The Story Behind Southeast Adventure Outfitters: 30 Years of Kayaking Excellence in Georgia's Golden Isles

By Stephanie Vermillion

In 1994, Michael Gowen guided his first kayaking tour through the Golden Isles. Drawn by abundant wildlife and endless waterway adventures, this local paddling expert hasn't looked back. Here's the in-depth story of his renowned company, Southeast Adventure Outfitters.

From pristine beaches to thrilling wildlife encounters, the Golden Isles offer unparalleled nature experiences. Few deliver this immersion like a guided kayak tour with Southeast Adventure Outfitters, founded by Michael Gowen, a St. Simons Island resident with unmatched knowledge of coastal Georgia's intricate waterways.

“We have a huge trail system here—it's just all wet,” says Gowen. He launched the company from his driveway in 1994, pioneering paddling tours in the region. Today, with two locations and multiple daily tours, Southeast Adventure Outfitters exemplifies enduring success.

“The beauty of our area is that the great majority is undeveloped. Between St. Simons and Savannah, there's about 70 undeveloped miles of coast, and within 100 miles of the coast, we have about one-third of the eastern seaboard's marshes,” he explains. “You could go every day and never see it all.”

In nearly 30 years, Gowen has explored vast stretches of Georgia's coastline, making his tours a favorite for their expert timing and prime wildlife, nature, and scenic spots. This biodiversity first captivated him as a paddler.

“This is one of the most productive ecosystems in the world,” Gowen notes. Just yesterday, he and guests watched cormorants fishing while pelicans poised to steal catches—with dolphins leaping through distant fog. “We always see something different, something we've never seen before—and that's true for almost every trip.”

Southeast Adventure Outfitters stands out for providing intimate access to coastal Georgia's ecosystems. Gowen started it as a side venture while working at local restaurant Crabdaddy's nearly 30 years ago, growing it into a paddlesport leader amid kayaking's surge in popularity.

His inaugural tour was ambitious: a week-long paddle through Georgia's wetlands, marshes, and seas with visitors from upstate New York. “It was a great feeling to know we were finally floating,” he recalls.

Partnered with Cindy Dennard, the company has thrived. “When we started, kayaks weren't really well known,” Gowen says. “It's been gratifying to see the whole sport grow, and I feel lucky to be in such a beautiful part of the world that people like visiting.”

Tours now range from two-hour outings to half-day adventures, with custom longer trips available by phone. While wildlife still amazes, Gowen values the connections with outdoor enthusiasts most.

“I call our front door a great filter,” he says. “It filters humanity down to the folks that like being outdoors—and I like that filter.”