Top Sarasota Outdoor Activities

Glide through the water in an illuminated glass-bottom kayak on a private nighttime tour of Sarasota. Learn about Sarasota’s coastal ecosystem as you paddle over mangroves and grass flats, viewing marine life such as dolphins and manatees. Plus, exploring with your own personal guide means you’ll enjoy undivided attention.

Experience a whole new side of Florida on this private guided kayaking tour around the waters of Siesta Key. The LED lights fitted to the bottom light up the nighttime waters and the transparent kayaks let you see under the water like never before. Keep a lookout for manatees, dolphins, and other marine wildlife while you paddle through the night.

You will explore the Gulf Coast and the beautiful back bay. We will cruise the crystal clear waters to look for manatees grazing (seasonal) and dolphins playing. At a low tide you can often view wading birds on the exposed grass flats. Bring your day to a perfect end by watching the sun's magnificent reflection on the water as it slowly sinks beyond the horizon. *We have a 6 passenger minimum for our public tours to leave the dock, in the unlikely event that we do not meet that requirement we will do our best to reschedule you or give you a full refund if your trip is unable to go out.*

Immerse yourself in Sarasota's coastal mangrove forests, look out for dolphins and manatees, and practice kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding skills on this immersive, small-group tour. After departing from the Turtle Beach Boat Launch, paddle out on Sarasota Bay and practice with your equipment. Then, head into the mangrove islands of the Jim Neville Preserve for your best chance to see local marine life including dolphins.

This lesson provides everything beginners need to go parasailing above Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria Island: all parasailing equipment, safety instructions, and a motorboat with an experienced crew. Meet at the Bradenton Beach Marina, get harnessed up, and parasail in groups of two or three, soaring up to 400 feet (120 meters) in the air—the highest allowed locally.

Don’t miss out on your chance to spot manatees on your Bradenton trip—book a slot on this tour and walk with a guide who knows all the best locations to maximize your chances so you get a leg up on the other tourists. While you walk, your guide also shares fun facts about the animals and conservation efforts in the area.

Discover a side of Florida most tourists will never see on this guided nighttime kayaking tour around the waters of Anna Maria Island. The LED lights fitted to the bottom of these transparent kayaks light up the dark waters and let you see the world hidden below. A guide is on hand to make sure everyone is safe and having fun.

Explore the waters of Anna Maria, Florida with the help of an experienced naturalist for a guide to help you spot manatees in the wild. Paddle your way around the waterways with a local to tell you all about the area’s ecosystem as you sightsee on the water. Stop at Beer Can Island to explore on land too.

Increase your chances of spotting manatees and dolphins during an eco-friendly kayak tour of the Lido Key in Sarasota. Ideal for lovers of nature and wildlife, this experience lets you escape the crowds on land and is suitable for both beginner and advanced paddlers. Plus, traveling in a non-motorized vessel means you’re less likely to scare away animals.

We have been avid explorers of Myakka River State Park for the better part of two decades and have been operating tours for nearly 5 years so our knowledge and expertise of the park and it's wildlife inhabitants is unmatched! Our guides are also extremely proficient in photography so you will leave with plenty of great photo mementos at no additional cost! Perhaps what makes our experience the most unique is that our top of the line E-bikes allow you to choose how much effort you put into the ride. Put your assist level low and get some exercise or allow the bike to do all the work and see the entire park sweat-free.

Enjoy one of Florida's best beaches at sunset on an electric bike tour. With 5-level pedal assist and an on-demand throttle, the electric bike allows you to put in as much or as little effort as you want as you ride along Siesta Key. All experience levels are welcome. Booking in advance ensures you won't miss out on this small-group tour.

With this small-group tour, get on the water and kayak along Sarasota Bay to the world-famous Lido Key mangrove tunnels. After a detailed paddle and kayak operation lesson, venture into the open water. Search for wildlife encounters with manatees, dolphins, stingrays, eagles, and other animals before kayaking through clear water under the protective canopy of mangrove forests.

Explore the waterways of Sarasota Bay, Bird Key, and Lido Key on a compact two-seater catamaran. Discover a new side of Florida on these unique little speedboats, soaking up the sun and scenery. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and other marine wildlife as you enjoy the ride.

Try your luck spotting dolphins in their natural Florida habitat on this group boat tour around Anna Maria Island. And don’t keep your eyes peeled for just dolphins—you’re in with a chance of seeing manatees, eagles, osprey, and more. Whether you’re a Holmes Beach local or you’re just visiting, this is an experience nature-lovers won’t want to miss.

