If I could leave 10 stars I would. Like most tourists, we showed up wanting to fish off kayaks and didn't know a thing. Good thing they rent both kayaks and fishing rods/reels. Gavin was amazing! He went above and beyond and set us up. We had a great time. Great place. We will definitely be back. Thank you! read more

Don't waste ur time ordering anything online. Very unprofessional. I called to confirm product was ready to ship before I ordered. A week after ordering I call to see if the item shipped, "it's back ordered" "sitting in my office" "I'll ship it right away". It's going to cost double the amount to ship than u paid already. I believe every last bad review after hearing how this person handles herself on the phone. Need to work on their professionalism. Maybe a staff training would help. My advice- Order elsewhere. read more

Estero River Outfitters - Tight lines - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Estero, Florida

Great friendly service. Beautiful river. A few places to stop along the way to snack. Would definitely recommend!

Came in to demo a kayak they said no problem come on in. I get there and I can't bring my fishing pole with me to test out a "fishing" kayak.. wanted to test out the rudder system but the kid wouldn't allow me said it's not recommended. I expressed my experience on the water and in and around boats my entire life and he laughed at me and said we hear that a lot. Needless to say he told me I'd have to rent the yak for 80$ for two hours and I'll be able to bring my pole and test the rudder. Basically making you pay to rent it to even just test a boat out. Some advice for yah. Don't act like you think you know it all because mommy sold you her kayak store. I'll drive to the other coast to give my business elsewhere. Besides the new owner kids poor communication and people skills everyone else was pretty nice and polite. read more

Located right on Rt41, just as you cross over the Estero River (across from the Koreshan State Park). No reservations needed as they have a huge inventory. The facility is located right on the river, so they drop you right in. Our goal was to paddle all the way to Estero Bay. Going out, we were fighting the tide. It took just over 2 hours to get to the Bay. I thought my arms were going to fall off, not to mention my shoulders and back. Whew! But we did it. We picked up a friend on the way (dolphin) who swam with us for a really long time. Pretty cool. Going back was a little easier - going with the tide. Took a little under 2 hours and that was with taking a wrong turn. Things look different when you're going the other way. lol. Overall, a fun time. Definitely will do it again. Give it a try. read more

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Don't rent kayaks from this business if you're relatively new to kayaking or a beginner. We had a terrible experience with this business when we rented kayaks and ended up flipping over (with very little movement) as the kayaks we received were sitting on top of the water and top heavy. No one there gave us any indication how easy the flip and what to do if you flip over. The water is very murky, there are signs to watch out for gators, and panic set in. We called for help twice to their office number and no one came to help us even though they said they were on their way. When we finally got back in our kayaks, after a long and traumatic experience, and made our way back the guy acted like no big deal and asked how our experience was. He was supposed to be on his way to help us and he stood there like nothing. We won't be going kayaking again and never will recommend this pathetic place to anyone. read more

I loved this adventure. The staff was great and accommodating. I took a 2 hour rental with an upgraded seat. Two hours was plenty of time especially since I am not an avid kayaker. The River was BEAUTIFUL. read more

We had such a great time! We rented 2 tandem kayaks, each with a child in it. They offered us life jackets for each person, even though it is only about 5 feet deep. They were helpful getting in and out of each kayak. Neither kid had been kayaking before, so they were nervous. The gentleman who helped us at the dock was very nice and kept the conversation light. They gave good advice on which way to go, how long we would be out, and what kind of wildlife to see. We saw many turtles and kept an eye out for gators, but saw none. The shorter distance by the Happahatchee Center has many stream runoffs and little waterfalls. The process of renting was very easy and we would easily go back for longer time (sans kids). It would be nice to get out to the bay and do spend the day. read more

Estero River Outfitters - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Estero, Florida

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Five stars all the way! From the sweet and helpful girl At the checkout today, to Graham (spelling?) who pulled us in on the kayak when we were done, he killed it! Rental Prices were reasonable, plenty of supply and the route to go kayaking on is amazing! Highly recommend, and very centrally located. Will be back! read more

Estero River Outfitters - Kayak and beautiful scenery - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Estero, Florida

