Guided Nature Tours

Guided Nature Tours

 Will Reopen Monday October 21st!

*See Schedule for Up-to-date Days and Times*
Image of the evening cruise at Tarpon Bay Explorers

Nature & Sealife Cruise

Due to Damages Caused by Hurricane Ian, the Nature & Sealife Cruise will be Unavailable until Late 2025 Enjoy a naturalist led, covered pontoon boat cruise around Tarpon Bay. Learn about Tarpon Bay’s rich Mangrove Estuary ecosystem and get an up-close look at wildlife. The first half hour includes Touch Tank aquariums. You will hold […]

Breakfast Nature Cruise

Due to Damages Caused by Hurricane Ian, the Breakfast Cruise will be Unavailable until Late 2025 This tour is for the early riser. Experience one of the most beautiful settings on Sanibel. While a naturalist elaborates on Tarpon Bay’s pristine ecosystem, you can sip on hot coffee and chow down on freshly made Bailey’s General […]

Image of the breakfast cruise at Tarpon Bay Explorers
Image of sunset cruise at Tarpon Bay Explorers

Evening Nature Cruise

Due to Damages Caused by Hurricane Ian, Evening Cruises will be Unavailable until Late 2025 Join us as the sun goes down on a cruise to the rookery islands. Be there as hundreds of birds swoop in to roost for the night and witness evenings that Sanibel is famous for. The diversity of birds is […]

Kayak Trail Tour

 Kayak Tours Wednesdays & Saturdays @ 10am *Reservations Required* “Tarpon Bay is one of the top ten places in the nation to paddle” ~Canoe & Kayak Magazine The Kayak Trail Tour is a wonderful introduction to Tarpon Bay and the coastal environment. Visitors will kayak with an experienced naturalist through the mangrove forest along Tarpon […]

Image of kayakers on the kayak trail tour at Tarpon Bay Explorers
Image of the sunset rookery paddle tour at Tarpon Bay Explorers

Sunset Rookery Paddle

Will Resume November of 2024 (subject to change) “Tarpon Bay is one of the top ten places in the nation to paddle” ~Canoe & Kayak Magazine This is truly a birders’ delight. Join us as the sun goes down and dozens of birds swoop onto Tarpon Bay’s Rookery Islands to roost for the night. This […]

Low Tide Kayak Tour

 Low Tide Kayak Tours will resume by Mid-Oct 2024 (Subject to change) Have you ever been told how shallow Tarpon Bay is? Have you ever heard that low tides are great for birding? Lay the rumors to rest on Tarpon Bay Explorers’ Low Tide Kayak Tour! Explore the bay when most wouldn’t with an experienced […]

Image of wildlife on the standup paddleboard tour at Tarpon Bay Explorers
Image of a standup paddleboard at Tarpon Bay Explorers

Stand Up Paddleboard Tour

Rentals Available! *First Come, First Serve. NO Reservations* Walk on water with an experienced naturalist on a stand up paddleboard (SUP) through Tarpon Bay. This tour is for all skill levels and launches directly from our location. The first portion of the trip begins with a lesson from your certified guide and naturalist. Beginners will […]

Wildlife Refuge Tram Tour

Due to Hurricane Milton, Tram Tours are Temporarily Suspended Until Wildlife Drive is Repaired *Reservations Recommended, See Calendar for Exact Dates* “Being on Wildlife Drive without a guide is like watching the Discovery Channel with the volume turned down.” – Tour guest Our experienced naturalists can help you spot wildlife most visitors would never see. […]

Image of refuge tram tour tour at Tarpon Bay Explorers
Image from the touch tank at Tarpon Bay Explorers

Touch Tank Exploration

Due to Damages Caused by Hurricane Ian, the Touch Tanks will be Unavailable until 2024 Explore what lives beneath the waters of Tarpon Bay by coming to our aquarium and Touch Tanks. Learn all about the benthic ecology of the bay by getting a hands-on experience with live shells, sea stars, oysters and much more. […]

Free Deck Talks

Tentatively Suspended Join a naturalist for a FREE lunchtime talk on the deck at Tarpon Bay, one of the most beautiful setting on Sanibel. Programs include intriguing insights into the ecology of dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, alligators, sharks and more!   Did You Know? …Manatees are strict vegetarians that may eat up to 10% of […]

Image of a manatee spotted near Tarpon Bay Explorers