Kayak Amelia, Jacksonville

With help from a staff of paddleboarders, kayakers, environmental scientists, and a dog named Bayleigh & Duncan, Kayak Amelia founders Jody and Ray Hetchka combine their love for outdoor sports with environmental conservation. Ray, a certified naturalist and self-described tree hugger, peppers guided kayak, bicycle, and paddleboard eco tours with facts on flora, fauna, and all the best smells circulating throughout the island's delicate ecosystem. In addition to guided tours, Kayak Amelia teaches paddleboard and kayak lessons, and leads fishing trips and overnight kayak excursions. Guests can sign up for tours, or rent equipment for the day, at Kayak Amelia's storefront, Kayak Amelia Outpost, which carries eco-friendly gifts such as beeswax candles, carved bone necklaces, and clay-dyed clothing.