We arrived about 9:30. This place is awesome and we will be back. The guys helping you get off and on are a big help. If you need anything, there is a shop right there with all the gear you need. I can't wait to go again. I wish the Estero were clear, but it's good practice. Two hours is plenty of time, but it was fun. Don't forget the sunscreen, hat, etc. read more

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This place and the River is amazing. We've only ever gone West from the dock and yesterday we overheard a couple saying they much preferred going East. Wondering if you can tell me what's different about going that way? Heading West, we can always stop at Koreshan to stretch our legs. Is there a place to park heading East? Thanks for any info. Looking forward to going again! read more

Estero River Outfitters - Family - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Estero, Florida

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Love this place. Can't wait to go again! Note: Not a lot of shade... be prepared with sunscreen, hydration, etc. Compared to a lot of other kayaking I've done... there VERY few places to beach your kayak and get out... be prepared to just stay in your kayak the entire time. read more

I would give more than 5 stars if I could! This was an extremely easy and pleasant process to rent kayaks. They were really helpful and answered all of my silly questions, etc. I highly recommend this place if you aren't experienced or on vacation wanting to try something different. You kayak down the river until you are ready to turn around. It's not deep and you can't get lost. It was perfect for my 10 year old son and I! read more

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We went at 830 to kayak. It's only five minutes from us and yet we have never been here. We rented a tandum kayak and it was perfect. The water was clear and we saw HUGE fish and a manatee snout. It was such a peaceful retreat. Definitely a wonderful date!!!! I highly recommend this as a staycation activity. read more

We've been on the hunt for kayaks for a little while now. We knew generally what we wanted but dicks and bass pro weren't serving what we needed. We were recommended Estero River by a friend and it was a great choice. They had a pretty wide selection and were very knowledgeable about every style. We tested a few out ( yes, they let you take them down the river to make sure you like them!) We we're a little indecisive but Jeff was so patient and really cared about what one would be more compatible for our lifestyle. There was no salesman or pushyness what so ever. We finally picked our kayaks and accessories and had a great time with the process. They also helped us load and secure both into the car. Service is really important to us and this team went above and beyond to be a great company. We will definitely be back for any watercraft needs. Thank you team read more

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It was crowded but the service was swift and the line for kayaks went really fast, I was really impressed. The cost was affordable and all five of us had a ball read more

We have had an absolute blast every time we've gone out there. Perfect way to start off the day. Mahalo, krdl read more

We were supposed to have kayaks available to us for our two month stay, but did not. Looked all over, renting, stores, FB Marketplace. No luck. We were referred to Estero River Outfitters by a marine store. We got patient and knowledgeable help in choosing the best option. Very happy with the variety and customer service. Definitely recommend! read more

Brought in my kayak after I mucked it up trying to fix the steering myself. I actually thought I totaled it because it is a 1st Gen Native Slayer and I ... never mind. Your Team was unsure if you could fix it. Fortunately you had a guy there with very loooong arms to undo, redo, and DO what I ruined. You got back to me fast and quoted a very reasonable price. I am leaving out a lot of good stuff but your whole team was so nice when I got there to drop off and again to pick up. I am not a country club member but I now know what it feels to be doted on! Thanks ERO! read more

Hunter helped me try out some Stand Up Paddle Boards. Gave suggestions that were very helpful. He was Great! Then I rented a Kayak for several hours on a serene fun paddle on the Blue Calusa Paddleway. People in the shop were very friendly and helpful....turned this into a very fun day! read more

Estero River Outfitters - Here I am. - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Estero, Florida

Ruined our Fathers Day! We called 1 week before to make booking. Girl insisted that we don't make reservations and "we always have lots of kayaks and never run out". We arrived at opening 10am 06/21/2020 and girl at register was incredibly rude. She obviously couldn't handle it. Then told us they didn't have anything and it will be long wait. Ok happens. However, then she proceeded to give away the single kayaks to people ahead of us. No organization at this place. I will not recommended this place to anyone. Stay away. read more

I'm a newbie to kayaking and wanted to buy a light high quality SOT kayak. ERO has very high quality merchandise including models of the Hurricane and Eddyline kayak brands. I took a demo in one model of each brand. Very valuable as I realized that the more expensive model was the more suitable one for me. The staff is very knowledgeable and helped me select a quality paddle and life vest. They helped us load the kayak onto my friend's SUV. Pretty certain ERO will install racks for free, and they rent kayaks for a good rate. I highly recommend. read more

