Tour guides with personality and sense of humor!
There's a reason our customers return year-after-year to go kayaking with us! It could be the cheesy dad jokes that our entertaining tour guides tell or maybe it was the fascinating amount of knowledge they shared about the environment we paddle in... either way, you are bound to have fun and learn a lot with us! Whether you choose to take our popular mangrove tunnels kayak tour with our naturalist and biologist guides or rent a kayak from us and go kayak shelling... we have you covered! Check out our 1,000+ 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor and Google and see why we are the #1 ranked kayak tour company on Marco Island and Naples! Get on the FUN tour today! Call 239-777-5423 or read more about us below.
Rich - Owner
- Background: Business
- From: Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Worked for Paddle Marco: 2022-Present
Rich got out of the pharmacy industry near Tulsa, Oklahoma and feels right at home now in Naples and Marco Island, Florida. You know, they say being in the great outdoors is better than any medicine. Rich oversees all kayak operations for Paddle Marco and its sister companies: Kayak Marco and Up a Creek Kayak Tours. Rich's business background keeps Paddle Marco Afloat and you will be sure to have a good time on a kayak rental or tour under his leadership.
- Background: Business
- From: Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Worked for Paddle Marco: 2022-Present
Rich got out of the pharmacy industry near Tulsa, Oklahoma and feels right at home now in Naples and Marco Island, Florida. You know, they say being in the great outdoors is better than any medicine. Rich oversees all kayak operations for Paddle Marco and its sister companies: Kayak Marco and Up a Creek Kayak Tours. Rich's business background keeps Paddle Marco Afloat and you will be sure to have a good time on a kayak rental or tour under his leadership.
RJ - Manager
- Background: Business
- From: Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Worked for Paddle Marco: 2022-Present
RJ worked for Paddle Marco in 2022 until Hurricane Ian hit. You might remember him if you rented a kayak from us at Caxambas Park! He took a 3 year break thanks to the hurricane and now he's back! RJ drives kayaks all around Marco Island and delivers them to homes and condos. You can also spot RJ on our famous mangrove tunnels kayak tours.
- Background: Business
- From: Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Worked for Paddle Marco: 2022-Present
RJ worked for Paddle Marco in 2022 until Hurricane Ian hit. You might remember him if you rented a kayak from us at Caxambas Park! He took a 3 year break thanks to the hurricane and now he's back! RJ drives kayaks all around Marco Island and delivers them to homes and condos. You can also spot RJ on our famous mangrove tunnels kayak tours.
Chandler - Asst Manager & Lead
Guide
- Background: Aviation
- From: Tahlequah, Oklahoma
- Worked for Paddle Marco: 2021-Present
Chandler felt it was time to be more "down to earth" and he landed here on Marco Island and decided to help out with kayak rentals. Chandler's background includes hundreds of hours of flying small aircrafts and he is currently going to school to become a private jet pilot. Chandler is from Tahlequah, Oklahoma and is part Apache Indian! Although he is Apache, he lived in the capital city for the Cherokee tribe in Tahlequah, Oklahoma but everyone gets along. Chandler handles our Caxambas Park kayak rentals and can sometimes be spotted on our kayak tours too!
- Background: Aviation
- From: Tahlequah, Oklahoma
- Worked for Paddle Marco: 2021-Present
Chandler felt it was time to be more "down to earth" and he landed here on Marco Island and decided to help out with kayak rentals. Chandler's background includes hundreds of hours of flying small aircrafts and he is currently going to school to become a private jet pilot. Chandler is from Tahlequah, Oklahoma and is part Apache Indian! Although he is Apache, he lived in the capital city for the Cherokee tribe in Tahlequah, Oklahoma but everyone gets along. Chandler handles our Caxambas Park kayak rentals and can sometimes be spotted on our kayak tours too!
Sir Touch - Tour Guide
- Background: Hospitality
- From: Adana, Turkey
- Worked for Paddle Marco: 2018-Present
Sir Touch is originally from the country of Turkey! He spent some time in Belarus and Jackson Hole, Wyoming working in hospitality. Sir Touch settled down on Marco Island and has been working with us since 2018. Sir Touch's charm and personality will keep you coming back for more. Did we mention he's a Johnny Depp look-a-like? Hire him for your parties and photoshoots! He's even more fun on the water! He'll even be taking photos with his own SLR camera to ensure you receive the best tour pics.
