Manatee Discovery Anna Maria Island
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Sarasota, USA
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
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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
Supplied by
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 490 reviews
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.
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.
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!!
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!!!
SarahE_W, Apr 2026
My 3 friends and I had a great time seeing manatees, dolphins, finding sand dollars and crabs on the sandbar, and enjoying the views of the Bay. Tour guides were local and had great personalities. We kayaked 3 miles, so be prepared for a great arm workout! Made for a great memory on our Anna Maria girls’ trip!
Lori_M, Apr 2026
Great and fun experience! Tour guides were fun and helpful! Was a fun experience to do friends, quite the arm workout:)
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Great!!! Thank you!!!
Ruth_W, Apr 2026
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
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Fantastic!!! Thank you!!!
DebbieWeinbel, Apr 2026
Great day on the water! Lots of paddling so I was happy to share a kayak with my husband. The guides were so friendly and knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Awesome!!! Thank you!!!
Jacqueline_D, Apr 2026
This was my favorite part of my whole vacation to Anna Maria Island. Seeing manatees in the wild was amazing, especially to see them so close
To our kayaks. We followed two manatees to an island which was truly breathtaking. The guides were friendly, and made the experience awesome. Definitely recommend!!’
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Phenomenal!!! We are thrilled this was your favorite part of your vacation to Anna Maria Island!!! We are so excited about your manatee encounter!!! Thank you!!!
susanne_s, Apr 2026
This was worth every penny! Guides were so fun and knowledgeable. Saw manatees and dolphins plus beautiful seabirds
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Excellent!!! We are so excited you saw manatees and dolphins!!! Thank you!!!
Edith_B, Apr 2026
The tour was amazing! We traveled down the coast on our kayaks with a herd of 13 manatees swimming under us and around us. It was so cool! Lachlan, our guide was so friendly and informative. He made it an adventure! He even let me wear his polarized sunglasses so that I could see the manatees and the other sea life crystal clear. I suggest wearing polarized sunglasses! Great experience!! Prior to launching, I shared with the group that I had just gotten news of the death of a friend the day before and this was the last thing that we talked about, so I was determined to do it. Ben, the other gentleman with the tour, came up to me a few minutes later and told me that they were refunding the cost of my tour. These are compassionate, kind human beings. Thank you, Ben and Lachlan!!.❤️❤️❤️
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We are thrilled you had a great experience with the manatees and guides!!! We are sorry for your loss and are happy to have made your day better!!! Thank you!!!
Sandra_A, Apr 2026
We had a great experience on the Manatee Discovery tour! Locklin and Blaze were both incredibly knowledgeable and made the whole outing really enjoyable. Even though we didn’t end up seeing manatees at the first spot, they went out of their way to offer taking us to another location afterward to make sure we had the opportunity—such a kind and thoughtful gesture.
Highly recommend this tour! Just note that you do need to be somewhat active to fully enjoy the experience.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Great!!! We are very happy about your experience with Lachlan and Blaze!!! We are excited you used our second opportunity to make sure you saw manatees with us!!! Thank you!!!
April_W, Apr 2026
We had a great morning kayaking through Robinson’s Preserve. Due to windy conditions, we met there and enjoyed seeing lots of birds and a snake. Unfortunately, we did not find any manatees but the guides offered a second spot where we could see a few (we did not go). Andrew and Blaze were fun and informative guides.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We are glad you had a great morning kayaking through Robinson Preserve!!! We always do our best to help make sure you see manatees with us and will happily take the extra step to go with you to a second location to make sure you see manatees!!! Thank you!
Sara_J, Apr 2026
We had a fantastic time! My husband and I took our 3 young kids and the company was more than accommodating! The guides (Ben, Jackson and Andrew) were amazing- very knowledgeable about the area/wildlife and also so kind/interactive with our kids! We were lucky enough to see both dolphins and manatees on our tour. Would highly recommend for a family activity!!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Fantastic!!! We are so happy you saw dolphins and manatees with us!!! Thank you!!!
Candice_R, Apr 2026
Kayaking can be strenuous at times but overall great experience.
