AMELIA ISLAND, FL

BREATHTAKING BEAUTY

OUT ON THE WATER With Amelia Island Kayak Excursions

By Heather Turk

Paddle past — and even underneath — breathtaking oak trees on the 2-hour Lofton Creek eco-tour

Vacations are all about making memories that will last a lifetime, and there’s no better way to do that when visiting Jacksonville than on a guided eco-tour with Amelia Island Kayak Excursions.

Founded in 2013, the family-owned business has evolved over the years. At first, the tours consisted of the Bullington family taking friends and family members out on overnight kayaking trips, but now it has become one of Northeast Florida’s most acclaimed tour companies. Today, travelers can book 2-hour, 3-hour and 5-hour guided ecotours, as well as overnight excursions to some of Northern Florida and Southern Georgia’s most scenic, off-the-beaten-path destinations, including Lofton Creek, Cumberland Island, Suwannee River and Okefenokee Swamp. “If there were any dumb trips, I would tell guests,” said tour guide Amber Bullington. “As guides, we would not want to regularly paddle in a boring place, much less bring our guests along!”

Since the company offers tours in different ecosystems, the flora and fauna vary from waterway to waterway. Depending on the eco-tour booked, guests might see moss-laden oaks, sand dunes, manatees, alligators, dolphins and even wild horses roaming. Various self-propelled vessels are also available depending on the excursion, from traditional kayaks and stand-up paddle boards to Hobie Mirage kayaks for guests who would rather pedal than paddle.

“Not all kayaks are created equal, and we specialize in having the proper designed boats for the type of waterways where guests will be paddling,” Bullington said. “We also have a variety of sizes, so we can accommodate a wide range of different heights and weights. The equipment that our guides use is the same quality that we provide to our guests.”

Every eco-tour also includes the perfect keepsake — a complimentary digital photo album of the trip — so that guests can soak up their tranquil surroundings without worrying about getting the perfect photograph. ameliaislandkayak.com