Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is an amazing destination for history and nature lovers…read moreof all ages. The center sits within the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, which covers more than 110,000 acres of mangrove forests, upland habitats, and estuarine waters. In addition to board walks and hiking trail it has a two-story, 16,500-square-foot facility that combines research, education, art, and conservation. Start your visit inside the learning center where there is a 2,300-gallon mangrove aquarium with a sculpted 14-foot red mangrove tree. Another highlight is the touch tank where visitors can hold sea stars, horseshoe crabs, sea urchins, and more. There are also exhibits on local ecology and ongoing research in the estuary with emphasis on human impact on nature. A favorite stop on the first floor was the Palmetto Patch Nature Store which featured a variety of nature themed and local made gifts. They also sell water which you will need for a hike if you forgot to bring it. Proceeds from the store go to the Friends of Rookery Bay and their mission to provide resources for Rookery Bay Research Reserve's education, research, and conservation programs. Behind the center there are three half mile walking trails including a boardwalk over Henderson Creek. Thousands of years ago this was the home of the ancient Calusa people that thrived on seafood from the estuary. Although they are extinct you can still see the shell mounds they built. Several Calusa mound complexes are protected within the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve's 110,000 acres. From the observation bridge, you can sometimes spot manatees, tarpon, or even sharks. The trails also passes through native plants and historic sites like the remains of the pioneer settlement Little Marco that lay between Marco Island and Naples. The community was sparked by the Homestead act and pre dated the City of Naples. People lived off the estuary, catching fish, harvesting shellfish, and also growing small plots of winter vegetables. A historic cemetery remains near what is now known as Shell Island Road. The Rookery Bay Environmental Reserve is doing important ecological research and conservation while providing public education about coastal ecosystems, climate impacts, and habitat preservation. If you're a nature lover, looking for an inexpensive family friendly activity, or someone curious about coastal ecosystems, the environmental learning center is well worth a visit if you are in the area.

What a great experience. They do a great job sneaking in education while having fun. Kids loved the…read morescavenger hunt.

This market is wonderful. Food, art, music and friendly faces and prices. Recommended.read more

I enjoy going to this Farmers Market in South Naples at Rookery Bay. The vendors are a mix of…read moreprepared foods and food products such as honey, salsas, cheese, baked goods and fresh vegetables. I especially liked the "Colorstreet nail both. Millie Perez is friendly and informative. You can have a sample done to your nail. No messing with polish and waiting for it to dry plus it lasts a long time before coming off. The market also has a musician playing the guitar. The spot is shady so another plus. Worth the trip.

All that it was advertised to be Lots of fun dolphin time we saw a bald eagle osprey blue heron…read more The shelling beach was perfect The captains were informative and friendly and great with kids

Great boat tour with tons of dolphins, some birding, mangrove investigating, and sunset finish…read more Captain Clay rocks!!, great banter, good piloting of the boat for comfort, knowledge of the area, and perfect wakes to attract dolphins chasing us. Thank you CLAY!!

Love Off the hook! Cory is very knowledgeable and very…read moregenerous with his time and snacks!! The kids love this part of our trip and we make sure to include OFF THE HOOK in our plans every trip to Marco Island

Captain was knowledgeable and accommodating to scheduling and requests to see specific features of…read morethe island, would highly recommend this for your special occasion as a must do on Marco Island.

We went on a sunset boat tour to see the birds roost on an island leaving from Rookery Bay. We had…read morea great time on this slow two hour tour with our knowledgeable guide exploring the mangroves and birdwatching. The sunset was absolutely beautiful and seeing all the birds come to roost was just amazing. It got very very buggy at dusk so I recommend long pants and bug spray!

We had a great time with Rising Tide Explorers on a kayak tour of the mangroves. Our guides Selina…read moreand Parker were very nice, knowledgeable and you could just tell they have a love the local ecosystem. We rented the tandem kayak and had an easy time paddling around. I would recommend the tandem for anyone that might not be a very strong kayaker. We really enjoyed Rising Tide and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, relaxing and learning eco tour of the Mangroves.

This is the gift shop on the first floor of the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center. The…read morestore is staffed by friendly volunteers and purchases from the store go to supporting the Friends of Rookery Bay and their mission to provide resources for Rookery Bay Research Reserve's education, research, and conservation programs. At Palmetto Patch Nature Store you'll find carefully curated items for the whole family. They had t-shirts, hats, bags, accessories, tumblers, toys, books, sunglasses, mugs, figurines, postcards, glass art, and prints by local artists. I especially loved the nature themed earrings made from cereal box paper board from Jabebo Studio. They also had magic t-shirts that were black and white but when exposed to the sun turned into color. They had a number of interesting Florida themed books on the topics of history and nature including what just might be Florida's favorite book, A Land Remembered which covers 114 years of Florida history. Most importantly they sell sunscreen, bug repellent, and water if you plan on hiking any of the trails at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center. Water was only $1 so make sure you stay hydrated. Items from the store can be shipped free to your home by emailing naturestore@rookerybay.org, Volunteers of Rookery Bay get 10 percent off purchases.

They have cute and fun stuff for everyone! Lots of beautiful glass art pieces from birds to…read morejellyfish, etc. Also, some nice clothing items and a great book selection. Not to mention a big variety of toys and books for kids. They have a good deal on local honey, so we bought a few jars!

We had a fantastic experience at Naples Kayak! During our visit, we rented a two-person surf ski…read moremade by Epic, and it was an absolute thrill. The staff made the rental process easy, and getting out on the water was smooth from start to finish. The surf ski itself was a highlight--it felt sleek, fast, and responsive compared to traditional kayaks. Paddling together was both fun and efficient, and it gave us a taste of just how much performance these boats can deliver. I've often thought about owning my own surf ski, and this outing only reinforced that idea. They're so much faster than standard kayaks, and the ride is exhilarating. Overall, Naples Kayak provided a memorable adventure with great equipment and a beautiful setting. We left with smiles, tired arms, and a renewed appreciation for the joy of paddling.

I just picked up my Oldtown Sportsman Bigwater EPDL# from Naples Outfitters yesterday, and had a…read moregreat maiden voyage today! I had searched far and wide for this particular Kayak. When I saw it at Naples Outfitters I spoke with Ryan there. He matched a price I had seen at out of state locations and also gave me my veterans discount. The customer service was excellent, and it was worth the 2 Hour Drive to get this most excellent Kayak!

Had a great time on this tour! Susan and George are very knowledgeable about the area and full of…read morefun facts! Took a 2.5 hour tour around Rookery Bay. We saw a few sting rays, jelly fish, and birds. Was really hoping to see a dolphin, but what are you gonna do? Haha. Small group made it easy to chat and learn more about the area. Susan had worked at the reserve for years before starting the business so she knows a LOT about all the wildlife. Definitely would recommend to anyone in the Naples area!!! They have everything you need, including bug spray (which I was very thankful for) to have a delightful time on the water. They even carefully grabbed some crabs and jellyfish to teach us about. Really can't say enough good things! Must do trip!!!

Absolutely the BEST kayak tour that I have ever been on! Our guide knew the mangroves and special…read moreareas like no one else. Very informative and friendly. I would highly recommend this company!