Different Strokes
For Different Folks...
Native Guide Tours Blogs
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Different Strokes For Different Folks... Native Guide Tours Blogs Return to Native Guide Tours, Click Here
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Some testimonials and comments about Native Guide Tours.
Tours.Date:
May 15, 2012
Hi Ben,
Our group from Atlanta enjoyed paddling with you. Your knowledge of the tides, flora, fauna, and wild life made for an enjoyable trip. The equipment was nice too - especially the Necky kayaks. I'd like to do a tour again when I visit the area and won't hesitate to book the tour with you.
All the best!
Date:
April 12, 2012
I have been visiting the Bluffton area this winter, and I had the wonderful opportunity to take a Kayak tour with Ben. It was a spectacular day! We saw lots of birds and fish life, including a Bald Eagle, a shark,and a pod of dolphins. The pod swam very close to us, and stayed with us for quite a while. It was breathtaking. Most importantly though, I would like to say how knowledgeable Ben is. It was like touring with your very own National Geographic guide. He was extremely careful about safety, including watching the weather. If we had questions, he could handle all of them, and if there were no questions, he could just talk and educate us all as to how the wildlife interacts with the environment at hand. Truly and enjoyable day! I highly recommend Ben and his Native Kayak tours. I will most certainly go again!
Date:
March 16, 2012
Joe and I had such a great time on our eco tour! Amazing scenery, and such a relaxing morning. Ben was an ideal guide. He was attentive, informative, and knew so much about the regional wildlife...it was definitely one of the highlights of our vacation. A kayak tour with Ben is a must on any trip to the Bluffton/Hilton Head area! Had a great time!
Date:
January 15, 2012
If you want a true blissful experience with the expertise of a native look no further Ben will provide a stellar time. Born and raised in Bluffton Ben will exceed your expectations. He even recommends things to do after hitting the river. I highly recommend you booking with Ben you wont regret it!!!! iron cobra.
Date:
October 17, 2011
We loved our tour with Ben.
The 3 of us have never kayaked before and Ben was a great teacher. He was very patient with us. He is an encyclopedia of knowledge regarding the May River estuary and the wild life it supports. We truly can not wait to do it again next year. Thanks Ben for a wonderful time and the pictures you took of us turned out awesome.
Date:
October 2, 2011
Ben,
You provided an interesting and informative discussion of the ecology of the May River and its wildlife. Thanks
Date:
August 13, 2011
What a great morning we had with Ben. I took my 8 year old daughter with me. The pace was wonderful. Plenty of time to see and experience all the amazing things on the May River. Ben took great care of my daughter and made sure she had time to stop and try to catch a few shrimp and some crabs. A great experience. I highly recommend this tour! Thanks Ben for a great morning.
Date:
April 24, 2011
What an incredible "native" experience we had yesterday. Not only did we get to see otters at play, birds, fish, and other wildlife, a once in a lifetime watching the dolphin giving birth! So grateful for the experience and your sharing of your knowledge of the area, the wildlife, the plants, safety and the sport, all made the adventure unforgettable. Thank you!
Date:
May 10, 2010
Our tour of the estuary on the May River was both fun and informative. Ben is an excellent guide and very knowledgeable about the local ecology. We will certainly be back next year for the swamp tour!
Thanks Ben!!!!
Date:
September 23, 2009
Hi, Ben, The kayaking trip now seems ages ago, even though it's only been about six weeks. How I would love to be able to do it again. Sigh. You know how much I hate to get up early in the morning, but the trip was absolutely worth it. Of course, jet lag helped out in that department. When it came to enjoying the early morning gliding through the water, however, you get full credit! Thank you for the running commentary, your sharp eyes, and your enormous knowledge of the local waters. It was really nice to hear so many explanations. The kayaking trip was awesome! Also, I really appreciated your pacing the trip to my paddling abilities--as well as the helpful feedback on how to paddle correctly. You can be sure that another kayaking trip with the "Native Guide" is on my list of "fun things to do" when I am back in Bluffton.
Thank you!!!
Date:
August 18, 2009
What a great experience Ben offers! It's like having a naturalist at one's beck & call.. my grandson really enjoyed his introduction to kayaking and I saw lots of dolphins and a small shark fin - surely the rest of the fish was there! Our postponed 2 days on account of lightning - Ben is very careful of everyone's safety. This was the most thorough pre-trip briefing I've encountered from any kayaking tour leader. Great going,Ben! No wonder you're so popular!
