Kayaking with coastal wildlife in Sarasota Bay
Description
We are the only paddling outfitter with kayak access to this spectacular area in the clear waters between Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, which means no crowds and more exclusive wildlife viewing opportunities! Wildlife-viewing here is outstanding! Our expert naturalist guides set the gold standard for hospitality in our beautiful corner of the world and are always very respectful of any wildlife encountered on the tour. While larger groups can easily be accommodated upon request, we always limit our tours to small groups and we are rewarded with a very relaxed and happy group of paddlers. This excursion is perfect for families, couples, groups, and individuals with any level of paddling experience. First-time paddlers are always welcome. If you are looking for an incredibly relaxed and memorable adventure during your visit to Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, this is it!
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(29)
Our guide, Alan, was great! Very knowledgeable and patient. I highly recommend Happy Paddler for your next adventure. We will definitely book with them in the future.
At the end of our week on Anna Maria Island, all four of us stated that this was our favorite activity of the week. Shane was an awesome guide, showing us many different creatures in the air and in the water. He did a great job giving everyone equal attention and keeping us safe on the water. The pace was good for all members of the group. We are sad that it was cloudy, so we didn't really see the sunset for our Sunset Kayaking, but it was still a fun cruise and a wonderful experience. Highly recommended!
Thank you so much for this wonderful review. It means a lot to hear that your Sunset Kayak Tour was the favorite activity of your week on Anna Maria Island! While we always hope for a colorful sunset, Sarasota Bay has a way of creating memorable experiences even on cloudy evenings! I'm so glad I helped make the trip enjoyable, safe, and interesting for everyone in your group. Thank you for spending part of your vacation with us, and I hope our paths cross again someday.
Saw manatees and dolphins and birds! Moderate kayak depending upon the tides. Bring water and sunscreen.
Thank you for joining us on the water! Seeing manatees, dolphins, and birds all in one trip is always a treat, and we're glad you got to experience that side of Sarasota Bay. We appreciate the helpful tips for future paddlers as well. Thanks again, and we hope to see you back for another adventure.
Allen was a fantastic guide! Local guy that knows all the history and the best spots. Super friendly. Encountered a couple manatee and dolphin pods that were fun to watch. Clean shop and kayaks. Highly recommend this outfitter for any guided kayak tours around Longboat Key!
Thank you for the kind words! Alan will be happy to hear you enjoyed your time with him. One of the things we love most about paddling around Longboat Key is that every trip offers something a little different, whether it's wildlife encounters, local history, or just a beautiful day on the water. We're grateful you chose to spend part of your vacation with us and appreciate the recommendation.
I went on this kayak trip with a friend and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Well worth our time!
Thank you! We're so glad you and your friend enjoyed your time on the water and found the experience worth your while. We appreciate you joining us and hope you'll come paddle with us again the next time you're in the area!
My two sons (9 and 12 y) and I had a great small group tour through the mangroves with Happy Paddler and our tour guide Jeff. Jeff was extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife and the history of the mangrove park and made the tour so much fun for me and the boys. We had a great time out on the water. I highly recommend!
Thank you so much for sharing this. We love introducing families to the mangroves, and it sounds like Jeff found the perfect balance of fun and learning for you and your boys. The mangrove tunnels are such a unique place to explore, especially through the eyes of curious kids. We’re so happy you had a great experience and appreciate the recommendation.
Communication, kindness and knowledge are key elements when choosing an activity while on vacation! Happy Paddler has all of those positive elements and more!
What a wonderful compliment! Thank you! We know that good communication, genuine hospitality, and knowledgeable guides are what can turn a kayak trip into a life-long, memorable experience. We're grateful you noticed those details and chose to spend part of your vacation with us. Wishing you many more perfect mornings ahead.
Fantastic experience. This was the 1st time we had ever kayaked and Jeff was a stellar teacher and guide. We learned about sealife, birdlife, and mangroves. So, not only was the tour fun, it was very educational! Thanks for your mango book suggestion, too.
Thank you for such a thoughtful review. We're so happy to hear that your first kayaking experience was a fantastic one. Jeff has a wonderful way of helping guests feel comfortable while sharing the fascinating wildlife and ecology of the area - he is awesome! And we're glad the mango book recommendation made the trip memorable too! Thanks for paddling with us.
My Family and I had a great time! My husband and I with our 3 kids (8/10/13). We did two tandem and our 13 year did the solo one. When you launch, there is shallow water to practice before going to the mangrove tunnels. Also, 6+ have to have a life jacket on. The gentleman was very informative and so nice. I prefer Happy Paddlers kayaks over other.
Thank you for bringing your family out with us! We love seeing parents and kids enjoy the water together and it sounds like your crew was up for the adventure. We’re glad the shallow launch area helped everyone get comfortable before heading into the mangroves. Thank you for the kind words about our team and equipment :) we truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to see your family again on a future visit.
Jeff was a great guide through the mangroves. His knowledge and stories were very informative. We really enjoyed our time
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful review! We’re so happy your group had a great time kayaking with Jeff — he’s an incredible guide and loves sharing stories and facts about the mangroves and local wildlife. Paddling through the mangrove tunnels is always a highlight! We certainly hope to have you back for another Happy Paddler Kayak adventure!