Rented 3 Kayak's - two singles and one double for our family of four. $17.50 per person for 2-hours was not bad. Kayaks are nice and in good condition. The staff was nice when we checked-in. The Estero River is a nice easy paddle. The only issue was there are a lot of low hanging branches that need to be trimmed along the route. Some areas were tricky to navigate and at one point a branch with thorns got ahold of the top of my hand, that was painful. I assume since the company sells right on the River they would be able to maintain the path for their customers. Other than that, it was great. read more

Estero River Outfitters - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Estero, Florida

Great time!! The folks are so kind and accommodating! Even Kayaks for big guys! Smooth water, great sites, and wildlife. We were glad to have all the shade, too! Do it! Great activity for family or solo! read more

The kayaks had comfy seats in them and they were one of the most affordable kayak renters in the Naples area. Loved it. They even offered delivery and pickup service for a reasonable extra charge. Will be using them again. read more

Great selection of kayaks and very knowledgeable and helpful staff. Their program that allows half the price of your rentals to be applied to a kayak purchase is unparalleled. Allows you to try multiple kayaks to get the perfect one for you. Highly recommend them. read more

I visited Estero River outfitters today with my family for the first time. It was so much fun! We were the first ones there renting canoes. There are several different options for renting a canoe or even a kayak. They also have live bait and tackle. The staff was extremely friendly and welcoming. When we returned, I was a little wet from some wild paddling. Justin, the gentleman that handed me back my drivers license also handed me a towel and said "you can have it." We will most definitely be back to try the kayaks next time read more

I can not say enough great things about this place! From the moment I arrived I was treated like family, (the kind of family you actually want to spend time with)! Everyone was extremely helpful and listened to all questions and concerns as this was my first time kayaking and purchasing a kayak. There was absolutely no pressure ( I hate that car salesman type of pressure - or any time of "please just buy it!" Pressure), and they were very patient and let me try out several kayaks before I found "The One" For me. They also walked me through any issues that can arise with storage, and gave me a pamphlet on how to keep my kayak in top shape while also explaining all of the key points to me. This place has a genuine family-feel to it, so it was no surprise I learned that they are a family run business. Everyone was extremely helpful from start to finish, and even called to check how things were going after a week or so! Ask for Jake when there, no he's not from State Farm, but he was the Gentleman that helped me pick out my kayak and he even shared a few of his favorite fishing spots! I would highly recommend Estero River Outfitters to ANYONE - their kayaks are top notch and their service is absolutely 5 star! read more

This is a great place to rent kayaks. It was only $17 for two hours. I think we kayaked for one hour and 59 minutes. The waterway was relaxing and we could have kayaked longer. They have the kayaks you sit on instead of in. It was my first time kayaking and it was much nicer than canoeing. We went one way and it was shady with low hanging trees. A few guys were fishing. They were having great success. We then changed directions. This other part of the water way was very big and wide open. It's where the manatee swim. I missed manatee season by a month but that's ok. I'll just have to come back. read more

Estero River Outfitters - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Estero, Florida

This afternoon was perfect. Excellent customer service to the team!!! I will be visiting more often. Highly recommend to take the time to visit!!! read more

Estero River Outfitters - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Estero, Florida

If I could give zero stars, I would. Yesterday morning called Estero River Outfitters to make sure that I could rent 3 kayaks at around 3:15-3:30(I had a friend driving 3 hours to meet us there). Jake assured us that that would be absolutely fine, and I didn't need to make a reservation because they had plenty of kayaks. We get there at 3:15, and the two boys inside the rental building were adamant that NOPE, NO RENTALS AFTER 3PM! I explained that JAKE had assured me it was completely acceptable. One of the boys stepped into the back for a minute, presumably to talk to Jake. I'm not sure if he actually did. When he came back a minute later, he said no, absolutely not. No rentals after 3pm. Horribly unprofessional behavior. The other boy working the front desk was cursing in front of my child. And my friend ended up driving a total of 6 hours for nothing after I had been adamantly assured that the timing would be absolutely fine by Jake. read more