Sherry
Date:
July 18, 2009
What a great day on the May River with Ben. We saw dolphins, baby sharks, sting rays, and all varieties of birds. Ben was very informative and he made the trip very enjoyable. As a resident of Bluffton, I would not hesitate to book this trip again.
Date:
June 29, 2009
Nice way to start morning. Thanks again and might do it again next time.
Date:
10 April 2009
My wife and I had a great river trip last Sunday. Ben made it interesting and fun . . . and easy for novice kayakers. We definitely recommend a trip with Ben.
Date:
27 March 2009
This past week my husband and I and two friends spent a wonderful morning kayaking through the estuaries around Bluffton with our fabulous guide Ben. We have done a lot of kayaking in the lakes of Ontario and off the coast of B.C. This was a truly great experience. Ben was very knowlegable about the surrounding area and the entire eco system. He was fun and informative and it was a truly relaxing morning. You can't truly experience this area of the country until you have been on the water and in the estuaries, especially with and authentic "local". Thank you Ben! Linda and Dave LeGallais
Date:
26 March 2009
Three of us had a wonderful, 3-hour outing with Ben Turner on the May River Monday, March 23. We learned lots...about the tidal marsh and the importance on this estuary and its contribution to the SE coastline as a whole. Ben is enthusiastic for kayaking, but also for the environment on the May River. Our event happened on a beautiful morning in late March, and that made this trip even more special. By adhering closely to our safety and comfort, and answering a wide range of questions we had, we were pleased we had the opportunity to be with Ben. We would recommend Ben's Native Guide Kayak Tours to anyone, novice or with experience, and we will go with him again when we are back in the area. - Richard Purinton, Washington Island, Wisconsin
Date:
1 Aug 2008
Hi Ben
Candice Reynolds here. You took my boyfriend Todd and I for a sunrise tour this past Monday morning. We were the one's who locked our keys in the car.
By far, our most favorite experience was our sunrise kayak tour with Ben Turner. Unfortunately it started off bad. I was still half asleep and only had about 1/2 a cup coffee when he's telling us all the things we don't need to bring with us, including car keys. I locked the doors and handed the keys off to my boyfriend to keep. He hears Ben tell us to leave the keys, thinks I heard the same, and we shut the doors. I thought he had the keys, he thought I didn't lock the doors. Awful feeling. We sucked it up and went on our trip. Ben gave great instructions on land and then put us in our kayaks. He doesn't have a set time period, but it lasted about 2 1/2 hours. The time on the water doesn't start until you're actually in the water. Timing was perfect for the sunrise coming over the water. There were dolphins everywhere! Some dolphins swam right next to me about 10' away. A 3' shark swam right beside me too. Unfortunately I didn't see it, Ben pointed it out. I probably would have panicked. We saw a resident Bald Eagle on Mad Dog Island perched atop a tree looking out. We were able to get fairly close before she took off. We landed at Mad Dog Island and took a walk around to see thousands of Fiddler Crabs. Back into our kayaks for more adventure. Ben is highly knowledgeable about everything there. I couldn't have asked for a better experience! Ohh, he even let us use his cell phone so I could get in touch with my roadside assistance folks to have someone come out and unlock the car. He offered to take us to breakfast at a little diner up the street but we wanted to walk around. He came back later to let us know the roadside assistance folks had called to check up on us and that the tow truck co. was running late but were on their way. Ben was fabulous and I recommend him to anyone anytime!
Date:
25 Nov 2007
Ben Turner is an interesting person and an articulate, witty and knowledgeable guide. Paddling with him, amidst a tranquil and strikingly beautiful setting, was a recent delight. I enjoyed learning about the river ecosystem and getting an up close look at its diverse residents. There were, for example, lots and lots of oysters, beautiful oyster catchers (birds), several curious dolphins and some really long gar (fish). I had not been in a kayak in over a year and my skills were rusty ... but Ben offered numerous helpful tips (and only ribbed me a little). The trip was, without a doubt, the highlight of my recent visit to the area. The price quoted, in advance, was fair and reasonable ... and I was impressed enough with Ben to give him an extra $15. (I hope to hire him again soon). Visitors to the Bluffton/Hilton Head area would be wise to employ Ben for a customized kayak experience. It is relaxing, educational and fun!
