Manatee Discovery Anna Maria Island
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Sarasota, USA
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Your guide is on hand to make sure you’re safe and having fun
- Look out for other wildlife like dolphins and ospreys too
- Beginners are welcome
- See a side of Florida most tourists won’t
What's Included
- Kayaks
- Paddles
- Life jackets
- Dry bags
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 1507 Gulf Dr S, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217, USA
This tour is out of the Captain Scott Moore Boat Ramp at 1507 Gulf Dr S Bradenton Beach, FL 34217. There is additional parking across the street in the Coquina Beach NORTH Entrance.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Travelers should bring their own water and snacks
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 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
Featured review
Ruth_W
Our tour guide Andrew was fantastic, very knowledgeable.
Explained some unusual vegetation, fish, and saw some different types of crabs. Of course, we caught some starfish, but couldn't keep them. He was also entertaining with his jokes
Reviews
5.0
based on 607 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Katie_R, Aug 2026
Our booked tour was cancelled due to adverse weather, but it was well communicated and offered options to reschedule, which we did without issue for the next day.
Lachlan was our tour guide and got us set up with our Kayaks and equipment. He was very friendly and put everyone at ease, including those who had little or no experience of Kayaking. We had a great time exploring the area and unfortunately we were not lucky enough to see any dolphins or Manatee, but Lachlan did take us to many areas to look. We also visited the beautiful beer can island and another area where we could get out of the Kayaks, have a swim and see some other marine life such as a spider crab and conch, which Lachlan found to show us. Lachlan was extremely knowledgeable on the area and wildlife, sharing some very interesting information as we went. Post tour he also shared a location which we visited later that day and got to see many wild manatee.
5 star tour and experience. Would recommend.
Marc_W, Aug 2026
Great guides and a fun and beautiful excursion. We didn't see any Manatees but we did see a dolphin up close so that was really neat. The area is really pretty and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
After the tour, the guides told us where to go to see Manatees and one of the guides went there to make sure we knew what to do. There were about 10 of them there so, in the end, we got to see our manatees!
Kim_B, Aug 2026
We didn’t see a manatee but really enjoyed paddling across the bay, up a canal with mangroves and to an island for a walk. All in all a very good experience and our guide Lacklan was very informative and kind.
Angie_G, Aug 2026
We had the best time! Our guide, Kinsey, was patient, funny and knowledgeable. Blaze and Emmitt were super friendly and did a great job corralling all 24 of us. They worked hard to ensure we saw manatees and had a great time. I’m looking forward to kayaking the sunset tour with them next time. Thank you, Kinsey, Emmitt and Blaze for a fantastic last day of our vacay!
Ann_C, Aug 2026
The guides were very knowledgeable and told interesting facts not just about manatees. We had a wonderful experience.
Marina_S, Aug 2026
10 out of 10 points!
It was easy paddling in finest turquise water, 100% Meeting / watching Manatees. The 4 guides Logan, Emitt, Blaise, Lachlan super Mega nice and told us many interesting facts about The animals.
Later The Trip stopped at a paradise Beach with time for fotoshooting and bath.
Summary - An absolute fantastic Adventure, very recommendable
Thankyou, boys
Ronnie_P, Aug 2026
We had the best guide, super friendly and knowledgeable. Was able to follow a manatee for a while, and the memorial tree was an extra bonus.
Aurora_W, Aug 2026
Was super fun the guides were very personable and even let us have some beach time! Got to see plenty of manatees and dolphins
Lisa_S, Aug 2026
We had so much fun! The guides Lockland And Jackson were fabulous and so knowledgeable! The manatees were hiding this day but the dolphins came to play with us and we saw lots of other sea life along the way! Highly recommend this company!
Abbey_W, Aug 2026
Kinsey was a great guide for an amazing tour! He was humorous and enjoyed the wildlife as much as we did. Great to be on the water and enjoy nature. We’d come back for sure!
Jennifer_F, Jul 2026
It was a wonderful experience! We saw lots of manatees and even a school of dolphins, feeding with their young! Our guide, Jonah, was wonderful and very personable and shared some interesting information about the local animals.
Elizabeth_S, Jul 2026
The best thing I did on vacation! There were three adults and two teens and we all had an incredible time, even though we were first time kayakers. Ben, Jonah, and Blaze were amazing guides. Shout out to Andrew for scouting head so we could see so many manatees.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Incredible!!! We are thrilled this was the best thing you did on vacation!!! Thank you!!!
Heather_B, Jul 2026
Logan was our guide and also the reason we had a great experience. He was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot while kayaking. We saw dolphins and manatees up close and personal. Thank you Logan for giving the Iowans a great Florida experience.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Fantastic!!! We are thrilled you saw dolphins and manatees up close with Logan!!! Thank you!!!
