Ripple Effect Ecotours

Specialties

We provide eco-​educational kayak adventures. Our expert naturalist guides will lead you on a spectacular tour of the Matanzas Geopark and teach about the importance of this estuarine ecosystem. From bottlenose dolphins to bald eagles, wildlife is abundant in this natural paradise. You never know what you might see on one of tours. We pride ourselves on being extremely environmentally friendly and we hope to show guests on our tours how they can be stewards of the environment.

From sunset tours to our special destination tours, their is something for everyone no matter your age or experience level. We also offer kayak rentals. Give us a call to make a reservation or visit our website. We hope to see you on the water!

History

Established in 2007.

Founded in 2007, Ripple Effect began with owner, Chris Kelley and two part-​time guides as professional outfitters offering kayak tours in the St. Augustine and north Flagler County ares in the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve. From the beginning, Ripple Effect’s mission has been to provide an entertaining and educational experience that will increase public stewardship of nature and respect for these natural areas.

In 2011, Ripple Effect moved their headquarters to an office at the Town of Marineland Marina. There, Ripple Effect has grown to offer jet boat tours, kayak fishing tours and gr in addition to the kayak trips and now employs full-​time professional guides. As part of the GTM-​NERR community, they have fostered partnerships with their Marineland neighbors including the University of Florida Whitney Lab, Marineland Dolphin Adventure and the Conservation Field Station.

Meet the Business Owner

Chris K.

Business Owner

Chris is the owner of Ripple Effect Ecotours. A life-​long obsession with the natural world began in the remote areas of Baja, Mexico where he was introduced to off-​grid, self-​sufficient living in «La Frontera», one of the last frontiers in North America. The abundance of marine life in the Sea of Cortez in contrast to the stark Baja Desert led Chris on a journey exploring the vast American landscape over the next decade by both land and sea. After two years exploring the Florida coastlines on their 34′ sailboat, «Rift», Chris and his wife settled into the quaint seaside town of St. Augustine, Florida. Nowhere else had they encountered such an abundance of natural beauty in the Sunshine State. Chris now teaches kayaking as an American Canoe Association Level 3 Coastal Kayak Instructor and environmental education as a University of Florida Master Naturalist Instructor.