Tour Talk: Why Guided Tours Make More Sense Than Rentals
Curious about what sets a guided tour apart from your average kayak rental service? Maybe you’re on the fence about choosing a guided tour over a self-led experience? Find out for yourself why many opt for a guided tour of Shell Key Preserve with Get Up and Go Kayaking – Tampa Bay!
Local Knowledge You Can’t Google
While self-guided kayaking can be great for going at your own pace, you aren’t really able to immerse yourself in the ecosystem unless you’ve got extensive knowledge of the area, or have a degree in an environmentally-related field of study. Luckily, our guides have both! On our tours, you’re brought closer to the wild side of Shell Key through wildlife encounters and insightful anecdotes from our knowledgeable team. Our guides have years of experience out on the water, and know what telltale signs to look out for when wildlife like dolphins, manatees, or exotic birds are nearby, giving you the freedom to focus on enjoying yourself. Learning about how the area is influenced by major hurricanes over the years or the history of the islands within the preserve gives you a completely different perspective on Shell Key, and you can ask any questions you may have about the sights without judgement or pressure.
Then, when your tour is complete and you’re not sure what to do next, ask your guide! As locals to the Tampa Bay area, they can easily recommend the best beaches, places to eat, and activities to try while you’re here. Our guides have local knowledge that you won’t find easily just by Googling “things to do”!
Safety & Confidence on the Water
Is it your first time kayaking, or maybe you have kids that want to join in on the adventure? Then let us take the nerves out of exploring! Our guides are not only First Aid and CPR certified, but are also experienced in teaching the basics of kayaking to any first-time paddlers. It’s an added bonus that we launch directly into Shell Key Preserve as well, so you don’t need to worry about trying to haul a rented kayak over to a launch area on the side of the road in the muck. Our guides take care of equipment maintenance and safety checks in between tours, so you can feel confident out on the water no matter your experience level.
Our team also constantly monitors the current and forecasted weather conditions, so you don’t have to stress. Kayaking in an area you may be unfamiliar with can be daunting, even without factoring in Florida’s wild weather! During your adventure, your guide will stay in close contact with our weather monitoring team, making sure that your safety comes first, no matter what. Why risk it in a rental, when a guided tour makes paddling Shell Key stress free?
No Headache, All Adventure
Maybe you have a large group looking to relax out on the water, or you’re planning a special anniversary surprise – why add more planning to your plate? When you book a guided kayak tour, you save yourself the headache of trying to plan the perfect outing – we’ll take care of it for you! Our responsive and professional administrative team is experienced in accommodating a wide range of requests: from family reunions to romantic proposals on Shell Island, we’ve planned it all! Simply reserve the tour on the day and time you want, let us know of any special occasions in a quick comment, and we’ll take it from there. All you have to do is get up and go kayaking!
Our guides are top-tier when it comes to customer service, too. With each guide having a different area of expertise when it comes to the environment, no two tours are exactly alike. The routes we paddle through the Preserve can also vary as your guide adjusts course for the best possible experience out on the water, ensuring that your tour is a memorable one. Our team is more than happy to take photos of you and your crew while you’re exploring Shell Key too, so you can stay in the moment and soak up the fun. Want a cool group photo in the mangrove tunnel, or a photo of yourself making a wish on the Wishing Tree at Shell Island? They’ve got your back! Once the tour is complete, guides will compile your tour’s photos and videos and send them out to you directly. No more worrying about whether or not you captured perfect pictures for your vacation post – you focus on the fun, and our guides will capture the smiles along the way.
Interested in booking a guided clear kayak tour for your Shell Key adventure? Click the link below to book now or give us a call at 727-353-2148. Our team at Get Up and Go Kayaking – Tampa Bay can’t wait to paddle with you!