Saw dolphins and manatees. Tour guide very knowledgable about wildlife. Went to spots that were picturesque.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Excellent!!! We are thrilled you had an exciting encounter with manatees and dolphins!!! Our tour guides do their best to help you navigate the currents and take you to picturesque locations! Thank you!!!
Mellissa_M, Apr 2026
This is not a leisurely kayak trip. You will have to work it at times, not like white water rafting, but when going past the bridge the current is strong. Our guide, Ben, was so knowledgeable about the area, the wildlife and even about the snail and some huge clam like thing we found on the sandbar. He was so nice, funny and really seems to enjoy what he does. He made sure that nobody got left behind, that everyone was okay, when we had moments to slow down, he encouraged everyone to drink some water. He even made sure everyone had water and kept offering us his- if someone didn't have enough. We were able to see a manatee, even if only for a few seconds. But it's wildlife, so they can't control it. The guide that went out before us would call Ben and tell him where they saw one, so that's where we headed. We stopped on the sandbar, that was really nice as well. It was a great adventure ( even our 18 year olds enjoyed it!) and I would definitely recommend!!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We are very happy you had a great adventure with Ben as he guided you through the waters and showed you the different wildlife and scenery the area has to offer! Thank you!
Diane_F, Apr 2026
Tour guides were awesome! Funny, engaging, informative and strong as i needed help getting and out of the kayak. Would not recommend for seniors as activity level is high!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We are pleased you had a great experience with your tour guides! Our guides always make sure everyone of all ages and abilities are well taken care of. Thank you!
Sue_P, Mar 2026
We had a great time! We had a group of 8 people with 5 kids so one kayak had two kids. One guide stayed either them and coached them the whole way back as the waters were a bit choppy. The guides were very knowledgeable about the area and gave very informative tidbits. 10/10 would recommend.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Outstanding!!! We are thrilled your group and many kids had a great time and got plenty of information about the area!!! Thank you so much!!!
Elizabeth_E, Mar 2026
Our guides were very friendly, but knew very little about the natural history of the area. We knew we might not see manatees, but the guides didn't explain anything about why they hang out where we were paddling. The guides were young, but had very little information to share.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hello. After I read this review I called you and we talked. I appreciated your time getting on the same page. I understand your frustration with not getting enough information. Your tour had 6 small kids and you didn't see manatees on the water. We did make sure you had an experienced guide show you several manatees free of charge at an extra location after your kayak tour. Thank you for your feedback!
Tim_L, Mar 2026
The team were very friendly and made sure everyone had a good time. Well worth the money. Fun trip for family and good excersise for all.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Excellent!!! Thank you!!!
Sara_R, Mar 2026
We saw many dolphins, one manatee, and many other creatures! Very fun and informative! Our guide was very funny and made sure everyone was having fun.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Wonderful!!! We are so happy you saw the manatee, dolphins, other wildlife, and had a fun and informative time with your guide!!! Thank you!!!
Anna_M, Mar 2026
Great family excursion. Had to pivot locations due to windy weather but still enjoyed our time. Ended up at the Robinson Preserve since it was protected from the wind.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Great!!! We always do our best to put our guests in the best position to have the best experience possible given the weather conditions! Thank you!!!
Melanie_M, Mar 2026
Tommy and Blaze made this whole experience. They were informative, helpful, patient, and funny! Their passion for what they do is evident. Tommy’s knowledge and enthusiasm for manatees and the ocean life were fascinating and contagious. This was a 10/10. Every family or group should try this. I was also leery of going in a kayak in the ocean, but these two brought peace and joy to the trip!!!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Excellent!!! We all take great pride in what we do every day!!! We are so happy you had a great experience with us!!! Thank you!!!
Mary_C, Mar 2026
The guide was so patient. Full of information and knowledge .. felt very safe on the water with him. You never know how nature is going to participate.. but we did see dolphins and manatees!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Awesome!!! We are so happy you saw manatees and dolphins with us!!! Thank you!!!
TeresaO_B, Mar 2026
Did not do the kayaking experience but the staff and service provided was awesome. Instead we we did a walk tour. Viator is highly recommend they truly work with u to have a great experience. Thank you Viator!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Awesome!!! Thank you!!!
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