(Ben - Thanks so much!! I hope your dog is feeling better these days. Best wishes to all in your home). Andrea Schechterman (The 24-hour petsitter and former park ranger/naturalist)
Andrealynn (Ohio)
Date:
15 August, 2007
Date:
31 July 2007
Comments: One week ago Ben took me on a personal kayak tour of the May River. He arrived at our meeting place on time, was completely equipped, and rigidly followed the proper safety rules. He was extremely knowledgable about the area. He provided me with an opportunity to take what I hope will be some wonderful landscape photos. I highly recommend him. Dave G
Date:
24 July 2007
Having just moved here from the west coast, when my family came to visit I was unsure of what to do that would best show off the amazing beauty of the Georgia coast. After talking to Ben and Molly, I knew a kayak tour was a perfect way to see the wildlife - and it was! Ben is a wealth of knowledge about all things flora, fauna, and the Low Country. A couple of us were first time kayakers and it was easy to learn and with Ben right along side, everyone felt safe and comfortable. My mother called it "the most fun I've had in years!" Thank you Ben for a trip my family and I will never forget! ~ Sarah Winder
My daughter (Roxanne), nephew (Dustin), and I really enjoyed the two hour kayak tour while we were staying with relatives (Guy and Rusty Johnson) on Hilton Head Island. I would highly recommend it to all adults and teenagers that want to take in the nature environment of the area. Since none of us ever have been in kayaks before, I wasn't sure if we would be able to maneuver the vessels. However, it was not difficult at all. We had a great time! Rick Riely
Date:
12 Nov 2001
My husband and I were very happy with the experience and knowledge of our tour guide, Ben. His grasp of not only the ecosystem and wildlife, but of the human history of the area was refreshing and impressive. We did our tour out on the May River accompanied by a distant thunderstorm that provided some fantastic lightning adding to the gorgeous scenery. On our way back in we were delighted with a visit by a pod of feeding dolphins back-dropped against a beautiful sunset. The equipment was sturdy and clean, Ben was a great guide and ever patient with our endless questions, and I would highly recommend him and his group to anyone who wants a kayak tour they will not forget. Oh, and bring a camera...
Kim and Jim (NJ)
I really enjoyed my tour. I always wanted to see bald eagles in the wild, and thanks to you, I have.
Brandon
Hi Ben...Thanks to you and Compton for the delightful trip up Rose Dhu Creek. I'd also like to commend you for your dedication to protecting the water quality of the May River area through your volunteer work with the LowCountry Institute and Friends of the Rivers. Every river could use a friend like you! Kim
My son and I went on a Native Guide Tour and had the most wonderful time. We saw dolphins and many different types of large birds. The guide also took us to a very small uninhabited island and we went ashore to explore the unknown. Thank you for a more personal tour! We'll be back for all our kayaking! Karen Nelson, Roanoke, AL.
I took a trip with Ben over Easter weekend. Having never kayaked before, Ben was patient and a very thorough instructor. I now have the kayak bug. We hope to be down SC way in the future & Ben's tour will be included in our plans. Great trip on the May River! Thanks Carol in NJ
Dear Ben - This is a little late in coming, but I wanted to say Thanks for the great trip on the May River over Easter weekend . I now have the kayak bug and I'm anxious to get out & have some more fun. You are a patient & thorough instructor. You made me feel very comfortable & safe. I do have a question for you. I did not notice the type of kayaks we used. I'd like to start looking to purchase and I thought the ones we used would be a good starting point for comparison shopping. If you have time, I would appreciate if you could e-mail me the name and particulars of the kayaks we used. Thanks in advance. I hope to see you again on my future trips to SC. Carol Ortenzio (I was with Barbara Stio 3/28/02)
Enjoyed your presentation. Should we return to Sun City to revisit we will be sure to look you up for a wildlife adventure. W. Florian
I think your Native tour was great. I loved all of it.
Had a great time today on the beautiful May River with Ben. A slow pace tour with lots of valuable information about the area rivers, tides, marshes, oyster beds and trade winds we learned a lot about how our ego system works. Coming from an area where the Town Bird is a pigeon we really were amazed at all the activity on the water pointed out to us by Ben. The three hours just flew by so we are already planning another trip with Ben when we return in September. Would love to get my son and daughter on one of these trips. They would really enjoy it. Jack and Jean Moolick Nanuet NY and Sun City SC
Went out for a nice three-hour tour with Ben from 8-11 am on June 10. Good time to start out as not too hot yet. Paddled up the May River to Mad Dog Island and beyond feasting on the flora (spartina) and fauna (osprey, buzzards, crabs, oysters, sharks, stingrays, skates, etc., etc.) and on Ben's vast knowledge of the area. We are experienced kayakers and really enjoyed our trip, which Ben nicely adjusted to our experience level. Looking forward to our next trip! Ethan & Kathy.
Always nice to paddle and compare notes with you, Ben. Look forward to seeing you again soon. TL.
