C
Thank you Drew! :)
Drew was an amazing guide! Super cool Guy and great experience , would recommend going with surfit:)
Mangrove Tunnel & Manatee Kayak Eco-Tour
+3 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Price from
- $59 / person
- Location
- Sarasota, United States
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 · 1,147 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 38
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- SURFit USA
- Meeting point
- 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.We are the company parked directly across from the bathroom building. Check in with SURFIT.
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.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 9:00 AM, 11:30 AM, and 2:30 PM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 8
- Adult (ages 13+)
- $59
- Youth (ages 3–10)
- $59
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
What's included
Included
Paddles
Safety Equipment (Life Jackets, Leashes)
Government Fees
Single or tandem kayaks or stand up paddleboards (chosen at time of booking)
Not included
(optional, but appreciated--cash or Venmo accepted at the end of the tour.
Please bring your own water. We do not provide it.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
1,147 reviews
How it compares in Sarasota
- No. 3 by number of reviews among 188 tours in Sarasota
- Starting price $59 is 19% below the typical $73 for tours of similar length in Sarasota
Excurgo comparison of 188 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
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).
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mangrove Tunnel & Manatee Kayak Eco-Tour take?
Mangrove Tunnel & Manatee Kayak Eco-Tour lasts about 2 hours.
How much does Mangrove Tunnel & Manatee Kayak Eco-Tour cost?
Prices start at $59 per person for this Sarasota experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 3 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Mangrove Tunnel & Manatee Kayak Eco-Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 AM, 11:30 AM, and 2:30 PM.
Can I cancel Mangrove Tunnel & Manatee Kayak Eco-Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is 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. We are the company parked directly across from the bathroom building. Check in with SURFIT. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Mangrove Tunnel & Manatee Kayak Eco-Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 38 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Mangrove Tunnel & Manatee Kayak Eco-Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 1,147 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by SURFit USA.
Reviews(1,147)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5
Exciting and beautiful
Very nice, the guide was very kind and was able to explain a lot to us👍🏼💯
T
Family experience
Kayaking in the mangroves was a wonderful experience both for my husband and our children. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable very relaxed and friendly. We had a great time. He even spotted some manatees for us and other wildlife. It will definitely be back again. Highly recommend!
C
Chill kayaking
Matt was great. Chill adventure yet just beautiful.
S
Amazing Kayak Experience
Rob and I did the Mangrove Tunnel & Manatee Kayak Tour with friends, and it was truly a 5-star experience from start to finish! Our guide, Drew, was fantastic! He was incredibly knowledgeable, patient with all of us, and always happy to answer our questions. His great sense of humor made the entire experience even more fun and relaxed. Kayaking through the mangrove tunnels was such a unique adventure—navigating the narrow passages while taking in all the beautiful scenery, birds, wildlife, and nature around us. The absolute highlight was spotting a mama, papa, and baby manatee feeding together! They were massive, yet so peaceful and gentle. Seeing these beautiful “gentle giants” up close in their natural environment was something we’ll never forget. Such an incredible experience to share with Rob and our friends. Highly recommend this tour, and if you can, ask for Drew! He truly helped make the experience unforgettable!
1 people found this helpful
S
Excellent Time
We had a very knowledgeable guide and the group was small with only three kayaks. We did see four manatees in the open water. It was a great time and well worth the $60 per person we paid.
Y
Refreshing for the Soul
The mangroves were amazing and our guy drew very knowledgeable, professional and very courteous. It really was refreshing to go and to stop at the small little beach that they had. I recommend recommended to everyone. Drew is amazing.
C
Get out and explore
Great experience in siesta 2nd time doing this. Highly recommend! Kayaked to a little island and found some shark teeth! Great experience and instructor
C
Local family kayak trip
We went on a trip with Aaron for our daughter's birthday. It was both of our kids' first time on a kayak, and I think it went very well. The water was very calm, and Aaron was a terrific guide. Would recommend!
G
Great way to spend time on the water.
The experience was great. Location easy to find and the 2.5 hr paddle board rental was just the right amount of time. I would book with Surfit again if I am in the area.
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from$59
4.9(1,147) Free cancellation