Some of the best views in Sarasota are from water level. Kayaking and paddleboarding in Sarasota means calm bays, shallow seagrass flats and the famous mangrove tunnels on Lido Key, where the branches close in overhead. This guide covers where to paddle, how tides and wind change the trip, whether to rent or book a tour, and how to give manatees and dolphins the space the law requires.
Sarasota Paddling at a Glance
- Best-known trip: the Lido Key mangrove tunnels, launching from Taft Drive at Ted Sperling Park on South Lido.
- Calmest water: the bay side of the islands, not the open Gulf.
- Best time of day: morning, before the wind picks up.
- Tides matter: some channels get very shallow at low tide.
- Required gear: a wearable life jacket for each person and a whistle or horn. Add a white light if you're out after sunset.
- Wildlife rule: look, don't touch, chase or feed. Feeding wild dolphins is illegal under federal law.
The Lido Key Mangrove Tunnels
This is the paddle most visitors come for. Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach (2201 Ben Franklin Drive) sits at the southern tip of Lido Key, and the kayak launch is on Taft Drive. The park reopened in March 2025 after the 2024 hurricanes, with restrooms and shaded picnic areas near the launch.
From the launch, the trail winds through narrow channels in the mangroves, opening now and then onto small lagoons. It's shaded, quiet and usually calm, which makes it a good first paddle. Look for wading birds, mullet jumping and, if you're lucky, a manatee.
Know before you go:
- Weekends are busy. Tour groups use the same launch, so a weekday morning is calmer.
- Watch the current near the point. Several bodies of water meet at South Lido and the currents can be swift. The tunnels are sheltered, but the open water near the pass is not a place to drift. South Lido is also a no-swimming beach.
- Bring bug spray. Insects can be thick in the mangroves, especially on still days.
- Combine it with the beach. Our Lido Beach guide covers the rest of the island, from the main beach to quiet North Lido.
More Places to Paddle Around Sarasota
Siesta Key and Little Sarasota Bay
The Jim Neville Marine Preserve is a 35-acre mangrove preserve in Little Sarasota Bay, between Osprey and Turtle Beach on the south end of Siesta Key. Visit Sarasota notes manatees, bottlenose dolphins and endangered smalltooth sawfish in the area. Guided tours launch from the Turtle Beach boat ramp, and some Siesta outfitters run tours toward Midnight Pass, including in clear-bottom kayaks.
Downtown: The Bay Park
The Bay Park, on the downtown bayfront, has an ADA-accessible paddle launch on a restored mangrove shoreline, with a spray station and drying rack. Rentals and guided tours at The Bay returned on October 1, 2026, after a construction closure, and The Bay Park Conservancy offers free guided kayak tours on select dates. Check thebaysarasota.org for the calendar.
City Island and Longboat Key
- Ken Thompson Park on City Island, at the end of Lido Key near the New Pass bridge, has kayak and canoe launches and views of the Ringling Bridge.
- Overlook Park on Longboat Key gives access to the Cove, a shallow, quiet area where many paddleboard tours start.
South County Creeks
- Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey: paddle South Creek, a tidal blackwater stream that's good for birdwatching.
- Blackburn Point Park in Osprey: an easy launch with low boat traffic.
- Phillippi Creek: a longer trip of about six miles toward Roberts Bay, with put-ins at Pinecraft Park or Phillippi Estate Park.
Just North: Robinson Preserve (Manatee County)
Robinson Preserve in Bradenton is in Manatee County, about a half hour north of downtown Sarasota. It has a canoe and kayak launch and more than 3 miles of internal blueway trails that connect to Perico Bayou, Palma Sola Bay and the Manatee River. Some trails and a boardwalk were damaged in the 2024 storms, so check Manatee County's page for current closures.
Freshwater: Myakka River State Park
For a completely different Florida, Myakka River State Park east of town is one of the state's oldest parks, with miles of river and lake. The park's outpost has offered canoe rentals. Remember this is freshwater, so alligators are part of the scenery. Call the park before you go, since water levels and storm repairs have affected some areas.
Tides, Wind and Weather
- Check the tide chart. Mangrove channels and seagrass flats can get too shallow to paddle at low tide, and a strong outgoing tide near a pass makes the trip back harder. Outfitters plan around the tides, which is one good reason to book a guide.
