FAQs

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CHOOSING H2O ADVENTURES & MORE?

First and foremost, you are accompanied by an experienced guide on all events. Second, the planning is done for you. Third, we provide all properly sized and sanitized gear needed for any event. As we like to say this allows you to show and go.

When we plan an event we consider the ease and comfort of our customers. We also monitor all weather conditions, including marine forecasts, which track the probability of rain, winds, tides, water temperature and water levels. Worse case scenario would be if weather conditions deteriorate causing unsafe measures. If this occurs, we may have to suspend and/or cancel the event. Mother Nature is sometimes unpredictable so we always have to keep an open mind to amending plans as your safety is paramount.

HOW TO MAKE A RESERVATION & PAYMENT?

You may request a reservation for yourself and/or a group at any time by filling out the form on our home page, sending us a message via Facebook Messenger or by calling / texting Ryn at (813) 784-3396. Please note our events have a limited number of openings and we operate on a first come first served basis. If you are interested in a public event but would like to make it private please contact us directly to discuss same.

Did you see or hear about an event on Facebook or Instagram and want to reserve your spot? Please go to our Facebook page, select the event, mark "going" then proceed to complete a waiver, pre-ride checklist and payment through our website. Waivers and pre-ride checklists are located under the "WAIVER & CHECKLIST" tab and payment options (PayPal, Square and Venmo) are found under the "MAKE A PAYMENT" tab. In an effort to limit hand to hand contact and to avoid delay on the day/night of the activity, we strongly encourage filling out and returning the waiver(s) electronically prior to the day of the activity.

Completed waivers and the pre-ride checklist may be returned by scanning both sides and emailing it back to us or you may take a photo of both sides and text it to Ryn at (813) 784-3396.

Once we receive your waiver(s), pre-ride checklist(s) and payment(s) the reservation will be confirmed.

WHAT ABOUT THE WEATHER?

We want to make your rental and/or activity as safe and enjoyable as possible. Therefore, we have the following guidelines in place and monitor local weather, wind, water level and/or the marine forecast frequently. Please understand certain activities call for specific conditions and the activity may be canceled if those conditions are not favorable for providing optimal and safe conditions for the enjoyment of the activity.

Additionally, if winds are forecasted to be greater than 12 mph all kayak rentals and related activities will be cancelled. For all other mother nature related conditions such as lightning, threat of tornadoes, hurricanes, torrential rain and floods, fish die-offs/red-tide, or any other type of weather condition that could cause harm to you or your group, the rental or activity will be cancelled. We have to err on the side of caution and consider everyone’s safety. We understand we are in Florida and it may be raining on one side of the street but not the other, so we pay close attention to the forecasts for this reason. If a nature related condition is the reason your rental or activity is cancelled we will reschedule or issue a refund.

Here are some additional links for you:

https://www.weather.gov/tbw/

https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/Forecats/FZUS52.KTBW.html

https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/

https://waterdata.usgs.gov

DO YOU OFFER TRANSPORTATION TO/FROM THE EVENTS?

Unfortunately, at this time we do not offer transportation.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN ACTIVITY?

Aside from checking the weather and/or marine forecast you should prepare for any outdoor activity keeping the following in mind: You want to be hydrated, have food, be protected from the elements (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, proper clothing and footwear).

We also suggest the following:

Dress appropriately for the event by wearing sun protective clothing like a long sleeve shirt/pants, wetsuit, hat and sunglasses. Wear closed toe footwear for all activities as there may be times we will walk on uneven surfaces like sand, on or near oyster beds, rocks and gravel.
Pack water/soft drinks, food and snacks in a small personal size cooler.
Pack a dry bag with sunscreen/sunblock, your phone and anything else you want to keep dry.
Pack a change of clothes but leave them in your vehicle so you can change into them after the activity.
Obtain a fossil hunting permit or salt water fishing license*
Pack snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins)

*specific to fossil hunting and/or scalloping charters

For everyone's safety please do NOT bring:

Alcohol and/or drugs
Any glass items
Pets

Again, each participant is required to read, fill out and sign our waiver and pre-ride checklist prior to the activity. Once completed please send them to us via email at h2oadventuresandmore@outlook.com or you may take a picture of each page and text it to (813) 784-3396. Additionally, spouses are not allowed to sign for each other and if there is a “power of attorney”, you must present a copy of the documentation, which grants you that authority. If you refuse to sign the waiver, we will refuse your participation. Please note H2O Adventures & More reserves the right to refuse services to any individual who may not be dressed safely and/or who may not be physically able to operate a kayak and/or participate in the activity.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN I ARRIVE TO AN ACTIVITY?

Take a personal inventory of your belongings and secure your vehicle.
If you were not able to complete the waiver and pre-ride checklist prior to arriving at the activity, the guide will hand you a clipboard with the waiver. Please move away from the boat ramp and/or launching area in order to complete the forms.
The guide will usually unload/ load kayaks and gear but if help is needed, they will direct you as to how you may assist them.
Before launching, the guide will conduct a briefing about what to expect, point out any areas of concern, review paddling techniques and ensure all participants have properly sized gear.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING AN ACTIVITY?

