South Lido (Sarasota) Mangrove Tunnels TourIf you are looking for an outdoor, recreational activity in the Sarasota area, then this family-friendly, kayak eco tour is for you. Come travel through the exotic mangrove tunnels, and explore Little Sarasota Bay, which is frequented by manatees and dolphins. This tour is a favorite for all ages and skill levels. This tour launches daily at 9am throughout the Summer. Call 941.504.6296 to make your reservation!Cost: $55 Click Arrow to Play Video or Click www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua6zHifDOH8 South Lido (Sarasota) Mangrove Tunnels Tour FAQsWill I see manatees and dolphins?Manatees are frequently seen from March through December, when the waters are warmer. The remaining months of the year, manatees can be seen, but it is less frequent. Dolphin may be seen year round as they feed and travel through the surrounding mangrove islands and channels. Is the tour okay for children?The South Lido (Sarasota) Mangrove Tunnels Tour is ideal for all ages. For children, we have smaller life vests and lighter paddles. We also suggest tandem (double) kayaks, so that an adult can sit in the back of the same kayak with his/her child, and help with paddling. Are there alligators on this tour?No! There are no alligators on the South Lido (Sarasota) Mangrove Tunnels Tour. However, our Myakka River Tour has lots of alligators (check out the Kayak Tours link). Is the South Lido (Sarasota) Tour suitable for new kayakers?Yes, this great for beginners, as well as advanced kayakers. We start each tour with paddling instructions for those who need it. Then the practice continues on the water with more instructions before the tour begins.  What kinds of birds are on this tour?Depending on the time of year, a wide variety of tropical birds can be seen on the South Lido (Sarasota) Mangrove Tunnels Tour. Osprey, Great Blue Herons, Little Blue Herons, White Egrets, Yellow-crowned Night Herons, Snowy Egrets, Little Green Herons, Tri-colored Herons, Black-crowned Night Herons, Cormorants, Pelicans, and occasionally Wood Storks, Roseate Spoonbills, Reddish Egrets, Bald Eagles, White Pelicans, and that’s only to name a few. What types of live shells are on the tour and can I take them home?There are an abundance of live shells on the South Lido (Sarasota) Mangrove Tunnels Tour that can easily be seen in these shallow protected waterways. The Florida Horse Conch (the state shell), Lightning Whelks, True Tulips, Banded Tulips, Clams, Scallops , and Crown Conchs are quite common. In addition to these beautiful live shells, you can also view Sea Stars (Starfish), Sea Urchins, Sea Anemones, Sea Cucumbers, and many more invertebrates. We stress the word live because the shells are living creatures. They are protected and must stay in the water and can’t go home with you. But you can certainly enjoy them on your tour. Will my tour be cancelled if it rains?Your safety is paramount. So cancelling a tour depends on the weather conditions. If the forecast is a light drizzle, then the tour will launch at the regularly scheduled time. If there are thunderstorms or any hint of lightening, then the tour will be postponed or cancelled. However, if you choose not to go on the tour due to weather conditions, or if your tour is cancelled, your credit card will not be charged. What is the water like on this tour?This tour is in the swallow, protected waters of Little Sarasota Bay so there is limited influence from wind and currents. The water is usually very clear which makes it great for viewing sealife. What is the cost?The cost of this tour is $55 per person; children under five years are $40. It can be paid in advance by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover) at the time you BOOK your tour. Since this tour launches from a Sarasota County Park, we are unable to accept payment or make reservations within the launch location. Please note that your card will be pre-approved upon registration, but will not be charged until the day of your tour. That way if we have weather issues, or you can’t make the tour, just give us a call and you will not be charged anything.  Photo by Sandy Stelzer (St. Louis, MO) Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures' Customer Can I tip my tour guide?Although our guides appreciate this kind gesture, they're unable to accept cash (including a tip) at the tour location (since it is in a Sarasota County Park). If you would like to tip your tour guide we have three options. #1) You can include a tip during your reservation on a credit card. #2) You can call our shop after your tour and ask that a tip be added to your credit card on file. #3) We highly recommend that you post a comment/testimonial on TripAdvisor (www.TripAdvisor.com), Google, Yahoo, Facebook or other social networking site. Where do we meet?The South Lido (Sarasota) Mangrove Tunnels Tour launches from the NORTH entrance of South Lido Park, referred to as the South Lido Nature Park on Lido Key (about 1 mile off of St. Armanda’s Circle). Some people confuse this location with the south entrance of South Lido Park that is located at the south end of Lido Key. Please note that this is not the physical address of Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures. This is a Sarasota County Park. MapQuest directions can be found on the Directions link or on the Google map below. How long is the tour?This tour takes about 2.5 hours, including launch time and on-water paddling instructions. Sometimes, the tour runs longer depending on how much wildlife we find. Do the kayaks fit all body types?We have kayaks for all shapes and sizes. We will assist you with finding the right kayak at the time of your tour. Our goal is to make sure that you are comfortable and enjoy your adventure. What should I bring?We highly recommend bringing a bottle of water and items that you would normally have while you are out in the sun (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses). Cameras are okay, but we suggest putting them in a zipped plastic bag. What should I wear?Most people wear t-shirts, shorts and/or bathing suits. During the winter months we suggest a light wind breaker or a sweat shirt depending on the temperature and the wind conditions. The most important thing is to be comfortable. As for shoes, wear something that you don’t mind getting wet - flip flops, aqua shoes,Tivas, or old sneakers are ideal.   Is the South Lido (Sarasota) Mangrove Tunnels Tour for me?This tour is ideal for anyone interested in having fun while learning more about one of our more popular local ecosystems. It’s a hands-on experience that is perfect for all ages, skill levels and physical conditions…making the South Lido (Sarasota) Mangrove Tunnels Tour our most popular kayaking adventure. Depending on the time of year, manatees and dolphin frequent this area. If you never have had the opportunity to experience manatees up close and personal, here’s your chance! View Larger Map
Lido Key, Florida is located south of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, and
north of Siesta Key. | ||||||
OUR BEACHES ARE CLEAN.
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 941.504.6296 |
