Kayaking Big Hickory Island: Clear & Tandem Rentals

Paddle through mangrove tunnels and reach a secluded shelling beach on your own time.

Kayak rental in Bonita Springs, Florida lets you explore Big Hickory Island at your own pace with equipment chosen to match the route: clear tandem kayaks for seeing the seafloor, single kayaks for solo paddling, or stand-up boards, all outfitted with carbon fiber paddles, high-rest seats, dry bags, shelling bags and laminated maps. Book a 2-hour, 3-hour or all-day rental and spot dolphins and manatees (April through October) while fishing from built-in rod holders. Water clarity depends on tide and wind. Incoming tides on calm days give the best conditions for clear kayaks.

The experience

Big Hickory Island sits in the Gulf of Mexico off Bonita Springs, and the rental company equips you to explore it without a guide. You choose your kayak type, clear tandem (two-person only, designed so you see through the hull to the seafloor), single kayak, or stand-up paddle board, and your rental length: 2 hours, 3 hours, or all day. Every kayak comes rigged with carbon fiber paddles, a high-rest seat, an Old Town life vest, a dry bag for your phone and keys, and a mesh shelling bag. The laminated map they give you stays yours and marks the best routes through the inlets and mangrove tunnels, plus the location of the secluded beach where shelling is possible.

The water here holds dolphins year-round and manatees from April through October. Your kayak has built-in rod holders if you want to fish. Conditions matter: clear kayaks work best on incoming tides and calm days. Windy conditions or outgoing tides cloud the water even in the Gulf. The rental company will advise on timing when you book. A secluded beach accessible only by kayak gives you a place to land and walk, and the ample storage on the kayaks means you can carry what you need for the time you're out.

You handle the paddling and the route. The company provides the gear, the map and the knowledge of where to go. You decide how long to stay, where to explore, and whether to fish or shell. Free ice is available if you ask. Children from age 1 can come along (in a tandem kayak with an adult), and the rental suits all fitness levels, though the operator notes it is not recommended for people with poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

• Carbon fiber paddle, high-rest seat, Old Town life vest, dry bag, mesh shelling bag, and laminated map you keep.
• free ice on request.

Options for this experience

11 options

2-hour tandem kayak rental13 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:00Duration: 2 hours: Seats two people, Tribe Tandem Kayak

2-hour single kayak rental13 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:00Duration: 2 hours

3-hour tandem kayak rental11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00Two-person kayak hire lasting 3 hours, using a Tribe Tandem Kayak; self-guided.

See 8 more options

Clear tandem kayak, 2-hour rental13 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:00

Single kayak rental, 3 hours11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00Duration: 3 hours

Clear tandem kayak, 3-hour rental11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00

2-hour paddle board13 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:00

All-day tandem kayak rental5 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 11:00Duration: 8 hours

3-hour paddle board11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00

All-day single kayak rental09:00, 09:30, 10:00 and 10:30Duration: 8 hours

All-day paddle board09:00, 09:30, 10:00 and 10:30

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (13 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Child (1 to 12 years)

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomeNot for heart conditions

Operated by Mike's Coastal Expeditions

Is this one for you?Self-guided means you set the pace and the route, which suits paddlers who want to explore on their own without a group schedule. Book a clear kayak if water clarity is good on your chosen day and you want to see the seafloor. Book a regular single or tandem kayak if you prefer a traditional hull or are paddling with a partner.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 12 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between a clear kayak and a regular one for this rental?

Clear tandem kayaks have transparent hulls so you can see the seafloor and marine life below you as you paddle. They come as two-person kayaks only. Regular single and tandem kayaks are opaque. Water clarity in the Gulf varies with tide and wind, so clear kayaks perform best on incoming tides and calm days.

Can I kayak Big Hickory Island if I've never paddled before?

Yes. The rental is self-guided, meaning you paddle on your own without an instructor, but it suits all fitness levels. The laminated map shows you the routes, and the equipment (carbon fiber paddles, high-rest seats and stable hulls) is designed to make paddling manageable. The operator does not recommend it for people with poor cardiovascular health.

What wildlife might I see while kayaking around Big Hickory Island?

Dolphins are present year-round. Manatees visit from April through October. Your kayak has built-in rod holders if you want to fish. The secluded beach accessible only by kayak is a good place to stop and look for shells.

How long does a kayak rental last, and can I choose the length?

You can book a 2-hour rental, a 3-hour rental, or an all-day rental. The rental company offers multiple kayak types and durations at checkout, so you pick the combination that fits your schedule.

What's included in the kayak rental, and do I need to bring anything?

The rental includes a carbon fiber paddle, high-rest seat, Old Town life vest, dry bag, mesh shelling bag, and a laminated map you keep. Free ice is available on request. Bring sunscreen, water and any personal items you want to protect in the dry bag.

Is there a good time of day or tide to kayak for the clearest water?

Incoming tides on calm, non-windy days give the best water clarity, especially important if you're renting a clear kayak. The rental company will advise on the best timing when you book based on current conditions.