I recently had the pleasure of embarking on a kayaking trip with Capt. Yak. From start to finish, every moment was filled with natural beauty, knowledge, and a sense of adventure. Here are some highlights of this experience:
First and foremost, Capt. Yak is a fountain of knowledge. His passion for kayaking and love for the outdoors was evident from the moment we arrived. He is patient, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable - he knew every answer to my many questions and shared fascinating insights about the area and its wildlife. His guidance made the entire trip feel not only safe but also educational and enriching.
The kayaking route itself was beautiful! We glided along the pristine waters, surrounded by stunning landscapes and explored a couple of mangroves. We got very lucky and had perfect conditions.
What also stood out to me was the attention to detail throughout the entire experience. The kayaks were top-notch and well-maintained, ensuring a comfortable experience. Capt. Yak even provided us with waterproof bags and took pictures of us throughout the trip. It's all in the details!
Lastly, the memories created during this kayaking adventure will forever hold a special place in my heart. Whether it was laughing with newfound friends, exploring shell island, or simply basking in the peacefulness of nature, each moment was filled with joy and wonder. I returned home with a refreshed mind and a newfound appreciation for the beauty of St. Pete.
In conclusion, if you're seeking a fun, relaxing, and educational outdoor experience, I recommend this kayaking trip. The exceptional staff, stunning surroundings, and attention to detail make this kayaking trip an absolute must-do....
Read moreOur private SUP tour with Captain Yak exceeded our expectations in every way. Greg, aka Captain Yak, was already at the meetup spot with the paddleboards set up and in the water. I had some prior experience, but my boyfriend did not. Greg quickly gave him a tutorial on getting on the board, paddling, and standing, and within half an hour, my boyfriend was paddling like a pro!
We explored the Shell Key Preserve area, benefiting from very little wind, thanks to Greg’s advice on the best day to go. Along our journey, we were fortunate enough to see bonnethead sharks (harmless), horseshoe crabs, herons, osprey, and needlefish. We paddled through beautiful mangrove tunnels while learning about the various types of vegetation. A highlight of the trip was stopping at a glorious white sand beach, where we swam for half an hour.
The best part was seeing all the cormorants surrounding us during our three-hour adventure! It turns out that cormorants frequently use paddleboards and kayaks to their advantage; the shadow from the SUP scares fish hiding in seagrass beds. Greg was genuine, approachable, incredibly knowledgeable, and informative—paddling with him felt like having a flora and fauna guidebook by our side. He’s the kind of guy you’d want to be friends with, regardless of whether you book a tour with him. We felt safe, entertained, and had a brilliant...
Read moreI cannot recommend Greg and Thomas at Capt Yak highly enough!! They were very friendly, personable, and knowledgeable. We went through the mangrove tunnels, kayaked with the cormorants (which was surprisingly super cool), went to Shell Key, saw dolphins & white pelicans! Shell Key was beautiful & Greg told us all about the wildlife preservation as we went along. His passion for the area was very apparent and appreciated. Thomas was a great lookout because he spotted the dolphins both times-we saw a family with a baby & then a separate dolphin swam by & practically skimmed our kayak! Also, Greg and Thomas both were great about taking pictures for us! They took candids and stopped us for photos throughout the trip-we came away with a ton of great photos & it was so nice not having to take them ourselves, we just got to enjoy our time on the water. I also thought it was a nice touch that they provided waterproof phone cases free of charge. I was initially wanting to go with a company with the clear bottom kayak, but I’m SO glad we went with Capt Yak (after getting on the water I saw that you totally didn’t need a clear boat, visibility was great in a regular one). We will definitely be calling Capt Yak again...
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