Booked this excursion as it was within walking distance of our accommodations a few days in advance, in good faith. Paid and used Viator reservation. The morning of our tour it was overcast and windy, not ideal conditions. I called and was told rather rudely that the guide was on their way already and if canceled - no refund. No credit. John, apparently the owner of this outfit - assured us that there was no rain coming, and we would have a great time.
Against my better judgment we headed over where we met our guide Alicia - Elisha? It was only us 2 - and while I anticipated the kayaks would be on the dock or something. No. They are on a trailer and we had to haul them over the muddy dirt parking lot to the boat ramp. I was told they just use the free public boat launch site here to save on the cost of having an actual business location. This should of been my first clue this is a cheap cheesy outfitter.
I am not sure why they have clear kayaks when all you see below is brownish green water. Kayaking Clear Thru Clearwater? Ha Ha - more like Dirty water. You basically travel in the main boating channel. Luckily for us there was very little boat traffic because most people would not want to go boating on this day. The wind was 10 to 12 mph which pushed us along easily the first 50% of the trip. However the reverse return into the wind was difficult and miserable. I don't fault the gal employed here, she even agreed we should not be out here on the way back in.
Other then a few pelicans and seagulls, there was nothing else to see. The only benefit of this excursion is we got a good workout. I am not going to dispute the charges for this miserable experience with my credit card company. After all we did go. But I was certain to register my complaint with Viator. I understand they can't control the weather, and not everyone is going to get the perfect day. My advise is do not book in advance, but rather the day of when you can see the weather is going to be acceptable. Otherwise you will be stuck with no option to cancel - and no refunds, Even if it were a sunny nice day, this kayak trip offers nothing but exercise.
Response from Host
Jul 2024
This is false. Nobody called us and anytime that a customer does call us concerned about the weather we offer them to reschedule or a credit to use in the future . We don’t have our customers carry the kayaks down a boat ramp to save money. It costs us more than renting a Dock would because we have to pay our guides to drive the kayaks to the ramp and back and for storage of the kayaks. Also, if you ask for a refund through Tripadvisor, it forwards it to the business. We have never denied a refund. We have recently had 5+ reviews removed from fake accounts and this appears to be one of those accounts if you check all 5 of this persons reviews were made on the same day.