Eco-Tours

Kayak + SUP Tour Times for Spanish Point

Mon thru Sat > 10AM and 2PM (reservations required)

Tour Rates

$55 for adults

$45 for children under 12

Historic Spanish Point – Osprey

(Kayak and/or SUP tours)
Our Experienced Guides shall lead you on a 2 plus hour tour through the most pristine and extensive Mangrove Islands and Tunnels on the Gulf Coast. Paddle the waters Indians inhabited over 5000 years ago and where Sarasota’s First Settlers made their home. One of the most beautiful spots in the region…paddlers will enjoy cruising the shallow, calm waters, exploring the mangrove islands and tunnels or relaxing on one of the many small private beaches while taking in the extensive marine and bird life. A must do while on the Gulf Coast!! 4 Stars!! Water shoes or Flip Flops recommended, water, sunscreen and dry bags recommended (all electronics or valuables should be put in dry bags).

 

SUP Eco-Tours

Tour Times

Mon thru Sun > 9:00am – 4:00pm

SUP Tours

Price per SUP Tour > $55 per board

Book your SUP Eco Tour online!

Island Park – Marina Jacks – Downtown Sarasota

Where Main Street meets Sarasota Bay…Park in southern end of Marina Jacks Parking lot or take a short walk from Main Street. Our Staff shall meet you on the small Public Beach near O’Leary’s Tiki Bar. Island Park shields the nearby waters keeping them flat and perfect for beginning paddlers and enjoyable for experts. Easy access to downtown, a short paddle to Hudson Bayou (the waterways surrounding Selby Gardens) and several flat and protected Canals and the Ringling Bridge make this an ideal spot to explore. Water shoes or Flip Flops recommended as the shoreline can sometimes get muddy. Island Park is the closest you can get to downtown yet still experience Sarasota’s bird and marine life in a safe, calm environment.

Bird Key Park – Bird Key

Located across from Bird Key on the northwest side of the Ringling Bridge is Bird Key Park. This is our most popular launch spot as there is access to a multitude of paddle destinations, Sarasota Bay, Bird Key, Otter Key, the Mangrove Tunnels, Marina Jacks….all within a 15 minute paddle. It is best to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled tour, lesson or rental time as parking is limited but cycles quickly. The water is just a few yards away from your parking spot…and there is shade under the palm trees to gear up and receive pre-paddle instruction. The conditions are clear, shallow and calm..perfect for any level paddler. Locals refer to the channel just off Bird Key as the “Dolphin Highway”….with dolphins playfully cruising by all day from Gulf to Bay and back. A must paddle!!

The Cove – Overlook Park – Longboat Key

On the northwest side of the New Pass Bridge which connects Lido and Longboat Key is Overlook Park. Locals refer to this area as “The Cove” and is a weekend hotspot for boaters to gather at the long sandbar. What attracts the boaters also attracts paddlers as the water is super clear, shallow and flat with a 300 foot sandbar separating the Cove from the Pass. Perfect for learning the ropes and having a dip to cool off. As most of the sites we list…the water is only a few yards away from parking and Overlook Park has a super soft, sandy beach to launch from. Tons of marine life, dolphins, manatees, rays, birds gather here as the Pass empties into the Gulf. This is Rob’s and the SUP Sarasota Race Team’s favorite paddle site!!

Ken Thompson Park – City Island

Another favorite spot for local paddlers due to it’s close proximity to New Pass, the back side of Longboat Key or the shallows of Sarasota Bay, City Island makes our must paddle list. Located at the end of Ken Thompson Parkway just east of Mote Marine Aquarium, City Island is another one of our “park and walk 20 feet to the water” sites. Shady Trees, a bathroom, pic-nic tables and lots of grass to lay your board’s down in make getting ready super easy. Make sure you bring your water shoes or flip flops though, there are lots of small shells that make barefoot walking uncomfortable when launching. The views of Ringling Bridge and downtown Sarasota, quick paddles to the sand bars and tons of marine life make this destination a super unique experience. Gotta check it out!

The Rowing Center – Nathan Benderson Park – University & I75

Paddle the site of the 2017 World Rowing Championships. Nathan Benderson Park is probably the world’s best rowing facility, certainly the newest! Located just south on Cattleman Rd of the newest Mall in America, UTC…Benderson Park almost always guarantees flat water paddling no matter what the weather conditions. Park and launch from a smooth, sandy beachfront on Regatta Island and take a few laps around before testing your distance times in one of the many marked rowing lanes. Super fun experience…flat water, always close to shore, super fast paddling conditions!! And you can go shopping or eat at UTC too after you paddle!!