- Most Popular Tour!
- 2 hours Duration 2 hours
Paddle with us through otherworldly mangrove tunnels, which are home to a plethora of birds and all sorts of marine life. Encounter manatees and bottlenose dolphins up close!
Quick Details
Time of day: Morning, afternoon
A Soothing Kayak Excursion Through a Marine Preserve
If you are searching for a family-friendly activity in Siesta Key or a relaxing kayaking paddle through the Jim Neville Marine Preserve, then this is the eco kayak tour for you.
The Siesta Key Tour launches from the famous Turtle Beach and travels through the shallow bay into numerous tidal flats. Throughout the warmer months, dolphins and manatees can be observed around the mangrove islands. During the winter months, there is a large amount of migrating birds. The tour makes a stop on the beautiful shores of the Gulf of Mexico at Midnight Pass.
This tour is ideal for anyone interested in exploring the Jim Neville Marine Preserve, venturing around the mangrove islands, or just relaxing in the tropical surroundings of Siesta Key.
Launch Location
The tour departs from our Siesta Key launch point at 8918 Midnight Pass Rd., Sarasota, FL, 34242.
Common Questions
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- Water! The Florida sun is hot, and we want to make sure you stay hydrated. Help us reduce plastic waste by drinking from reusable containers rather than single use plastic bottles!
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Cameras
- We can provide small drybags to protect phones, cameras, car keys, etc.
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Most people wear t-shirts, shorts, and/or bathing suits. During the winter months, we suggest wearing a light wind breaker or a sweatshirt 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, water shoes, or old sneakers are ideal.
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The Siesta Key Tour launches from the famous Turtle Beach and travels through the shallow bay into numerous tidal flats. With any luck, dolphins can potentially be seen year-round. Throughout the warmer months, manatees can be observed around the mangrove islands and the canal we start and finish from. During the winter months, there is a large amount migrating birds. The tour takes a stop on the beautiful shores of the Gulf of Mexico at Midnight Pass.
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The Jim Neville Marine Preserve is a 35-acre protected area that surrounds Midnight Pass in Little Sarasota Bay. We explore this area and the many uninhabited mangrove islands that make up the Jim Neville Marine Preserve (named for a local county commissioner who advocated protecting this natural ecosystem).
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Although both tours are amazing and travel through Sarasota Bay, there are some differences. There are several uninhabited mangrove islands on the Siesta Key Tour, but there are no mangrove tunnels. To make up for it, we stop off at the historic site of Midnight Pass, a great place for a few minutes of shelling!
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No, there are no alligators on the Siesta Key Tour. We get this question all the time! Our Myakka River Tour has lots of alligators.
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Your safety is paramount. Cancelling a tour depends on the weather conditions. If the forecast is a light drizzle, then the tour launches at the regularly scheduled time. If there are thunderstorms or any hint of lightning, then the tour is postponed or cancelled. If your tour is cancelled, you will receive a full refund.
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The Siesta Key Tour launches from the Turtle Beach boat ramp on Siesta Key. This area is located at the southernmost end of the island.