Paddle quiet mangrove tunnels off Siesta Key, search for manatees and dolphins, and relax on a newly reopened sandbar at Midnight Pass. This two-hour guided tour from Turtle Beach balances easy paddling with reliable wildlife sightings.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
A low tide opens a corridor of green where roots hang like the teeth of an old map; guides clip life jackets on and push single and tandem kayaks into protected water off Turtle Beach. The mangrove tunnels here tighten and open, the water turning from tea to glass as the group slips toward Jim Neville Preserve and the newly reopened Midnight Pass. Dolphins arc at the edge of the sandbar and manatees graze in shallow channels, unhurried and curious.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; basic paddling ability and the ability to sit for two hours required
Wildlife
History
Midnight Pass and the Siesta Key shoreline have shifted with storms and canal cuts for centuries; recent hurricanes re-opened the pass and altered local currents and sand deposition.
Conservation
Mangroves and seagrass beds are critical nursery habitat—stay on water routes, avoid stepping on seagrass, and use reef-safe products to minimize impact.
Reserve your spot on the Mangroves, Manatees, and a Hidden Beach: Kayak Tour today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Check tide and wind before you go
Calm mornings and rising tides give the clearest water and easiest paddling; wind and outgoing tides can make the open pass choppier.
Use reef-safe sunscreen
This ecosystem is sensitive—apply reef-safe sunscreen to protect seagrass and marine life before launch.
Bring a dry bag and water
Even a two-hour trip benefits from a small dry bag for phone/keys and a 1L water bottle to stay hydrated in the sun.
Respect wildlife distances
Keep at least 50 feet from manatees and follow your guide’s directions to avoid disrupting feeding or nursing behavior.
PFD (life jacket)
Provided by outfitter but crucial for safety on open water.
Dry bag (5–10L)
Keeps phone, keys and snacks dry when landing on sandbars or beaches.
Brimmed hat & polarized sunglasses
Cut glare and sun exposure; polarized lenses help spot fish and manatees below the surface.
summer
Water shoes or reef sandals
Useful for stepping onto sandbars or paddling in shallow, shelly areas.
summer