Paddle Sarasota’s mangrove tunnels on a 2-hour guided kayak tour
2 Hours
Guide, kayak, paddle
Explore the mangrove tunnels and Sarasota Bay with a guide, a short paddle lesson, and all the essential gear. Keep an eye out for local wildlife as you paddle through shallow and deeper waters.
Dogs are not allowed in county parks unless they are service animals. This tour is offered for ages 2–102.
Cancel or change up to 48 hours before departure for a refund. Within 48 hours, no refund or reschedule. No-shows are charged full price with no refund. Full refund if the operator cancels due to unsafe weather; you can also reschedule.
No. Dogs are not allowed in county parks unless they are certified service animals. If you arrive with a pet that is not a service animal, you are not eligible for a refund.
Bring water, a towel, sunblock, and a hat. Wear light clothing. Sunglasses are also recommended.
No. Your guide starts with a short paddle lesson and checks in throughout the tour to help you stay comfortable on the water.
Kayaking the mangroves around Sarasota is a genuinely special experience, and the guides here seem to be a big reason why. Jordan, Jesse, Steffan, and Brad consistently come up in reviews for being knowledgeable, funny, and genuinely engaged with their groups. These aren't just paddle-and-point tours. Guests walk away having learned local history, ecology, and wildlife facts, all while having a great time on the water. Wildlife sightings are a real highlight, with manatees appearing frequently enough that multiple reviewers mentioned them specifically, along with turtles and birds through the mangrove tunnels. The tours run for a range of group sizes, and at least one reviewer noted ending up with a private experience, which they loved. Repeat visitors show up in the reviews too, which says something about the consistency of the operation. If you're on the fence, the reviews make a pretty convincing case. Several people called it a trip highlight, and one international visitor ranked it among the best experiences of their entire American trip. Asking for a specific guide by name seems to be a popular move, so keep that in mind when you book.
It was my first time on this Kayaking Adventure and I felt like I couldn’t have gotten a better guide! Steffen Simmons had so much knowledge and experience with his job. He made learning fun and entertaining (which is very hard to do because I am only 11.) Stefan not only educated me and my family but he also filled my tour with smiles and laughter. The way he had names for all the animals(for example Harold and Erick) made the whole tour happy and brought even MORE knowledge to our tour. As soon as I met him he had very positive energy and immediately learned my name. The overall experience with the kayaking was beautiful (I love how they all ride around on 1 wheels) Everyone there was very welcoming and open to all skill levels! I recommend visiting Kayaking SRQ because I had an amazing time!
Emma Toth
July 7, 2026
It was my first time on this Kayaking Adventure and I felt like I couldn’t have gotten a better guide! Steffen Simmons had so much knowledge and experience with his job. He made learning fun and entertaining (which is very hard to do because I am only 11.) Stefan not only educated me and my family but he also filled my tour with smiles and laughter. The way he had names for all the animals(for example Harold and Erick) made the whole tour happy and brought even MORE knowledge to our tour. As soon as I met him he had very positive energy and immediately learned my name. The overall experience with the kayaking was beautiful (I love how they all ride around on 1 wheels) Everyone there was very welcoming and open to all skill levels! I recommend visiting Kayaking SRQ because I had an amazing time!
Emma Toth
July 7, 2026
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