Mangroves, Manatees, and a Hidden Beach: Kayak Tour

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From $55.00 per person Lowest Price Guarantee

Select Date and Travelers

You can select up to 15 travelers in total.

Adult (13-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15

Youth (3-10) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15

Book online or call: +1 437 970 2890

Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Tandem Kayak

2 Adults x $55.00

$110.00

Approx Total

$110.00

Tandem (Double Kayak): Chose this option if you want to paddle in a double kayak. Kayaks and Stand Up Paddleboards can be combined in a tour.

Stand Up Paddleboard

2 Adults x $55.00

$110.00

Approx Total

$110.00

Chose this option if you want to use a Stand Up Paddleboard on the tour. Kayaks and Paddleboards can be combined in a tour.

Kayak

2 Adults x $55.00

$110.00

Approx Total

$110.00

Kayak : Select this option if you want to use a single kayak on the tour. Kayaks can be combined with paddleboards on a tour.

Inclusions / Exclusions

Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Double Kayak
Paddles
Safety Equipment (Life Jackets, Leashes)

Gratuities
Launch Fees

Overview

Just a few minutes away from all the hustle and bustle of Sarasota is our favorite local beach, Turtle Beach. It is only a few short miles from the main Siesta Key beach to Turtle Beach and the Sarasota County trolley will drop you right there. Not only is this area such a beautiful and quiet place, it is also a great place to paddle! We start on the intercostal and paddle down a short canal to the Bay. We paddle around the mangrove islands through a mangrove tunnel or two and alongside a bird rookery. We paddle around the mangrove islands of Jim Neville Marine Preserve and then to a "secret" beach. This beach is only accessible by boat so we may have it to ourselves. Such a beautiful place for a quick swim or just stopping for a few moments to relax. You may want to stay here all day. This location is home to all kinds of wildlife including manatees, dolphins, beautiful sea and shorebirds and lots of fish.

Meeting points

Once you enter Turtle Beach park, go straight until the stop sign. Turn left. The public boat launch will be on your left. Find parking anywhere inside Turtle Beach Park.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

The tour starts at the Turtle Beach Boat Launch. We start by paddling in the intercoastal waters on Sarasota Bay. This is a great place to get used to the equipment and also a great place to see manatees (during spring and summer months, mostly). Our tour takes us through a canal and into the mangrove islands of the Jim Neville Preserve. Stay alert for beautiful shore and seabirds along the way. With fishing jumping all around you, our goal is to spot dolphins and manatees that frequent the area to feed. Keep your eye open for ospreys, bald eagles and cormorants--all of which are often hunting for fish. As we wind our way around the mangrove islands and through mangrove tunnels we head toward the highlight of the tour. We pull our boats onshore and wander over the sand dunes to a quiet and isolated beach. This is a great place to stretch your legs, take a swim in the clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico or look for shells. Youth rate is for kids 10 years old and under. Youth paddlers will be in a tandem kayak with an adult. Kayak Launch Fees are $5.00 per boat and will be collected by the vendor upon check-in.

Additional Info

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Free Cancellation

February 05100% refund

February 06No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.9

795 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

5 stars

755
4 stars

30
3 stars

6
2 stars

2
1 star

2

We perform checks on reviews

We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 755 reviews with 5 stars

Amazing experience!

Published on Feb, 2025

Amazing experience! The tour guide was very chill and knowledgeable. Got to stop on the hidden beach and collect some cool shells. Highly recommend.

A great kayaking tour

Published on Jan, 2025

Lew was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the Key and effects of the storm. He made a point to speak with each of us and was encouraging for the newbie. We went through the mangroves, stopped at an amazing secluded beach for shelling and saw a few dolphins. He explained the water there was too cold for Manatees in January and told us where we would be able to spot some. All in all a great trip!

Hidden Beach Kayak Trip

Published on Jan, 2025

We had a great time. Informative paddle. The hidden beach and birds made the trip. Would highly recommend this experience!!

GREAT

Published on Jan, 2025

Such a great day! Loved seeing the Mangroves and the Hidden Beach with all the shells! Thank you for a great tour! We all loved it!

Family fun!

Published on Jan, 2025

Great family activity. The guides were great and got to see parts of Sarasota I’ve never been to. I felt like a tourist in my own city!

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