- Background: Hospitality
- From: Adana, Turkey
- Worked for Paddle Marco: 2018-Present
Sir Touch is originally from the country of Turkey! He spent some time in Belarus and Jackson Hole, Wyoming working in hospitality. Sir Touch settled down on Marco Island and has been working with us since 2018. Sir Touch's charm and personality will keep you coming back for more. Did we mention he's a Johnny Depp look-a-like? Hire him for your parties and photoshoots! He's even more fun on the water! He'll even be taking photos with his own SLR camera to ensure you receive the best tour pics.
Lewis - Master Captain & Retired
Guide
- Background: Environmental Science
- From: Ashland, Maine
- Worked for Paddle Marco: 2016-2025
Captain Lewis hails from northern Maine and has been giving kayak tours in Florida for 10 years. Lewis is a certified master boat captain and he is licensed captain 25-ton ships. He studied environmental science and he's also a firefighter, pilot, logger, fly fisherman and moose hunting guide. That's quite a resume! When he's not entertaning our customers, you can find him at Stan's Idle Hour or Paradise Found Grill in Goodland having a good time. Let Captain Lewis show you the funny side of nature on a kayak tour today!
- Background: Environmental Science
- From: Ashland, Maine
- Worked for Paddle Marco: 2016-2025
Captain Lewis hails from northern Maine and has been giving kayak tours in Florida for 10 years. Lewis is a certified master boat captain and he is licensed captain 25-ton ships. He studied environmental science and he's also a firefighter, pilot, logger, fly fisherman and moose hunting guide. That's quite a resume! When he's not entertaning our customers, you can find him at Stan's Idle Hour or Paradise Found Grill in Goodland having a good time. Let Captain Lewis show you the funny side of nature on a kayak tour today!
Jake - Master Captain & Retired
Guide
- Background: Criminology
- From: Marco Island, Florida
- Worked for Paddle Marco: 2018-2020
Jake has grown up on Marco Island since he was 6 months old. Being a local and growing up on Marco Island gives Jake the upper hand over other-eco tour company operators. Jake loves to share his knowledge and passion about the history of Marco Island and the wildlife we encounter on our kayak tours. Jake also founded and owns the Island Hideout Restaurant and the Marco Pedal Boat, which is a 35 FT pontoon on Marco Island that cruises down the Marco river. In his off-time, he enjoys losing at Mario Kart and trying to beat Glenn at HORSE in basketball.
- Background: Criminology
- From: Marco Island, Florida
- Worked for Paddle Marco: 2018-2020
Jake has grown up on Marco Island since he was 6 months old. Being a local and growing up on Marco Island gives Jake the upper hand over other-eco tour company operators. Jake loves to share his knowledge and passion about the history of Marco Island and the wildlife we encounter on our kayak tours. Jake also founded and owns the Island Hideout Restaurant and the Marco Pedal Boat, which is a 35 FT pontoon on Marco Island that cruises down the Marco river. In his off-time, he enjoys losing at Mario Kart and trying to beat Glenn at HORSE in basketball.
Richard - Naturalist & Retired
Guide
- Background: Accounting
- From: Buffalo, New York
- Worked for Paddle Marco: 2019-2022
After working as a park ranger for Collier County in Naples and Marco Island for a decade, Richard felt it was time to semi-retire and take on a more relaxing role here at Paddle Marco. Richard has volunteered countless hours of his time at the Rookery Bay Learning Center and at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida as a kayak & boat tour guide. Richard has a strong passion to educate our guests about our incredible eco-system here in Florida and he always comes up with hilarious, witty dad jokes. You're always guaranteed to laugh your way through the mangroves with Richard.
- Background: Accounting
- From: Buffalo, New York
- Worked for Paddle Marco: 2019-2022
After working as a park ranger for Collier County in Naples and Marco Island for a decade, Richard felt it was time to semi-retire and take on a more relaxing role here at Paddle Marco. Richard has volunteered countless hours of his time at the Rookery Bay Learning Center and at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida as a kayak & boat tour guide. Richard has a strong passion to educate our guests about our incredible eco-system here in Florida and he always comes up with hilarious, witty dad jokes. You're always guaranteed to laugh your way through the mangroves with Richard.
Lou - US History Teacher & Retired
Guide
- Background: Education
- From: Roswell, New Mexico
- Worked for Paddle Marco: 2021-2024
After fighting in the battle of Gettysburg, Lou settled down for an easier job here at Paddle Marco as a kayak tour sweep. We did let him keep the beard, though. All kidding aside, Lou is very popular amongst the high school kids on Marco Island as their favorite US history teacher and head football coach! He's been teaching US and world history for 20 years! Lou spent a lot of his time growing up in New Mexico hiking, camping and fishing. He calls Marco Island home today and his knowledge of the civil war will really shake you to your core.