We had always wanted to go kayaking but felt like we never had the time. We stopped in one morning to check out the process and were amazed by the ease of the transaction! We were in, paid, and on the water in minutes. It was our first time and the Estero River Outfitters team made it so easy that we were already looking forward to coming back during our first five minutes out! We saw wildlife, other kayakers and some pretty nice nature! Thank you crew of ERO! We have found a new place to embrace! read more

I would love this place but they lost two of my IDs now and they refused to reimburse me for the IDs so I wouldn't recommend them even tho I've been going here for years. They don't really care about the customer anymore when I said I wanted to get my ID they told me they didn't have it and then said that they never lost one so if they don't have it they never did. If you go there be prepared to loose your ID and then have the front desk tell you it's your fault not theirs. read more

I've been here around a dozen times or so, and every time has been awesome. The staff is always super nice and helpful, and the price is pretty decent. You can rent a kayak for $17.00 for two hours, and for just another 10 bucks you can upgrade to all day. My most recent trip was just a short one, about an hour and a half, but still just as fun as always! We encountered an alligator*, around 5 feet or so, just 6 feet from us, which was the coolest and scariest thing I've ever seen. In retrospect i wish I had taken a picture of it, but my fight-or-flight instincts kicked in and I got the hell out of there! I highly recommend this place, but make sure to bring a cooler full of beer with you! Always a great time with a group of friends! *Alligator sighting not guaranteed with rental of kayak, author assumes no responsibilities for disappointments lol read more

Great place to go kayaking/boating, away from the tourist traps of the nearby beaches. Lots of options to choose from, so if you're a beginner or an avid kayaker, chances are you'll find a good fit for you. My frustration with the people who worked there was that they charged us for certain kayaks (paid for 2 hours), but when we got outside, the man pulling the boats told us he had run out of the ones we wanted and only had ones left that cost more. He made us go back inside and pay an addition $5 on top of the $25ish we had already spent. Not the end of the world... but I feel like they should have either told us from the start they were out of the ones they wanted... or not charged us the extra money. Other than that, the people who work there were friendly and helpful and clearly know their stuff when it comes to the best rentals for your skill level. read more

So easy to rent kayaks. My bf and I rented a double for 2 hours. Only 37 dollars!!! For all the wild life we saw during the experience it was well worth it. There were also paddle boards, and other cool things to rent there! It seemed to be busy when we went around 10am so be sure to get there at a good time. FYI manatees come right up to your kayak so that's for sure a plus to just the general kayak adventure. read more

We rented 2 single kayaks at their location on the Estero River. At $37.50 for two, it's right in the usual range (we've rented kayaks all over Southwest Florida). They have a huge selection of kayaks available, and place you in the kind you request. They were happy to explain the differences, and correctly fitted the footrests for us. They were also explaining paddling basics to the group in front of us, so whatever level of assistance you need, they can provide. The river is nice; they send you out towards the bay. The first part winds along the state park, so it's fairly quiet and isolated. After that, mobile home parks line the shores, and it has a more suburban feel. There are motorized craft moving up and down, but it is a no-wake idle-only zone. Like most of Florida, the water is dark and murky and you can see little. We lucked out and saw a manatee at very close range; I nearly ran into him. He looked like a granite boulder under the water, until he came up for air. Further down the river there are some nice little side paths available, and the isolation is pleasant. If you have more time, 6-8 hours, you can paddle all the way to the bay. We didn't have time for this, but it's an option. read more

These folks are terrific to work with. We went there thinking we would have to spend a couple hundred dollars for repairs. Instead, the visit cost about $12 and some repairs were done for free. In our opinion, they are the best kayak people in SW Florida. read more

Third time renting kayaks in the last few years and has always been a good experience with friends and family. The staff are helpful and really know their stuff regarding equipment and the river. This time the current was light so paddling was even easier. I rented a paddle board for the first time and loved it. Even easier than a kayak. I'll be back in the river soon. Great time. read more

Estero River Outfitters - Me and the kids in the river - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Estero, Florida

BIG THANK YOU and shout out to Jake and Estero River Outfitters. Everyone I dealt with there was customer focused and they actually sent someone to my house to install my rooftop cargo box. That is above and beyond and they have certainly earned my business as a fairly new resident in Estero. read more