Big Hickory Island is the primary launch site for kayaking in Bonita Springs. From there, you can explore the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve, mangrove tunnels, and sheltered back bays. Mike’s Coastal Expeditions (MCE Tours) operates guided kayak tours from County Rd 865, Bonita Springs, FL 33913, providing access to some of Southwest Florida’s most scenic and wildlife-rich coastal waterways. We are open 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, seven days a week.
No experience is needed to go on a kayak tour. All tours begin with a thorough paddling instruction and safety briefing. MCE Tours uses sit-on-top kayaks that are extremely stable and easy to maneuver, making them ideal for complete beginners, families, and older adults.
Bring a swimsuit or quick-dry clothes, water shoes (no flip-flops), sunglasses with a retainer strap, a hat, reef-safe sunscreen, a water bottle, and a towel for after the tour. Dry bags are provided by MCE Tours to keep your phone, keys, and wallet safe on the water.
Guided kayak tours start from $65 per person. Sunset Glow kayak tours start from $79 per person. Wildlife and eco tours start from $75 per person. Stand-up paddleboard rentals start from $45 per hour. Tour types include Hobie pedal kayaks, Crescent kayaks, Clear Kayak tours, SUP tours, and Sunset Glow paddles. All tours can be booked online at mce.tours with no booking fees.
Yes, kayaking is family-friendly and safe for children ages 5 and up. Children ride in a tandem kayak with an adult. Child-size personal flotation devices (PFDs) are provided in several sizes. Guides are experienced at making tours fun and educational for young paddlers.
MCE Tours offers multiple tour types and vessel options. Kayak options include Hobie pedal kayaks (premium, hands-free pedal drive), Crescent sit-on-top kayaks (stable, traditional paddle), and Clear Kayak tours (transparent hull for viewing underwater life). We also offer SUP (stand-up paddleboard) tours and rentals, and Sunset Glow paddles—evening tours timed for golden hour over the Gulf of Mexico. Both tandem and single kayaks are available across all kayak types.
Yes, bottlenose dolphins are year-round residents of the waters around Big Hickory Island and Estero Bay. They are frequently spotted during incoming tides when they follow fish into the back bays. Dolphin sightings are not guaranteed but are observed on most tours.
April through October is the best time to see manatees in Bonita Springs, with peak viewing from June through August when manatees are most active in the warm shallow waters of the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve. MCE Tours wildlife tours target known manatee areas during these months for the best chance of sightings.
Roseate spoonbills, great blue herons, osprey, brown pelicans, great egrets, snowy egrets, white ibis, and tricolored herons are commonly seen while kayaking in Bonita Springs. Estero Bay is designated as a critical bird habitat, supporting dozens of resident and migratory species year-round.
Yes, all MCE Tours are eco-friendly. Kayaks and paddleboards are human-powered with zero emissions. Tours follow Leave No Trace principles, maintain safe distances from wildlife per NOAA and FWC guidelines, and encourage the use of reef-safe sunscreen to protect the marine environment. Learn more about Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve from the Florida DEP.
During peak season (December through April), booking 1–2 weeks ahead is recommended, especially for Sunset Glow tours and weekends. During summer months, same-week booking is often available. Same-day reservations may be possible by calling (239) 791-2638 or emailing mike@mce.tours.
Full refund is provided for cancellations made 24 or more hours before the tour. Cancellations within 24 hours receive a 50% refund or a reschedule credit. Weather-related cancellations made by MCE Tours receive a full refund.
Light rain does not cancel tours. In the event of thunderstorms or lightning, tours are rescheduled or refunded. All weather-related cancellations by MCE Tours receive a full refund. Guides monitor conditions closely and will contact you if conditions are unsafe.
Free parking is available at the launch site on County Rd 865 near Big Hickory Island, Bonita Springs, FL 33913. Directions: Take I-75 to Exit 116, head west on Bonita Beach Rd, continue to Hickory Blvd, turn right, and the launch is before the Big Hickory Pass bridge. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled departure. See our directions page for detailed driving instructions.
Visit mce.tours, select your tour type and preferred date, and book online with instant confirmation. You can also call (239) 791-2638 or email mike@mce.tours to book. There are no booking fees for any reservation method.
You can reach MCE Tours by phone at (239) 791-2638, by email at mike@mce.tours, or by visiting mce.tours/contact.html. We are located at Big Hickory Island, County Rd 865, Bonita Springs, FL 33913, and are open 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM seven days a week.
Yes, all MCE Tours guides—Mike, Buzz, Nick, and Ethan—hold ACA (American Canoe Association) instructor certifications and current First Aid/CPR credentials. Many guides also hold Florida Master Naturalist certifications, enabling them to provide expert wildlife interpretation and ecological education during tours.
Guided tours use company equipment for safety and liability reasons. All equipment is included in the tour price. For independent paddling advice, route suggestions, or launch site information, call MCE Tours at (239) 791-2638 or email mike@mce.tours.
Tips are appreciated but not required. The standard tipping range is 15–20% of the tour price. Tips can be given as cash directly to your guide or added when booking online at mce.tours.
The Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve is a state-protected body of water spanning over 11,000 acres in Lee County, Florida. It protects seagrass beds, mangrove forests, and tidal flats that serve as critical habitat for fish, manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, and hundreds of bird species. MCE Tours operates guided kayak and paddleboard tours within this preserve.
MCE Tours focuses on guided SUP tours and paddleboard rentals rather than dedicated SUP yoga classes. However, experienced yogis are welcome to practice on rental boards during calm morning water conditions, which typically offer the flattest, most stable surface.
MCE Tours focuses on eco-tours and wildlife experiences rather than dedicated fishing charters. However, rental kayaks are equipped with rod holders for use during rental periods. Guided fishing kayak tours may be available on request. A valid Florida fishing license is required for anyone fishing from a kayak.
Bonita Springs is a year-round kayaking destination. Peak season from December through April offers the best weather (75–85°F) and the highest visitor demand. Summer months (April through October) are the best time for manatee sightings, with peak manatee viewing from June through August. Summer also brings fewer crowds, excellent dolphin sightings, and discounted rates, though afternoon thunderstorms are common.