one of the park's sit-on top kayaks for $15 which are at the park and available at a first-come, first-served basis.

This course will be conducted at: Maclay Gardens State Park

There is a fee to enter the park. (Admission Fee: $6.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle. Does not include Gardens entry, January through April. $4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle. $2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.)

Course Fee: $65

Call 850.445.3236 or e-mail: sales@FloridaKayakSchool to reserve your spot