Kayak or Paddleboard Tour on Siesta Key
Quick Details
Away from all the hustle and bustle of Siesta Key, 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 along 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.
If you book the Siesta Key Paddle Tour, you will have a highly experienced guide. Our guides know these waters well and their only goal is that you have a safe, comfortable and enjoyable time on the water. Most of our guides have been paddling the Florida waters for over ten years, some for their entire lives. They have insider knowledge of the local area and wildlife and will offer a unique glimpse into the Florida lifestyle.
If you would rather do a self-directed tour of the same area, check out our Turtle Beach rentals. We will get the equipment set up for you, you pick it up and explore on your own. We do provide maps and insider tips before you set out.
On our tours at Turtle Beach, we regularly see gentle manatees and dolphins. Occasionally, curious manatees swim up to us and say hello. This is usually a highlight of the tours. The entire tour is in salt water, which is not a suitable habitat for alligators. In the summer, we have seen sea turtles and sea turtle hatchlings–this is always very cool, but pretty rare.
We always practice safe marine mammal and sea turtle viewing. We keep our distance and try not to disrupt their natural activities. If they approach us, we stop paddling and just take in the experience. It never gets old.
Many of our paddlers are first timers. Our guides are experienced and patient and will teach you the ropes in no time. They are also safety experts and will ensure every bit of your adventure is safe and comfortable.
Yes, we do this all the time. Many of our guides lead from a paddleboard as it gives them a better vantage point.
We try to limit the tours to 12 boats per tour but they are often much smaller. This seems to be the perfect size so the guides can attend to all participants and ensure everyone is having a great time.
Feel free to reach out via phone or text message anytime. We want to make sure you have the best possible time. You can reach us at 941-952-8245.
This is THE best paddling eco-tour in Sarasota. The highlight of the tour is paddling through the winding tunnels cut through the mangroves. The mangrove tunnels at Ted Sperling Park are a very special place. Wildlife abounds on this paddle with interesting birds, fish, invertebrates, and even marine mammals. Many people say this tour was the best and most memorable part of their Sarasota vacation and for good reason!
Paddle Siesta Key! Away from all the hustle and bustle of Siesta Key, is our favorite local beach, Turtle Beach.
Feel like exploring on your own? We have limited daily kayak and paddleboard rentals at Ted Sperling Park. This launch site is the closest to the Lido Mangrove tunnels and gives you easy access to this amazing area. We provide a map and will give you some pointers about the area before you head out on your own.
Paddleboard, Surf and Beach camp is all about fun! Classes are led by certified lifeguards. Lots of kids sign up for more than one week because it is just so much fun to paddleboard and surf with our coaches.