Mangrove Tunnel & Manatee Kayak Eco-Tour
Description
Paddle into one of Lido Key’s most unique eco-adventures: the mangrove tunnels. This guided kayak tour takes you through calm, winding waterways where mangrove branches create shaded “tunnels” overhead—quiet, beautiful, and full of life. Along the way, our friendly local guides share fun, easy-to-understand info about the mangrove ecosystem and help you spot wildlife like coastal birds, fish, rays, and—when they’re around—manatees and dolphins. Booking is simple: reserve by the number of guests in your group, and the type of watercraft you prefer (single kayaks, tandem kayaks or stand up paddleboards). Our goal is to keep everyone comfortable and having a great time on the water. What sets us apart: We're Hawaii transplants who brought our love for the ocean to Sarasota. We're the only outfitter offering kids' programs and maintain a 5-star TripAdvisor rating. Note: Guides may make changes to routes and equipment based on conditions and safety.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- ARRIVE 15 MINUTES BEFORE YOUR BOOKING TIME. The time on your booking is your launch time — when we push off from the beach. Check-in, gear fitting, and your safety briefing all happen before that. If you arrive at your booking time, the tour is already starting.
- Bring water. We do not provide water or snacks. Florida heat is no joke — bring at least 16 oz per person, more in summer.
- Wear clothes and shoes you are comfortable getting wet. Water shoes or flip flops work.
- Bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses with a strap.
- We provide a small dry bag for your phone and keys. All other items (towels, change of clothes) should be left in your car.
- Parking is available. However, give yourself extra time during weekends or holiday time periods (i.e. spring break).
Reviews(1,058)
Great experience! J.J. was a knowledgeable guide. He did an excellent job of tell us about the history of the area. We really enjoyed our tour!
Fantastic time with Sea Biscuit
Had such a great time on this mangrove kayak tour! Our guide, Sea Biscuit, was super knowledgeable about the area and made the whole experience really fun. We took our time on the water and he'd stop whenever we spotted wildlife along the way, so it never felt rushed. Just a chill, relaxing morning out on the water. Would absolutely do this again and recommend it to anyone visiting Lido Key.
Joe was a fantastic guide with a lot of knowledge.
We started our journey with Seabiscuit! He is a very knowledgeable and jovial guide. Along the way he showed us different animals and had fun trivia questions. When we have other friends visit, I hope I can request for his tour.! we didn’t see a manatee, but he promised if we didn’t he would jump in the water and pretend to be one it was worth it. Good fun.
Matt Ryan, our guide, was wonderful! Helpful, informative, really competant. Thouth the mangroves at the south end of Siesa Key, to Midnight Pass and back. Really fun and really nicely done. Do the trip!!
The guide was an amazing guy I believe he went by Sea Biscuit as a stage name of some sort, but he was exceptional, and would recommend this to everyone should they be in the state.
Aaron was very accommodating and helped us reschedule our tour. Once we did our tour Matt was our guide and was absolutely amazing! We had so much fun w family and friends.
We booked with Surfit Our tour guide was with “sea biscuit” Darrell Poole this man wears many hats outside of just being a tour guide. Very knowledgeable in the ecosystem, marine and wildlife. Incredibly funny and just all around great experience!!
We had a great experience at Lido Key. Sea Biscuit was an amazing guide he had so much knowledge of the area and the ecosystems, and mangroves. We also learned amazing facts about the mullets and other marine life.