- Go early. Mornings are usually calmer. Winter cold fronts can bring a day or two of strong north winds, which makes open bay paddling hard work, especially on a paddleboard.
- Respect lightning. In the warmer months, afternoon storms build fast. Get off the water at the first thunder.
- Check the beach report. Mote Marine Laboratory's free Beach Conditions Reporting System at visitbeaches.org shows conditions at local beaches, including red tide signs. See our red tide guide for how to read it.
Manatee and Dolphin Etiquette
Seeing a manatee surface next to your kayak is the highlight of many trips, and dolphins are common in Sarasota Bay. Both are protected, and the rules are simple:
- If an animal reacts to you, you're too close. FWC defines harassment as anything that changes a manatee's natural behavior. Back off slowly.
- Don't touch, chase or feed. Never separate a mother and calf, and never give manatees water from a hose or bottle.
- Give dolphins about 50 yards. That's the federal viewing guideline, and feeding or trying to feed wild dolphins is illegal under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
- Keep it short. Enjoy the moment, then paddle on.
Rentals and Guided Tours
You don't need a tour to paddle the mangrove tunnels, but a guide is a great idea for a first trip. Guides know the tides, the wildlife spots and the way back. Several local companies rent kayaks and paddleboards and run tours from Lido, Siesta, Longboat and The Bay, and Visit Sarasota keeps a current list. A few tips:
- Book ahead from January through April, especially for weekend mornings.
- Ask what's included, such as life jackets, dry bags and launch location.
- Ask about weather policy. Most reschedule for lightning.
- Check current rates directly with the outfitter, since prices vary by season and tour length.
What to Bring on the Water
On the water you get sun from above and glare off the surface, so cover up more than you would on the sand. If you're paddling from Lido, The Sarasota Style on St. Armands Circle is right on the way:
- A long sleeve sun shirt. The Lido Key TASC long sleeve is light and soft enough to paddle in, and the Sarasota Performance Keys Long Sleeve has a map of the keys on it.
- A hat that stays on. A cap like the Siesta Key Cap in sand beats a floppy hat in the wind.
- Sunscreen and lip balm. We carry Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen Spray and SPF 30 lip balm.
- Plenty of water. A Sarasota Water Bottle keeps it cold for the whole paddle.
- Water shoes and a dry bag. You'll likely step into the water to launch, and dry bags are water resistant, not waterproof, so keep your phone in a pouch too.
Kayaking and Paddleboarding in Sarasota FAQ
Where are the mangrove tunnels in Sarasota?
The best-known mangrove tunnels are on Lido Key at Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach, 2201 Ben Franklin Drive. Kayaks and paddleboards launch from Taft Drive.
Do you need a guide to kayak the Lido Key mangrove tunnels?
No, you can paddle them on your own. A guided tour is a good idea for first-timers because guides know the tides, the route and the best wildlife spots.
Can beginners kayak in Sarasota?
Yes. The mangrove tunnels and the bay side of the islands are usually calm. Go in the morning, check the wind and avoid open water near the passes.
What is the best time to kayak in Sarasota?
Mornings are usually calmest. Check the tide chart too, since some channels get very shallow at low tide.
Will I see manatees or dolphins while kayaking in Sarasota?
Often, but sightings are never guaranteed. Dolphins are common in Sarasota Bay, and manatees are sometimes seen in the mangroves and bays.
How close can you get to manatees and dolphins?
If a manatee reacts to you, you're too close, so back away. Federal guidelines say to stay about 50 yards from dolphins, and feeding them is illegal.
Do you need a life jacket on a paddleboard in Florida?
Florida treats kayaks and paddleboards outside swimming areas as vessels, so you need a Coast Guard approved wearable life jacket for each person and a whistle or horn. You also need a white light after sunset.
Are there alligators in the Lido Key mangrove tunnels?
The mangrove tunnels are saltwater, and alligators live in freshwater. Inland spots like Myakka River State Park do have alligators.
Is Robinson Preserve in Sarasota?
No. Robinson Preserve is in Bradenton, in Manatee County, about a half hour north of downtown Sarasota.
Can you paddleboard in the Gulf at Siesta Key or Lido Beach?
You can on calm days, but the bay side and the mangroves are far more sheltered. Beginners should start there.
Stop by 410 St. Armands Circle before or after your paddle. We're open every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more time outside, see our guides to shelling in Sarasota and the best sunset spots.
Top photo: Fred Hsu, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0.
