Paddleboard Orlando
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Paddleboard Orlando offers an exceptional, personalized paddleboarding experience, making it perfect for beginners and families with children. The unique value proposition lies in the outstanding instruction from Ned, who is consistently praised for his patience, humor, knowledge, and ability to ensure safety and fun. Participants frequently highlight memorable and close interactions with curious manatees, facilitated by high-quality equipment and Ned's expert guidance.
Key Highlights
- ✓Instructor Ned is exceptionally patient, a fantastic teacher, knowledgeable about the area, very funny, helpful, and engages personally with participants (asking questions to get to know them).
- ✓High-quality, first-class paddleboards and paddles are provided.
- ✓Participants consistently report feeling 'super safe the entire time'.
- ✓The experience is very beginner-friendly; even groups of four first-timers had no problem getting used to their boards.
- ✓Unique and memorable interactions with numerous manatees are a major draw, with manatees described as 'kind and curious' and coming right up to the boards.
- ✓Educational aspects are provided by Ned, making the experience informative as well as fun.
- ✓Specific tour options like the 'full moon tour' are available and highly recommended.
- ✓Reviewers are repeat customers, indicating consistent excellence and satisfaction.
Standout Features
- ⭐**Exceptional Guide (Ned):** Consistently lauded as 'amazing', 'great human', 'best' for his teaching style, patience, humor, local knowledge, and ability to make everyone feel comfortable and safe.
- ⭐**Manatee Encounters:** A highly sought-after and consistently delivered experience, with manatees actively engaging with participants, sometimes coming right up to boards.
- ⭐**Quality Equipment:** Top-tier boards and paddles contribute significantly to comfort, stability, and safety.
- ⭐**Beginner-Friendly Approach:** Specifically designed to make first-time paddleboarders feel successful and enjoy the experience without struggle.
- ⭐**Educational & Fun:** Ned seamlessly blends learning about the local environment and wildlife with entertainment and laughter.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Do not hesitate to book, especially if you or your children are beginners or first-time paddleboarders.
- →Specifically request or ensure Ned is your guide for the best possible experience, as he is a consistent highlight across reviews.
- →Prioritize the 'Manatee Paddle-board Tour' for a unique and interactive wildlife encounter that children will love.
- →Don't let slightly cooler weather deter you; reviewers found it enjoyable regardless, even when initially hoping for warmer conditions.
- →Be prepared for a personalized experience; Ned is noted for asking questions to get to know participants better.
- →Consider the full moon tour for a unique evening experience if available.
Price & Value
No specific pricing information is available from the reviews. However, the overwhelming positive sentiment, high number of repeat customers, and descriptions of 'first class' equipment strongly suggest excellent value for the experience provided. The personalized instruction and unique wildlife interactions likely justify the cost.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accommodations for special needs or accessibility features were mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •No information regarding outside food, snacks, or drinks was mentioned in the reviews.
🚗Parking Info
- •No information regarding parking availability or cost was mentioned in the reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Not explicitly stated, but the personalized instruction, high level of engagement from Ned, and focus on individual experiences suggest tours are likely kept to manageable group sizes, rather than large, overwhelming crowds.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Participants explicitly stated they 'felt super safe the entire time'.
- •The 'first class' quality of boards and paddles contributes significantly to safety and stability.
- •Ned's expertise, extensive knowledge, patience, and effective teaching methods are key safety factors, particularly for beginners and children, ensuring comfort and proper technique.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Group Tours
Not specifiedDuration: Approximately 3 hours (paddle activity) plus post-paddle hangout
Guided paddle tour to Wekiva Springs with a midway break. Available for Kayak or Paddleboard.
Corporate Events
Not specifiedDuration: Full day (typically 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, with optional happy hour)
Customizable team building, client appreciation, leadership offsites, company celebrations, team bonding, and wellness retreats. Includes workshops, paddle adventure, lunch, and strategy sessions. Options for paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, and optional riverside catering and meeting spaces.
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Corporate Events
Booked on demand (no specific dates provided)
Not specified
Customizable events for team building, client appreciation, leadership offsites, company celebrations, team bonding, wellness retreats. Full-day itinerary includes workshops, paddle adventure, and meals/strategy sessions.
🍎Food Policy
- • Coolers & Alcohol: Rules are implied under 'Know Before You Go' section, but specific details are not provided in the content.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Safety Briefing is included in Group Tour itineraries.
- • Information related to 'Vessel Skills & Safety', 'Boarding and rescue essentials', and 'Know Your Vessel' is available on the website (details not provided in content).
📅Booking Policy
- • Booking for Group Tours and Corporate Events is available via the website (implied by 'BOOK YOUR...' call to action). Specific booking policies are not detailed.
🚗Parking Information
- • Self-shuttle parking: $25.
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 4 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Lauren Vigna
a year agoIf you are looking for an incredible paddle board experience, do not hesitate to book Paddleboard Orlando! Ned is the most amazing instructor - patient, a fantastic teacher, and super knowledgeable about the area. Oh, and funny too! We went on the full moon tour and even though it was cloudy, the tour was the best I have been on! The quality of the boards and paddles is first class and I felt super safe the entire time. 100% recommend and cannot wait to return!
Kelly Giacomucci
2 years agoEvery time I come down to Orlando (2x a year) I always book with Ned. A GREAT human, great equipment and customer service. I have traveled with Ned on 3 Costa Rica trips and he picks nothing but the best outfitters for the week. The trips are adventurous with great guides and activities that push your comfort zone. We have had a blast paddle boarding rivers, lakes, the Pacific Ocean as well as the Caribbean, pack rafting, white water rafting, zip lines Tarzan swings, repelling and hikes.
Matthew Bartnicki
a year agoUnbelievable experience with the Manatees! Uncle Ned made it even better by educating us and making us laugh. Me and my crew had a blast and HIGHLY RECOMMEND Paddleboard Orlando.
Linda Ryan
3 years agoWe are from NY and we were hoping for warmer weather to do the Manatee Paddle-board Tour. We were so glad we didn’t change our mind and back out because the weather turned out great and we had a blast! All 4 of us were beginners and we had no problem getting used to our boards. Our guides were very knowledgeable and fun. We saw so many Manatees. I had 3 come up to my board and was able to make contact with all of them. They were very kind and curious. Thanks Ned-A-Tee for the awesome memories. We will be back for sure! 5++
Tori Alvarado
a year agoNed was awesome!!! He was very funny and very helpful. He answered all of our questions and asked questions to get to know us better! He was the best and I would highly recommend touring with him!