ECOmersion Kayak & SUP Rentals — Attraction in Saint Petersburg

(We have now gone three times over a few years and every time had a great experience. - my 5-star review stands)

We went to explore the mangrove tunnels by kayak. Ecomersion made this as easy as making a reservation and showing up. It is recommended that you go at certain times with the tides as the water is very shallow. The staff was able to give us the information we needed on what would be the best time to do the four-hour trip. (There is also a two-hour trip, but we went for the longer one.)

You start at the spot shown on google map. This is a small bay like area on the west side of Weedon Island. You kayak south, down around the fishing pier and then hit the mangrove tunnels.

There are no stops with bathrooms. There is one area around the (12th) point I believe that allows you to get out of the boat and there are picnic tables. We stopped here for our lunch. It was about halfway through.

The tunnels were incredible if you are interested in being surrounded by the mangroves and paddling through very shallow and narrow creeks. We spotted several birds, lots of mangrove crabs on the limbs themselves. Going at the time of day that we went, we did not have any issues dealing with currents / tides etc. The paddling was easy. At some points they recommend you might want to take your paddle apart and use only half. We found that very helpful in areas where the creeks were barely wider than a kayak paddle. It was still very easy to maneuver. We took out one of the tandems and had no problems.

I would say about halfway through our two hours, including our lunch stop, we come out on the mouth of Tampa Bay. You have a great deal of protection from small little barrier islands as you skirt back to the south end of the island in little bays and multiple other shorter tunnels through these mangrove islands. We saw more fish in this area as the water stays very shallow so if you are worried about tipping over, it would be easy to get back into the boat, never really being in deep water. I would guess the deepest spots are near the fishing pier. I am just guessing, as I did not see the bottom in that area, but most of the rest of the trip you could see you were only in a few feet of water at most. This area is slightly different than the first half which is mainly tunnels with you popping into small pond like areas here and there. This second half is more like skirting along an island with smaller barrier islands making up all these small little bay-like areas. Quite interesting to see both, the long tunnels of the first half and these open areas where you get some relief from the sun as you go through the small mangrove islands / tunnels as you are traveling back to the starting area.

We had four hours to make the trip, and with our lunch stop and traveling at a very leisure pace, taking lots of photos, we made it in just under four hours. There was no hurried paddling.

You need the essentials, hats, water, bug spray, sunblock, etc. The boats were comfortable, but at 6-3 in height, I did find my feet had to be turned and not pointed straight up to fit into the tandem. A single might fit you better if you are very tall. That said, I was not in discomfort and the seats were comfortable. The equipment was all in very good shape.

On our return the staff gets everything out of the water for you and were friendly. They answered any questions we had before we left. They will also answer any question you have over the phone to get you set up to know what to expect, what to bring and the best time for your adventure.

We will do this again and would recommend it for anyone that finds it to sound interesting. It was not difficult, the staff made everything as simple as you showing up with your supplies and getting into the boat and going.

A great day on the water and in nature. Highly...

We were late due to an accident coming from Tampa. We were told we can’t stay on the water for the time we paid for. Yet there was 16 kayaks lined up in the water and across the loading area and no people there at all. When we got back I felt like I was being lied to about being able to be on the water for the time we missed since again, no one was there and all these kayaks were still there just sitting and all lined up. So I asked if we can pay for an additional hour and was told NO you’re booked. So we walked to the car and I immediately called the 727 number from *67 and pretended I was hiking at the park and wanted to rent a kayak w my friend. I was told there were openings 30 mins apart back to back right away and that you can take us right now. So you guys lied to us. Yet no where on the website does it say you lose time if you are late or that there is no refund policy. Thing is, we are not tourists. We are locals who have paddle boarded and kayaked multiple times with you and have made this a thing that my boyfriend and I like to do in our free time. After being lied to we will def not be coming back ever again. It’s one thing if you have a policy about being late and mass amounts of people were there but again there is NOTHING posted about it anywhere and there was NO ONE there. The place was EMPTY with 16 kayaks lined up in the water and across the loading area. So we couldn't do our time that we had left that we paid for "because you were booked" but when I pretended to be a fake person at the park I could get a kayak immediately. The lack of empathy for customers stuck in traffic from an accident and the fact you guys bold face lied to us is very poor customer service. Instead of accommodating regulars for 30 mins you lost us...

Embarking on a guided kayak tour led by the remarkable Rebecka was an experience that transcended mere adventure; it was a journey into the heart of nature's beauty, expertly navigated by an unparalleled guide. From the moment she greeted us with warmth and enthusiasm, Rebecka's passion for kayaking and the natural world was palpable, infusing every moment with excitement and wonder. Her boundless knowledge and keen eye for detail provided fascinating insights into the local ecosystem, while her expert navigation effortlessly guided us through winding channels and serene waterways. But what truly set Rebecka apart was her infectious enthusiasm; each paddle stroke was infused with joy and curiosity, transforming a simple kayak tour into an unforgettable adventure. Whether it was spotting a majestic heron gliding overhead or marveling at the shimmering reflections of the sunset on the water, Rebecka's unwavering passion ensured that every moment was unforgettable. In conclusion, Rebecka's guided kayak tours are not just excursions; they're transformative experiences that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the beauty of the...