Ben, thank you for adding so much to our weekend! You led us on a wonderful journey on Friday, I particularly enjoyed waiting for the sand bar to rise beneath us, seeing the ancient indian canoe & watching the dolphins hunt. Your commentary added much to the experience. Our early morning paddle to Moreland's Landing on Saturday was so magical! Enjoyed seeing the wood storks and the thunder in the distance added a wonderful counterpoint to the stillness of the water. D'you think the racoon found his way down from that post?! I look forward to paddling with you again next time I'm in Bluffton!
Ben, Awesome website...Kudos...thank you, again, for yesterday's paddle. As usual, you were incredibly informative and enthusiastic and Janie had an absolute blast, not to mention, me, too! Di
Hi, Ben. Meg and I really enjoyed the night paddle on the May River. The bioluminescence was cool! I don't know if I would have wanted to be out there by myself, but you know the river and marsh so well we figured we couldn't get lost. Hope to paddle with you again when we're down in Bluffton, and look forward to seeing you on other paddles. Steve & Meg Cramer Athens, GA
sweet site. i love to see people doin what they love and makin money at it . Andrew ,Greenville SC
Thanks, Ben! What a wonderful trip. The birds, the dolphins the peace of the May River - all phenomenal. In this day and age of short attention spans, I was amazed at how your knowledge and the serenity of the surroundings kept my 13-year-old nephew thoroughly enthralled. (And me, too!) Can't wait to do it again!!! -Elizabeth Shumake
Ben, Just loved your "new" bumper sticker. Where can I get one! Diana/Eagles Pointe
Ben, just wanted to thank you for a wonderful kayaking trip on Saturday, 5/15. Being a novice kayaker (is there such a word?), I was a little nervous about my 'getting all wet' and my endurance. Your tips certainly helped my nervousness and made it a very pleasant experience. Thanks again! LaWanda
Ben, just wanted to thank you for a wonderful kayaking trip on Saturday, 5/15. Being a novice kayaker (is there such a word?), I was a little nervous about my 'getting all wet' and my endurance. Your tips certainly helped my nervousness and made it a very pleasant experience. Thanks again! LaWanda
Thank you for your site. May check you out when family vacations there in June.
We had a most enjoyable kayak trip on the May River with Ben Turner of Native Guide Tours last week. We had never been in a kayak before but Ben made it seem easy. He was a very patient and good instructor and we felt safe at all times. His knowledge of birdlife,the ecosystem of wetlands and local history made it a relaxing and informative trip. We had a wonderful time and plan to do a trip with Ben again when we come back to Hilton Head the next time. Pam and Peter Wong.
Kathleen and I (Gary)have journeyed from Pittsburgh to vacation in Beaufort County for a number of years and decided to move to Bluffton in the very near future. During our vacations, we typically kayak at least once as an enjoyable way to explore the area's ecosystem. As part of our exploration, we had read that the May River had been identified as one of he cleanest, most ecologically sound water systems in the country. As such, we decided to kayak the river with Ben. His tour across the river, around the vegetation, and adjacent to various islands proved to be the enjoyable, educative trip we had hoped to experience. Ben's depth of knowledge and concern for safety made the kayak trip one of the highlights of our week.
Enjoyed the trip on Saturday, Ben. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to guide John and me through the oyster bank maze in Calibogie Sound. Great area, just don't tell anyone!!! Hope to see you another time soon. Happy Holidays to you and Molly. TL.
Sounds fabulous, we're kayakers from Michigan and will be returning to the area in early April...Hope to do some paddling in the marshes....Steve and Brenda Bonter
Thanks, Ben. Ed and I totally enjoyed the personalized kayak eco tour you gave us this morning on the May River in Bluffton. We really appreciated the careful consideration you gave to our skill level and the great narrative you delivered at every step along the way. We learned a lot! We were sorry the eagles were not at home, but we plan to visit again next year and hopefully by then there may be an additional family member in the nest. See you next year! Mary Snow Boston, MA
I like your site. It is informative, colorful, interesting, and not overwhelming. Great job! i hope to visit this area and enjoy a Native Guide Tour while there. D. Elaine Laycock
Took our very first kayak trip ever today. It was incredible! Ben is a very knowledgeable and patient guide. Very important for first timers! Seeing the bald eagles and dolphins was an added bonus. We will be back. Repeatedly! Linda Solis
It was my first time Kayaking and it was a blast! Ben is a very good guide and I learned alot of information that I didn't know that was very cool to learn about! I would definitley do it again and again thanks for a great time! ~Dustin Clark
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