Sarasota Clear Kayak Tour

Recommended by 95% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Florida, USA

Great choice

10+ bookings last month.

2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Discover a different side of Florida–and explore its landscape in a more active way than many other tours–on this small-group kayak experience at Sarasota’s Jim Neville Marine Preserve. Paddle alongside mangroves in a totally clear kayak, keep a lookout for dolphins and manatees, and learn about the local ecosystem from your guide. Along the way, go hunting for fossils and shells or take a dip in the water.

Skip the crowds on a small-group clear kayak tour in Sarasota
Explore the Jim Neville Marine Preserve and spot native wildlife
Go beyond simple sightseeing with insights and stories from your guide
All your equipment, including life jacket, is conveniently provided

What's Included

Clear Kayak, Safety Equipment, PFD, Whistle, Paddle, Guide

Water, tip for your guide

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

400 Palmetto Ave, Osprey, FL 34229, USA
Please follow signs to the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. Once there please park outside the black metal gates in the gravel parking lot. Grab your water bottle + walk down the drive way towards the two-story brick home with white pillars. Head to the dock to the left of the home.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Jim Neville Marine Preserve

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Not recommended for travelers with back problems

Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.8

based on 40 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

We had a wonderful...

Amy_T, Feb 2026

We had a wonderful Kayaking experience. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and personableand went at our pace. We enjoyed getting out at the beach at Midnight Pass to see the beautiful contrasting water colors and search for shells. Definitely recommend!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you so much for the amazing 5-star review! We’re thrilled you had a wonderful kayaking adventure with Get Up and Go Kayaking Sarasota. It’s great to hear your guide provided a personable, knowledgeable tour at your pace and that you enjoyed exploring the beach at Midnight Pass, spotting shells, and seeing the stunning contrasting water colors. We truly appreciate your recommendation and can’t wait to welcome you back for another unforgettable guided eco kayaking experience soon!

Sun, Sand, and Shark Teeth!

Lori_H, May 2025

The morning my friend and I visited we were in a group of 10 paddlers, Andy was our guide. He is very knowledgeable and accommodating. Kayaks are as described, clear acrylic with seats placed on the bottom of the vessel for single or tandem paddlers. I would say this is a moderate activity, I was in vigorous heart rate mode during the paddle across the channel coming and going according to my fitness tracker. Once we were in the mangroves steering and paddling was much easier. The lack of water clarity didn't optimize much viewing for beneath the boat but on the surface we saw schooling fish and lots of water fowl. Our destination was a secluded bayside beach with lots of opportunities for shelling and shark teeth hunting, everyone found some and seemed to enjoy themselves. The water temps were perfect for swimming and wading between sandbars. We didn't see any dolphins, manatees or turtles but obviously they are not guaranteed, it all depends on the weather and their feeding patterns. As an experienced kayaker, I enjoyed my experience, although the kayaks are wide compared to standard ocean kayaks. So your shoulders and back are going to get a work out! If you love nature and want to have an experience off the beaten path, I would recommend this experience! Make sure you have sun protection, only use reef safe sunscreen and insect repellants!

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Thank you for sharing your detailed experience! We’re thrilled you enjoyed your Sarasota clear kayak tour with Andy. Paddling through the mangroves, waterways, and to a secluded bayside beach while spotting schooling fish and waterfowl makes every tour unique. Andy loves sharing his knowledge of the local ecosystem and ensuring every guest has a safe and enjoyable adventure. We’re glad you enjoyed the shelling and shark teeth hunting, and appreciate your note about the moderate paddling and the importance of sun protection and eco-friendly products. We hope to welcome you back soon for another eco-friendly kayaking adventure off the beaten path!

mediocre experience

Katherine_R, Jul 2024

The one thing we went on this tour for was to experience wildlife in the water and in the air. The trip was focused more on the mangroves themselves vs the life in the mangroves. We did not see any sea life in our glass bottom kayak. The water was pretty brown. It was pretty disappointing. I know it is unpredictable about manatees and dolphins, but even a few of the smaller creatures would have been nice to see.

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We understand your disappointment in not encountering the wildlife you hoped to see. The dynamic nature of wildlife can sometimes make it challenging to guarantee sightings of sea life and birds. We're sorry that your expectations weren't met during your tour. We aim to provide an enriching experience focused on the beauty of the mangroves, as they are an essential and fascinating part of the ecosystem. Your feedback is valuable, and we will use it to enhance our tours. We hope you'll consider joining us again for another adventure, and we will do our best to make your next experience more memorable.

Likely to Sell Out