Erynne_M, Jul 2026
Our tour guide was very friendly, funny and knowledgeable about the area. The weather was not on our side for our original date and Tommy did a good job of coming up with a back up plan for us to be able to do our experience.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
We always do our best to openly communicate the weather conditions with our guests to make sure you get the best possible weather conditions if the original time had a hard weather forecast! We are happy you a great experience with our team!!! Thank you!!!
Sherri_W, Jul 2026
As first time kayakers with 12 and 13 yr olds, we were told this would be easy and doable even as beginners. This was not the case at all. Once we were about half way, according to the guide, we still had a ways to go before returning back. We saw a couple crabs, 1 manatee and 1 dolphin from far away. In the pictures on their website it looks like you will be taken CALM area where you will see the manatees up close and personal...not the case. The excursion was difficult and we barely finished. The guide left the 4 of us behind as he went in to dock. Supposedly this was a 3 mile adventure. The waters were rough even the small boats were having a hard time in the water. I would not recommend taking young children or anyone that is unfit. This was not an easy excursion. Bring your water, snacks, sunscreen, towels, and a back up person to row.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello Sherri. As the owner, I have personally reached out to you multiple times following this feedback with no success.
I was present when your tour launched and landed to ensure good customer service and organization. Before your tour, you receive life jackets, dry storage, a paddling introduction for beginners, and clear instructions of where the tour was going.
Your group of four had one adult and one kid in each double kayak. The tour of 12 total people had two experienced guides, one in the front of the group and one in the rear. You launched onto the inner coastal next to Anna Maria Island. The water was flat and the wind was light. The only possibility for waves was from a boat passing by.
We are happy you saw some wildlife even if it was from a distance. Your group naturally moved slower than the rest of the tour because the adults were providing a majority of the paddling power with the kids in the front not helping much. As a result, you were not able to get as close to the wildlife as the rest of the tour. To accommodate for your slower speed, one guide stayed back with your group specifically. The tour made stops on multiple sandbar and beach areas where you were able to rest and pick up shells and small marine life.
Your guide stayed with you the whole time on the tour. As you reached the dock at the end of your tour, your guide landed first with you not far behind so he could assist you landing your kayak and offer you a helping hand. At no point were you carelessly unattended on the water. I personally watched this from the dock.
When each kayak on the tour landed, I personally asked everyone how their experience was. I received no connotation from anyone in your group that you had a difficult experience. If you had let me know you had such a hard time, I would have given you further assistance and even refunded you.
I would love to have the opportunity to further connect with you. Please consider reaching out for further customer service.
Brendan_H, Jul 2026
Logan was a great tour guide. We had 2 other guides with us who were also helpful. We saw 2 manatee and dolphin swimming just beneath/beside us. A little walk on an island with some pretty shells was a nice little break before kayaking back. The water was calm. Beautiful views. The whole family really enjoyed it.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Great wildlife encounters!!! We are so happy you enjoyed your tour with Logan and the guides!!! Thank you!!!
Jeff_D, Jun 2026
Fun couple of hours kayaking the bay and walking the beach/shoreline looking for manatees and dolphins. Kinsey was a great guide, very informative and easy going. We spotted a baby dolphin learning to hunt with its mother as well as a few manatees. Even without the wildlife, the kayaking alone was worth the money. 10/10 would recommend.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Excellent!!! We are so excited about the baby dolphin and manatees!!! Thank you!!!
Danielle_K, Jun 2026
We loved this day! We saw manatees and got to hold sand dollars! Andrew was the best! Two thumbs up!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Amazing!!! Thank you!!!
Elizabeth_K, Jun 2026
Very knowledgeable and lots of fun 👍 saw lots of manatees and crabs ..laughter all about.. kudos to Jack and Collin 👍👍👍
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Wonderful!!! Thank you!!!
Haley_M, Jun 2026
Andrew was our guide along 2 other guides. Our kayak trip was fun and entertaining. We took our 2 kids with us and got to see dolphins, a couple manatees, and other wildlife. We also got out of the kayak at a sand bar. We had a great time!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Outstanding!!! We are so excited you saw manatees and dolphins with Andrew and the other guides!!! Thank you!!!
Chris_K, Jun 2026
Fun way to see nature! We were able to see manatees and dolphins. The guide was knowledgeable and very polite.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Excellent!!! We are so excited you had a great encounter with manatees and dolphins!!! Thank you!!!
