The experience itself was great -- I was somewhat taken aback by one guide at the outset who chastised us as being not appropriately dressed. She said we should be in "bikini bottoms", not long pants -- but my repeated skin cancers do not allow that much sun (and she was the one being inappropriate, in my opinion). I was relieved we were permitted to go on our own. Once we were in the water, it was a great time! Very interesting when the tide was high and we couldn't even use our paddles, we had to pull ourselves along by the mangrove branches overhead -- fun and adventurous. Saw several manatees, as well as interesting birds. One friend accidentally fell out of his kayak, and that was a true high point! (Despite his long pants, he did not drown.)