- Background: Education
- From: Roswell, New Mexico
- Worked for Paddle Marco: 2021-2024
After fighting in the battle of Gettysburg, Lou settled down for an easier job here at Paddle Marco as a kayak tour sweep. We did let him keep the beard, though. All kidding aside, Lou is very popular amongst the high school kids on Marco Island as their favorite US history teacher and head football coach! He's been teaching US and world history for 20 years! Lou spent a lot of his time growing up in New Mexico hiking, camping and fishing. He calls Marco Island home today and his knowledge of the civil war will really shake you to your core.
Stephanie - Biologist & Retired
Guide
- Background: Chemistry
- From: NorthHampton, Pennsylvania
- Worked for Paddle Marco: 2023-2024
Stephanie joins us from Roswell, GA where she retired from being a canoe tour guide at the Chattahoochee Nature Center for 8 years. Stephanie loves to share her knowledge and passion about our local wildlife here on Marco Island. Aside from being a nature lover, she knows all about chemistry, sciencey stuff and she's a hockey mom!
- Background: Chemistry
- From: NorthHampton, Pennsylvania
- Worked for Paddle Marco: 2023-2024
Stephanie joins us from Roswell, GA where she retired from being a canoe tour guide at the Chattahoochee Nature Center for 8 years. Stephanie loves to share her knowledge and passion about our local wildlife here on Marco Island. Aside from being a nature lover, she knows all about chemistry, sciencey stuff and she's a hockey mom!
Glenn - Founder & Former Owner
- Background: Entrepreneur
- From: Montana
- Worked for Paddle Marco: 2015-2025
Glenn started Paddle Marco in late 2015 and handled all kayak rental and tour operations for Paddle Marco and its sister companies: Up a Creek Kayak Tours and Kayak Marco. Glenn also wrote the best selling book "Goodnight Marco Island" book. Glenn retired in October 2025 and sold the company to Richard and his son, RJ. Glenn went on to create the Marco Island Safari Truck Tour! It's a sightseeing tour in a real safari truck!
- Background: Entrepreneur
- From: Montana
- Worked for Paddle Marco: 2015-2025
Glenn started Paddle Marco in late 2015 and handled all kayak rental and tour operations for Paddle Marco and its sister companies: Up a Creek Kayak Tours and Kayak Marco. Glenn also wrote the best selling book "Goodnight Marco Island" book. Glenn retired in October 2025 and sold the company to Richard and his son, RJ. Glenn went on to create the Marco Island Safari Truck Tour! It's a sightseeing tour in a real safari truck!
The FASTEST Kayak Delivery on Marco Island!
We understand that it's a pain to pick
up a kayak, strap it on to your car and carry it to the water. Our staff
is standing by and ready to deliver kayaks and paddle boards to your vacation
home or condo today. We also have FREE DELIVERY to Capri
Paddlecraft Park and Caxambas Park. Remember...
you get what you pay for on Marco Island. Don't get stuck in a mickey mouse
kayak. If nice equipment and great customer service are important
to you, then we are your best option. Let us do the heavy lifting and deliver
a kayak or paddle board to you today! Check out our kayak
rentals page for more information.
Fun for beginners and experts!
Our kayak tour guides are here to make
sure you have a safe, educational and FUN time on the water! Our
staff will be happy to teach you the basics of kayaking and paddle boarding
before every tour or rental. Our tour guides are always nearby if you need
help on the water and we always carry a tow rope. Experienced kayaker? No
problem! We'll skip the speech! Less Talking, More Paddling! Come
see why Fortune 500 companies + all local resorts and hotels all prefer
Paddle Marco for their kayaking needs.
Get on the FUN Kayak Tour Today!
Don't get stuck with Professor Boring!
Get on the FUN tour with the most entertaining guides in Southwest
Florida! Expect to hear many cheesy dad jokes all while learning about the
history of the area and the ecology of the estuary. Our professional photographers
will also be taking beautiful FREE HD photographs of you and your
family with a high end camera. Our competitors use cheap low resolution
cameras and stick their logo watermarks all over your photos afterwards...
we don't do that. Read more about our kayak tours
and take a look at our amazing kayak tour photos!