Kelli_A, Jun 2026
ReBooked the tour online the night before. No problems. Ben was our guide and he did not disappoint. Very informative on the tour and his excitement was contagious. Would highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Wonderful!!! We are happy you had a great trip with Ben!!! Thank you!!!
Allison_G, May 2026
The tour guides are extremely knowledgeable and welcoming. They also were very conscious about protecting the wildlife which we loved! We got to live our life long dream of seeing manatees in the wild. Additionally, we saw dolphins, fish and all kinds of wildlife!! Blaze was epic.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Amazing!!! We are so excited to fulfill your dream of seeing manatees in the wild!!! Thank you so much!!!
Darci_S, May 2026
This experience was the highlight of our vacation and we got to see 5 different manatees!! The tour guides did a wonderful job and provided fun facts and information about the different animal species we encountered. 10/10 experience!!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Spectacular!!! We are thrilled about your manatee sightings!!! Thank you so much!!!
jeremy_M, May 2026
We joined Ben and Jackson on the tour and they were superb guides.
Both super helpful, knowledgeable and genuinely passionate in imparted all their knowledge and love for the area and its abundant wildlife.
We saw Manatee, dolphins, crabs, Conch and other interesting creatures which without going on this tour we would have been oblivious.
Ben gave us a great tip on where to see further manatee and it proved to be brilliant.
We all had a great time.
Thanks guys.
Jay, Esther, Jorge, Tom and Georgie
Response from Host, May 2026
Outstanding!!! We are stoked about the plethora of wildlife you encountered with Ben and Jackson!!! Thank you so much!!!
Michael_W, May 2026
Ben and Jackson did a great job engaging with our kayak tour. They were knowledgeable and made sure we had a great trip. They were able to find us great manatee sightings. Be prepared for some work paddling, especially if it’s windy.
Response from Host, May 2026
Great!!! We are so happy you had great manatee sightings!!! We always do our best to take specific tour routes to explore calm areas if the wind is a little high. Thank you!!!
Diane_K, May 2026
This was not a leisurely trip, it was scenic but be prepared to work hard. We saw a couple manatees from a distance… don’t be fooled by the photos in the ad we were not allowed to get close enough to take pictures like that the entire trip felt rushed… the
Tour guides were very friendly, but at the end they left my daughter and I behind, and were too busy asking for tips to notice. :( we stopped at a pretty beach, but again it felt very rushed by the time we had water and ate a quick snack it was time to get back on the water.
Response from Host, May 2026
Diane, I have tried reaching out to you since you left this review but received no response.
I as the owner was personally guiding the tour that launched before your tour. I spoke with each guide involved in your tour experience to gather the details of your tour.
Your group arrived late and held up the rest of the guests. The tour got launched nearly 30 minutes late as a result. You brought two adults and three young kids. We put one adult in a triple with two of the kids and you with your daughter. You and the other adult were providing most of the paddling power for the whole tour with young kids in the kayak. The adults in your group did a great job paddling for your group! Near the end of your tour the guides landed first so they could provide assistance to everyone getting out of the kayaks. You and your daughter were behind the group with another one of our tour groups while this was happening. You were not left alone and the guides communicated with the tour guide behind them to watch you and your daughter because you were naturally moving a little slower. As for the manatee sightings, I (the owner) personally guided the first manatee tour of the day. We spotted two manatees on the coast and immediately communicated the wildlife location to your tour guides. We made sure your group was able to kayak to see them. I personally saw the two manatees near your tour group and your tour guides pointing and engaging the guests. The manatees did not come under your kayaks like many of the photos online. Manatees are very protected and we have to respect their space. During most of your interaction the manatees were next to a set of boulders on the beach. We are not going to disrespect the manatee's space and pin them between our kayaks and the rocks. It is our duty to observe them without changing their behavior.
To recap, I happy you were able to see manatees and scenic area we love! I (the owner) am proud of the extra work and communication the guides made to accommodate your group's extra needs and give everyone on your tour the best service and wildlife encounters within our power! Please reach back out to me if I can further assist you. Thank you!
Rebecca_N, May 2026
We had an incredible time seeing the wildlife of Florida. The guides really made the experience so much more enjoyable with their knowledge and quick wits.
Response from Host, May 2026
Amazing!!! We are so excited about your experience!!! Thank you!!!
Jon_H, May 2026
Very friendly and knowledgeable guides working together to maximize our experience, we highly recommend booking an outing.
Response from Host, May 2026
Awesome!!! Thank you!!!
Kelly_S, Apr 2026
Guide was very knowledgeable, committed to finding lots of wildlife for us to see. Location was beautiful.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Wonderful!!! Thank you!!!
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per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Manatee Discovery Anna Maria Island
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