Wake, paddle & troll

Not quite ready to cruise the Amazon? Save yourself the airfare and discover local natural wonders

Not quite ready to cruise the Amazon? Save yourself the airfare and discover local natural wonders with REEL THERAPY KAYAK ECO-ADVENTURES (732-922-4077, www.usgreenzone.com), which offers guided tours of area rivers, streams and estuaries—complete with an up-close look at a wide variety of wildlife.

“One of our most popular excursions is a three-hour trip that starts in Red Bank on the Navesink, then runs into the Swimming River in Tinton Falls,” says Captain Paul Eidman, your guide. “During the tour you’ll see turkey vultures, ospreys and hawks from above, kingfishers and songbirds at the tree level, and fiddler crabs, river otters and turtles at the water level.”

Eidman began chartering personalized kayak fishing excursions in the mid-’90s—a business he still carries on—but expanded it to eco-tours about three years ago. In addition to fabulous fauna, he notes, paddlers can now expect to spot remarkable fall flora, so cameras are highly encouraged.

Open tours are scheduled throughout the month, and private group tours can also be arranged. No experience is needed, and Captain Paul takes you through all the safety drills. The price, $60, gets you a kayak, paddle, life jacket and three hours of eco-escape.