PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Along the Anclote River near Tarpon Springs, you never know what you'll find or what exciting piece of wildlife will make an appearance, and that's just the way tour guide Austin Wood likes it. 

“Dolphins, manatees, bald eagles, you can find all sorts of birds. It's all here and sometimes we see it and sometimes we don't!" Wood said. 

Wood knows these waters well, as he's the owner of River Wild Kayaking, a company that takes guests out on the waters off Tarpon Springs to explore. 

Wood grew up outside of the U.S. along the coast of England, but he's always had a passion for the outdoors and wildlife. He took many trips with his mom as a child and then eventually moved to the U.S., where he taught environmental science for a time in Texas. 

“I started teaching environmental education in Texas back in 2017 and then moved to Florida and opened this business a year ago. And you know, I didn't go to school for this stuff; it's really just a passion of mine,” he shared.

Now, his business has been going strong for over a year. The organization takes people on tours of the area that delve deep into how these ecosystems work and also show how you can play a part in keeping them alive and thriving. A big portion of Wood's tours deals with education and conversation. 

“We talk a lot about mangroves and ecosystems and how delicate they really are and how they support our lives here in Florida, so it's really important and educational,” he said. 

So come explore aboard a kayak learning the stories of the river from a guide like Wood, whose passion and love for nature make these tours one of a kind. 

River Wild Kayaking is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.