LED Kayaking in Bonita Springs: Pedal Through Mangroves at Sunset

Pedal effortlessly through glowing mangrove tunnels while dolphins and manatees surface around you.

Guided LED kayaking in Bonita Springs where you pedal or paddle a Hobie Mirage kayak through mangrove tunnels, the Gulf of Mexico shallows, and Estero Bay while searching for dolphins and manatees. Guide Mike leads the 2.5-hour sunset trip, captures photos of wildlife sightings, and lights your return journey with LED glow. You choose between a tandem kayak (two paddlers) or a single, and the trip includes life jackets, dry bags, and ice-cold water.

The experience

You arrive at the Bonita Springs launch and meet Mike, who runs the operation himself. The kayaks are Hobie Mirage Drives, pedal-powered instead of paddle-only, which means your legs do the work through a hand-free propulsion system while your hands stay free to balance, photograph, or just take in the mangroves. You can switch between pedaling and paddling whenever you want. The pedal drive makes it possible to move through currents and cover distance without the constant arm work a traditional kayak demands.

The route winds through mangrove tunnels first, where the water narrows and the trees close in overhead. From there you head into the Gulf shallows and then into Estero Bay, a shallow estuary where dolphins, manatees, and wading birds congregate. Mike knows the area and the wildlife patterns. He'll point out what's moving and what to watch for. As you paddle or pedal, he's also shooting photos (of the birds, the dolphins if they surface, the manatees if they show, the light on the water), so you get images of the trip without managing a camera yourself. The sunset happens while you're out on the water, not on a schedule but as part of the natural rhythm of the evening. On the return, Mike switches on the LED lights mounted on the kayaks, turning the mangroves and the water into a glowing landscape for the paddle back to the launch.

The trip runs 2.5 hours total. Life jackets and dry bags come with your kayak. Mike provides ice-cold water throughout. You'll want to choose your kayak type at checkout: the tandem seats two adults (or one adult and a child under 12), while the single is for one. Either way, you're doing the propulsion yourself (pedaling or paddling at your own pace) rather than sitting while someone else rows or motors you around.

What’s included

• Life jackets and dry bags for each paddler.
• ice-cold water throughout the trip.
• complimentary photos taken by Mike of wildlife and the sunset.
• your choice of tandem or single Hobie Mirage pedal kayak.

Options for this experience

2 options

Single-pedal LED GLOW HobieGuide in English · 18:30

Hobie Tandem Pedal LED GLOWGuide in English · 18:30

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

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Thursday and FridayDeparts at 18:30

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (13 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 90 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Mike's Coastal Expeditions

Is this one for you?Choose the tandem if you want to share the experience with a partner or bring a child under 12 who can't paddle independently. Pick the single if you want to control your own pace and propulsion without coordinating with another paddler. Either way, the pedal drive lets you cover more distance and navigate currents without the fatigue of constant paddling.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

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.

Can I kayak in Bonita Springs if I've never paddled before?

Yes. The Hobie pedal drive system is designed to be intuitive, and you can switch between pedaling and paddling to find what feels natural. Mike guides the group and adjusts the pace to the group's comfort level. Kids as young as 3 can join on a tandem kayak with an adult.

What happens if I want to paddle instead of pedal the whole time?

You can paddle the entire trip if you prefer. The kayaks have both options, so you choose how to propel yourself. The pedal drive is there if you want to give your arms a break or move through currents more easily, but paddling is always available.

Will we actually see dolphins and manatees?

The trip is timed for sunset when dolphins and manatees are active in Estero Bay and the Gulf shallows. Mike knows where they typically feed and rest, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. When they do appear, Mike photographs them so you have the memory even if you miss the moment.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

Life jackets, dry bags, ice-cold water, and complimentary photos are all included. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and clothes you don't mind getting wet. The LED lights are built into the kayaks, so you don't need to bring anything for the return journey.

How does the LED lighting work on the way back?

Each kayak has LED lights mounted on it. Mike turns them on for the return paddle after sunset, illuminating the mangroves and water around you so you can navigate safely and see the nocturnal wildlife that emerges in the evening.