Paddle through the mangrove forests of Beef Island on a stand-up paddleboard or kayak on a 1.5-hour excursion from Road Town. Known as the 'nurseries of the sea', these mangrove forests are a safe haven for juvenile marine life just learning to fend for themselves. Travel at a leisurely pace with your small group and local adventure guide, keeping an eye out for barracuda, baby sharks, stingrays and turtles. Use of all equipment is provided.

1.5-hour kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding tour around Beef Island
Paddle through a mangrove forest that serves as a nursery for juvenile marine life
Look out for baby sharks, turtles and sting rays
Learn about the fragile marine ecosystem from your guides
Go ashore on a coral atoll

What's Included

Local guide
Equipment

Food and drinks
Gratuities
Transportation to/from attractions

Departure & Return

Departure Point

Tortola
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
GroundSea Adventures Tortola Pier Park Road Town For Cruise Ship Passengers: Meet at Beans coffee shop in Tortola Pier Park just around the corner from the main BVI Tourist Board help desk. Transport to the mangrove paddle launch site may be in our vehicle (max 6) or in a taxi. Dates: Daily

Return Details

This activity will end right where it started.

What To Expect

Meet your guide and small group at a secret rendezvous point on Beef Island; you'll receive detailed directions ahead of time.

Listen to your guide as they give a short safety talk and orientation to the area, then get fitted with your kayaking or stand-up paddleboard gear. Even for a first-time paddler, either sport takes less than 10 minutes to learn, especially under the guidance of your experienced instructors. Take some practice laps and then head out for the lagoon.

Paddle over to edge of the lagoon that is protected from the wind. As you move, look into the clear, shallow water for fish and other marine life. Rest assured that your guides do not advocate feeding marine life; they leave the fragile ecosystem to its own devices.

Continue into a shallow area full of baby mangroves, a nursery for unusual creatures such as the caseopea andromeda and others. Look skyward to see sea birds such as ospreys, mangrove cuckoos and pelicans. Underwater, look for turtles, stingrays, barracuda and tropical fish.

Midway through the tour, go ashore on a tiny coral atoll, a representative example of how the natural forces create these lagoons, marine forests and islands. Your guide can fill you in on the history of the BVI, from pirates to mega yachts.

End up back at your starting point after 1.5 to 2 hours of paddling.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not recommended for travellers with back problems
Not wheelchair accessible
Children must be accompanied by an adult

Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to late or non-arrival of cruise ship
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Most travellers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travellers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

about cancellations.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Q:What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Magic Mangrove Paddle in Beef Island Lagoon?

A:The policies on face masks and attendee health are:

Face masks required for travellers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas

Q:What is the policy on sanitisation during Magic Mangrove Paddle in Beef Island Lagoon?

A:The policies on sanitisation are:

Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised

Traveller Photos

Reviews

5.0

90 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-9 of 90 reviews

Super awesome mangrove experience!

Berkely_M, Jul 2022

I recommend this experience, not only for the natural beauty of the lagoon, but for Alex’s knowledge of the ecosystem!!! Saw jelly fish, a baby shark, egg sacs, mangrove seed pods, and much more!

One of the best excursions ever

Rich_M, Jul 2022

We've done a lot of different excursions/adventures over the years on various trips and this was, hands down, one of the top 3. Kayaking and paddle boarding with Alex is essentially a tour of a private ecosystem with a cross between a guide, scientist, and teacher. We are a family of 5 with kids aged 13, 11, and 9 and they all absolutely loved the experience. This is definitely one for the more adventurous, since you need to be prepared to paddle around for a few hours on your exploration. As nature lovers we deeply appreciated the combination of education and time in a local wilderness.

Fascinating eco-tour of Tortola mangroves

Paul_S, Mar 2022

Really fascinating to see how essential the mangroves are to the island’s development and survival. The growth absorbs extraordinary amounts of carbon dioxide.We saw interesting forms if mostly primitive life as well as lots of fish, jellyfish (harmless), crabs and some conch. Our guide Alex was very committed and knowledgeable. Hopefully BVI gov’t wakes up to importance of designating theses spaces national parks to protect the fragile climate balance that must be preserved.

Great learning experience...

Robert_S, Mar 2022

Great learning experience about the ecosystem. Knowledgeable guide. Easy paddle for those not experienced with kayaks.

A hidden gem, not to be missed.

Lynne_A, Jan 2022

Fascinating insight into this unique habitat. Alex shares his lifetime of knowledge in a relaxed yet informative style.

Fun

Kevin_D, Jan 2022

This was thoroughly enjoyable. It is not, however, without some physical challenge. Rowing a kayak for the first time into winds was tiring. But Alex provided a lot of interesting information and added some fun twists and turns. Would happily do this again!

Great Eco Travel Paddle Boarding

Lax_C, Nov 2021

Alex was fabulous. Picked us up at the dock. We paddle boarded through the mangrove lagoon and saw the post hurricane natural revitalization of this important biosystem. There were baby sharks, lots of little fish, a sea turtle and I got to hold a beautiful jellyfish. Great ecotravel tour. Highly recommended.

Unique excursion

Glenn_M, Oct 2018

It was unique experience. Saw upside down jelly fish. Didn’t get to see other baby creatures as described but still would recommend. Started from a stunningly beautiful private beach to start kayaking. Went through mangrove bush to get to the nursery of jelly fish. It was a good excursion for family. My 11 year old daughter had fun as well. Transportation is not included. $12 per person one way. We had family of 5 so ended up paying $120 just for the ride.

Had a great time. Trip was relaxing...

sharon m, Jan 2017

Had a great time. Trip was relaxing. We basically were all by ourselves. Our tour was our family of 3 and another family of 5. Definitely not full of tourists. Alex was fantastic. He was knowledgeable and patient. Scenery was beautiful. My 19 year old and 13 year daughters said it was their favorite port adventure of our cruise. The weather wasn't the best that day, but Alex did a great job managing our trip around the rain. Would definitely recommend and do it again.

Questions?

Product code: 34380P1

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