Experience a sunset to remember with this kayaking tour alongside local marine wildlife. Paddle next to dolphins and look out for local species of birds nesting on islands as you pass by. Learn all about the behavior and habitat of these animals from your guide as you observe them and soak up the Florida sunset on the water.

Everyone has kayaked during the day—but at night, it’s a whole new experience. Your easy-to-maneuver kayaks are equipped with powerful LED lights that illuminate the water beneath you, allowing you to see underwater sea life in a whole new light (pun intended). This family-operated tour offers the perfect balance of serenity and adventure as you paddle through Sarasota’s beautiful waterways while searching for marine life below. With the water glowing beneath your kayak, you may spot fish, crabs, stingrays, and other fascinating sea creatures. No two tours are ever the same, making every trip a unique experience. Come discover Sarasota’s nightlife - on the water.

Soar over the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico in a parasail on this exciting excursion in Sarasota. Join a small group and board your vessel to sail out towards Anna Maria Island. Then, gear up and begin your flight above the island and the Gulf, taking in the surrounding sights from a bird's-eye view.

Watch the sunset over Anna Maria Island, then paddle into the night in a glowing clear kayak, lighting up the water beneath you as marine life moves below. Glow Boats offers a one-of-a-kind kayaking experience in 100% clear kayaks illuminated with some of the brightest LED lights in the area, allowing you to see the water and marine life beneath you as you paddle through calm coastal waters and scenic mangrove tunnels after sunset. The tours take place near Neal Preserve, making them beginner-friendly and ideal for a relaxed, scenic paddle. The combination of a stunning Gulf Coast sunset, glowing clear kayaks, and peaceful mangrove tunnels creates a unique two-in-one adventure. With small group sizes and knowledgeable local guides, guests enjoy a more personal and immersive way to explore the waters near Anna Maria Island. Glow Boats is a locally owned, female-owned small business.

Look out for local wildlife above and below the water from your seat on a clear kayak on this small-group paddling tour through the Sarasota mangroves. Let a guide lead the way so you don’t have to worry about navigating—instead, you spend the tour focusing on trying to spot dolphins, manatees, and seabirds.

Happy Paddler is the only kayak outfitter with private launch access to the beautiful waters between Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, avoiding crowded public boat ramps. This gives you a relaxing start to the adventure and more time to enjoy any wildlife you encounter. Happy Paddler always limits tours to groups of 12 or less, allowing you to enjoy more time to explore and much better opportunities for manatee and dolphin encounters. Larger groups can be accommodated. Our expert naturalist guides will lead you through shallow coastal waters, mangrove shorelines and islands while looking for manatees, dolphins, rays, sea turtles and coastal birds. Wildlife sightings vary, but opportunities are outstanding year-round and our guides know exactly where to look. This excursion is perfect for families, couples, groups, and individuals with any level of paddling experience. For visitors to Anna Maria Island or Longboat Key looking for the best wildlife adventure, this is it!

Discover the beauty of Anna Maria Island on this 2.5-hour Public Sandbar Trip. Cruise through the beautiful local waters to Jewfish Key or another popular sandbar, depending on tides and conditions. Once there, swim, wade in the shallow water, or simply relax and enjoy time with family and friends. Dip nets are provided for guests who want to explore the shallow waters and see what they can find. You’re welcome to bring drinks and a small cooler. Along the way, enjoy beautiful views and keep an eye out for dolphins, manatees, rays, sea turtles, and coastal birds. Wildlife sightings are always a bonus and cannot be guaranteed. A fun, laid-back way for all ages to experience Anna Maria Island from the water. 2.5-hour public sandbar trip Swim, float, wade, and relax Visit beautiful local sandbars Family-friendly and great for groups

Upgrade your kayaking experience in a glass-bottomed kayak that lets you see Anna Maria Island's marine life up close. From starfish to manatees, the area is full of exciting sea life you might encounter, and your guide knows the best spots to search for them. A clear kayak ensures you're getting the best view possible.

On this self-guided bicycle tour, you’ll discover how an unlikely cast of characters – from a Fig Newton millionaire, to platform divers who dodged sharks – transformed a barrier island into a beloved community. You’ll encounter the island’s famous “mosquito jail” – a 1927 lockup with barred windows but no glass, where biting insects proved more effective than bars at deterring crime. You’ll pedal past the Roser Memorial Church, built by Charles Roser, who created the Fig Newton cookie and the process to make it then sold his creation Nabisco for a million dollars in 1890 Along the way, you’ll learn about the making of Hollywood’s 1948 film On an Island With You, and explore Bean Point where the island’s first homesteader settled in 1892. You’ll also ride past sites devastated by 2024’s hurricanes and discover how this community of 1,000 residents rallied to rebuild.