Big Pine Kayak Adventures Inc — Local services in Stock Island

My husband and I were spending a week road-tripping through the Keys (on our own dime, not sponsored or gifted). After reading a number of reviews online, we decided to check kayaking off our list of excursions with Big Pine Kayak Adventures. They had a number of different areas and options for us to explore and we decided on the 'back country tour' complete with our appointed eco-tour guide, Chris. We also had the opportunity to meet the owner, Captain Bill, and his trusty dog Scupper, who had no time to visit with us since she was busy collecting treats from her dependable human companions around the marina, before heading out. Chris was a great guide, as many other reviews can attest. The tour started out on the boat. Chris took us around to a couple of different areas farther from the coasts of the Keys than we would be kayaking, in the hopes of seeing various sea life. His crab traps housed some cool critters both hiding in, and upon the contraption and we examined them for a while before cruising around again. We managed to catch sight of a couple Hawksbill turtles, lots of Southern Rays, and a Green turtle! Then it was time to tie up the boat and get to kayaking! We went in and around many inlets, through small channels and narrow streams in the mangroves, and only once ran into an area where a downed tree blocked our way and forced us to turn around and head back the way we had come. We saw more Rays, some Horseshoe crabs, nurse sharks, bonnethead sharks (the smallest kind of hammerhead), and even a Lemon Shark who was at least 4 feet long if not more, though this last one was so quick we almost missed it cruisin' around the channel like a boss (with no interest in us what-so-ever). The four hour tour went by quickly and is honestly one of the best excursions we found on our travels in the keys. A big THANK YOU to the crew at Big Pine. We highly recommend that nature lovers look into booking a tour with these guys while visiting the Keys!

~K.C. P.S. don't forget...

Don’t expect too much customer service here, unless we just went on a bad day. We paid and were told where to find the kayaks. We were shown a map (take a picture with your phone) and told how to find the mangrove tunnel. It’s marked with an old white ball hung from a branch. It takes about 30 mins to get through the tunnel. Once on the other side I advise marking the location on your map app on your phone if your are directionally challenged. You have to go back out the same way you came in. Also, I would recommend bringing a waterproof watch. This isn’t a trip for beginner kayakers but also not super advanced. It’s worth any hassle for sure though. I definitely recommend this for any experienced kayakers. I would have given 5 stars if there was any level of costumer service at all. This rating is only based on my kayaking experience. I would give the equipment and...

Bill took us out on his skiff to one of the far-flung Keys where we paddled along the shoreline and into mangrove tunnels and secret lagoons for around 3 hours. It was very leisurely and even a novice could manage this trip. Sadly we didn't see any Sting Rays but did manage to get up close and personal with young Nurse Sharks, Lemon Sharks, Barracuda, Tarpon and hundreds of other smaller fish and birds. Bill is very knowledgeable, relaxed and friendly and I'd definitely recommend one of his tours. You won't know exactly where you're going because he doesn't know until he's half way there as he's scanning the clouds, tides and waterline to give you the best, tailor-made trip the conditions that day will allow. One of the highlights of the...