Guided Kayak Tours at King's Landing: Eco River & Emerald Adventures

Unforgettable Experience with Nigel! We had an absolute blast on our kayaking tour! Nigel was an incredible guide—so knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic throughout the entire adventure. We were able to see fish, an alligator, otter, deer, lots of turtles and birds. He knew all the best spots and shared so many interesting facts while keeping the atmosphere fun, engaging, and relaxed. He also takes pictures of the group and sends them to you via email. If you're looking for a memorable time on the water, definitely ask for Nigel. Highly recommend!

I booked a VIP Kayak guided trip for me, my wife and our 3 kids aged 16,15 & 11. We arrived for our 1.30pm slot on 15th August. We checked in quickly and were told to wait in a dedicated area for our guide to arrive. Our guide was Nigel, a fellow Brit who from start to finish was amazing. He made a point of introducing himself to all 5 of us and really made our kids feel included and welcome. He gave us a quick tutorial and we then headed off on the buggy to the starting point of our kayak trip. We are about to finish our 16 day trip to Orlando and this activity was by far and away the best thing we did, including all of the Disney and Universal theme parks. The Kings Landing run (river) is absolutely beautiful. It was very busy at times but that didn’t bother us. Nigel was brilliant. He was knowledgeable and great company. He knew when to talk to us and tell us all about the area and when to stay in the background and let us enjoy the trip as a family. There was a point that lasted about 45 mins when we were the only people on the run. It was absolutely silent and so amazing. We saw alligators, birds, turtles and loads of fish. There were opportunities to stop, have a swim and climb overhanging trees to jump in the beautiful waters. My 15 year old son and me loved this. Nigel took some photos as well as taking some ourselves. I cannot recommend this trip enough. It was such a different and welcoming change of pace to that of the theme parks and was arguably our best day of the holiday. Nigel was an amazing guide and I would highly recommend him and the trip as a whole. 10 out of 10. We didn’t want time in the Kayak to end. The kids loved it and was an brilliant opportunity to spend time as a family whilst allowing the kids the freedom to enjoy their own kayak.

This is an absolutely beautiful place that every Floridian should experience at least once. It is truly stunning and I am glad I came. The price for kayak rental is a little higher than what I typically pay around other parts of Florida, but it’s not unreasonable for four hours of rental. I had to move my reservation to a different day and they were very accommodating and got back to me very quickly. There’s no designated parking area so you’ll park on the gravel off the side of the road. You’ll want to get there early if walking longer distances is an issue for you or have somebody drop you off and park the car. I made a reservation for 8:30 AM on a Wednesday in late July and when I arrived it was already very crowded. I thought with the reservation system that the number of people launching simultaneously would be spread out, but it was a very chaotic environment with the number of people there for tour groups and launching single vessels. My paddle up the springs was very peaceful and quiet, but on the way back, I encountered a lot of people with speakers blaring music. This is a very tourist-heavy spot and understandably so as it’s a beautiful place to visit. However, because of this, you’re going to encounter a lot of people that don’t know how to use a kayak or canoe. You can expect to get rammed into by other paddlers pretty frequently and be pushed into the bushes often. When I passed through the emerald cut there was a large tour group from Kings Landing who were blocking the navigable paths by standing 7 or 8 people across. You essentially had to weave in and out to make it through a bunch of people who ignored your attempts to get their attention and allow you to pass. The only restrooms they have available are portable toilets that are out in the hot sun. The people at the front counter were very polite, but I found the rest of the staff to be a little rude and unwelcoming. Be mindful if you’re coming in the morning that the traffic from people trying to get into Kelly Park can add an extra 10 or 15 minutes to your drive time.

Our visit to Emerald Cut was absolutely amazing! 🌿✨ Our guide, Kim, was exceptional. Not only did she take beautiful photos of us, but she also shared so much knowledge about the environment and nature around us. She took us to hidden spots we would have never discovered on our own, which made the experience even more special. It was our first time kayaking, and she made us feel completely comfortable and supported throughout the entire tour. Thanks to her, we truly enjoyed every moment. We 100% recommend this experience to everyone—even those who might feel a little hesitant about being out in nature. Connecting with nature is always worth it, and you definitely won’t regret it! 🌊💚

Highly Recommend Nigel! Best tour ever! We opted for the private personal tour with Nigel and I am so glad we did. He was a fantastic guide who kept my teenage grandkids completely entertained and engaged the entire time. Nigel is witty patient and a very cool guy. His knowledge of the run is absolutely impeccable. We learned so much from him and saw an incredible amount of wildlife, including alligators, otters and herons if you’re booking a tour definitely ask for Nigel.