As you paddle, relax, take in all the sights and enjoy yourself.
Please do not stop at any property, including houses or docks along rivers and coastal waterways as it is private property. The only facilities are at public parks, beaches or boat ramps.
In lower water, there will be sandbars and/or beaches to stop at but in higher water, stopping will be limited. If water levels are too low you may be required to exit the kayak, lift or float it free from an obstruction or into deeper water. Please remember never to drag our kayaks over gravel or oyster beds and/ or over concrete.
Florida has a plethora of amazing wildlife but you must realize that you’re in their house now. Please respect all animals and do not feed any of them. Wildlife will vary based on location; for example in salt water, we may see manatees, dolphins, sharks, stingrays, lots of fish and birds, while in fresh water we may see manatees, alligators, snakes, fish and birds. On the rivers and in nearby estuaries gators may be seen or unseen but it's important to know they are around. If we happen to see baby gators, it's best to stay away from them because their mama is closeby. Our advice is to observe wildlife from a distance so they do not feel threatened and won’t bother you. If you want to wade in the water it may be best to do so in shallow water where you can see the bottom.
If you see a rope swing or bridge please refrain from swinging and/or jumping from them, as water levels may be too shallow, there may be submerged hazards or they may be connected to private property.
If you need help in getting in/out of the kayak ask your guide and they will be happy to assist you.
Any outdoor and/or water activities have inherent dangers, so you need to be careful and use common sense.
If renting a kayak without a guide, you will need to be mindful as to the time it will take you to paddle back to the launch site. It generally takes 1 1/2 times as long to paddle back up river as it did to paddle down.
Please be mindful of any trash you create and make sure it returns to dry land with you, not in the water. If you are on a guided tour the guide will stage trash buckets for your trash, as well as, for any trash you wish to remove from the waterway.
There are rules and restrictions are in place for your safety, the safety of others and your guide, as well as, the longevity of our equipment, please comply with same.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER THE ACTIVITY?

Please gather your belongings as you exit the kayak as we are not responsible for your personal effects.
Please exit the boat ramp or launch site with your belongings as soon as possible as the area needs to be cleared for others coming or going.
Gratuity is not included but it is always appreciated. If you want your guide to know you had a great time, show them. For your convenience we also have an online tip jar via PayPal, Square and/or Venmo.
Drive safely and come adventuring with us again soon!

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY?

For your protection, we reserve the right to cancel any rentals and/or activities due to inclement weather or hazardous conditions. If your rental and/or activity is cancelled for one of these reasons we will reschedule your activity or issue a refund. Your safety is our number one priority.
If we cancel your rental or activity you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel, do not show and/or do not communicate about being late for your rental or activity, the following shall be considered: - If your rental or activity is scheduled on a weekend and/or holiday, you must cancel at least one (1) week from the reservation date in order to receive a full refund, minus a $5.00 transaction fee. However, if your reservation was made less than 24 hours before the weekend and/or holiday rental or activity there will be no consideration for a refund. - If your rental or activity is scheduled on a weekday, which is not a holiday you must cancel at least 48 hours prior to the reservation date in order to receive a full refund, minus a $5.00 transaction fee. - If you do not show up for your reservation there will be no consideration for a refund. - If on the day of the rental or activity you contact us to advise you are running late, we reserve the right to restructure the rental or activity and/or reduce your time for same. - If on the day of the rental or activity there is no communication from you about being late, there will be no consideration for a refund. We allow a 10 minute window for lateness but if after that time you are not present, your rental or activity will be cancelled and there will be no consideration for a refund.
If an individual(s) present themselves in an unsafe manner ie: under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, is being belligerent and/or argumentative, H2O Adventures & More has the right to refuse the rental and/or their participation in the activity and there will be no consideration for a refund.
Most importantly if you feel like your age, physical or mental health condition(s) may cause harm to yourself, to others or to the guide please do not consider renting or scheduling an activity with us. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone and if for any reason we feel that your age, physical, mental health condition(s) or behavior may put yourself, others, our guide, our equipment/property at risk, we will not rent or allow your participation in the activity.
If during your scheduled rental or activity, you or a member of the group want to end the activity either early, absent any conditions caused by mother nature, there will be no consideration for a refund. Also, if you willingly choose to end or abandon an activity, which affects others, you acknowledge and authorize H2O Adventures & More to hold you financially responsible as a result of your actions and you will be charged a minimum of $250.00 (non refundable) in addition to any other applicable charges.

LOOKING FOR A UNIQUE GIFT?

We offer gift certificates but call them Paddle Bucks. They are sold in any denomination, may be redeemed for any rental and/or activity, are valid for one (1) year from the date of issue, are non-transferrable, have no cash value, may not be sold and will not be replaced if lost or stolen.

Reservations are always required, so please contact us at (813) 784-3396 or email us at H2Oadventuresandmore@outlook.com. If a reservation is made using Paddle Bucks but you do not show up your Paddle Bucks will be considered "redeemed"and will no longer be valid.