A little fresh air never hurt anyone, right? Plus, spending time outside, with friends or loved ones is good for you. So whether you’re here on spring break, live here, or are visiting for the season, it’s a great time to break away from the news and get outside on a kayak tour with Adventure Kayak Outfitters! We’re located just minutes away from the best beach in the country, Siesta Key Beach.

Get Outside on a Kayak Tour

Our tours are for everyone, you don’t need any previous experience to enjoy our kayak tours. We begin each tour with a brief instruction from our experienced native Floridian guides. Our guides are trained to provide you with clear and helpful instruction in just a few minutes! Each guest is provided with a coast guard approved life vest and you’ll be on your way. We want kayaking to be fun and adventurous for you, as well as a learning experience about our beautiful little slice of paradise that is Sarasota.

This is the most popular kayak tour in Sarasota for a reason. Our mangrove tunnels are protected from the wind and sun, and the channels where we kayak are shallow manatee zones, which not only make it safe for us, but also for manatees. This is why we typically see not only manatees on our tours, but dolphins as well. These shallow flats are full of sea life.

This kayak tour is perfect for all ages from young to old, making it the perfect family outing. So it’s time to get out and get some fresh air, away from all the crowds, and enjoy all that nature has to offer. Our kayak tours bring you up close and personal to some of nature’s most beautiful creatures! To book your kayak tour with Adventure Kayak Outfitters, the original kayak outfitter, visit us online.

 

There are some fun February Events here in Sarasota! Tis the season for snowbirds and vacation week is going on up north, so there are quite a few things happening down here! It’s always a great time to kayak with us on Lido Key, but if you’re looking for some other things to do when you’re done kayaking, check out these events below.

The 22nd Annual Thunder by the Bay Music and Motorcycle Festival is back at the Sarasota Fairgrounds this weekend. The festival is for the benefit of Suncoast Charities for Children and honors our Veterans, Active Duty Military, and First Responders. There is a $5 gate admission, and children 12 and under are free.

The fun starts on Friday the 14th (Valentine’s Day) from 5pm until 10pm with Continuous Live Music. So bring your lawn chairs and enjoy! There will be over a hundred vendors and a craft beer garden.

Saturday the festival runs from 10am to 10pm with Freestyle Acts, a Burnout Contest, Continuous Live Music and More!

Sunday, the final day, the festival runs from 10am to 6pm with Freestyle Acts, a Burnout Contest,  Continuous Live Music, a Charity Ride and More!

For tickets and more information, visit them online.

Spring Training

It wouldn’t be February without the return of Spring Training! We are lucky to have several locations for Spring Training right here in our backyard!

Cheer on the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota as they play the Boston Red Sox in their home opener on February 23rd.

There is free access to watch players work out in the back fields from 9:30am to 12:30pm each day. Parking in the East Lot is free as well.

Get all of the information on their Spring Training as well as tickets on their site here.

The Pittsburgh Pirates train right down the road in Bradenton at Lecom Park. You can find their schedule here.

Winter break is almost here, whether you’re a local or here to visit, it’s a great time to schedule that kayak tour. Vacationing in Sarasota for Winter Break is an adventure. There are many reasons that make it fun, read more to see why!

When you vacation in Sarasota for Winter Break, there are many things to see. First of all the manatees! They are here year round, but when the weather gets cooler, they tend to migrate to the shallow waters. They also stick together in groups and use their body heat to help each other stay warm. Our native Floridian guides know the perfect spots to find manatees. Remember, they are wild animals, so we can’t guarantee that you will see them, but we usually do.

When the weather up north gets cold, the birds migrate south. For us this means the return of some birds we usually see during the winter months. We’re used to seeing pelicans, but it’s a treat to see the American White Pelican.

Vacationing in Sarasota

Kayaking is great during any time of the year, but when you’re here for winter break, it’s a great treat to do something you can’t do while you’re home. Our guides will make sure you have a great time out on the water. Between seeing manatees, our native birds, some fish and see stars, you’re also likely to encounter the bottle nosed dolphin too! Having them put on a show for you while you’re out on the water is quite the treat!

Taking a kayak tour in the exotic mangrove tunnels is a lot of fun too. The mangroves are a very important part of Florida’s ecosystem. From providing a home to small fish, to sheltering the mainland; especially during weather events such as hurricanes, the mangroves are an important part of Florida’s landscape and are important for us to protect.

Your experience while on a kayak tour with Adventure Kayak Outfitters will be both full of adventure and fun! Book your tour today!

Happy Holidays

There’s always something fun to do in Sarasota, and when the holidays come around, there are even more things to do! Check out this list below so you can find and plan which festivities you want to attend.

Weekend of December 6th

Holiday Night on St. Armands

St. Armands Circle proudly presents “Holiday Night of Lights”. St. Armands is THE holiday destination, on the Gulf Coast of Florida, as the Circle magically comes to light and life with grace and elegance.

Lakewood Ranch Main Street

The street is lined with food vendors, beer trucks, and sponsor booths, as well as rides and activities for the kids presented by Grace Community Church. Proceeds from the event will benefit a local non-profit organization each event.

Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade

The Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade is an tradition that draws an estimated 25,000 spectators. The parade includes more than a thousand participants, floats, and – in vintage Sarasota fashion – circus wagons! Santa and Mrs. Claus plan their annual beach vacation to coincide with the parade each year — so stick around to say hello to the parade’s guests of honor from the North Pole! The parade kicks off at 7:00 p.m. at the east end of Main Street at Washington Blvd, and travels west to Gulf Stream Avenue, running approximately two hours.

Lido Beach Holiday of the Arts

Lido Beach transforms into an outdoor gallery of extraordinary original handmade fine art, created by the works of local, regional and national artisans. Explore a spectacular tapestry of art woven from creations in painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, glass, ceramics, fiber and wearable art, mixed-media, metalwork, woodworking and more.

Holiday Market

The markets will take over the parking lot with 50+ local makers on December 7-8th from 11 AM – 5 PM. Shop from handmade jewelry, body products, candles, holiday decor, and more!

Weekend of December 13th

Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

The Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights (6:00 p.m.) is an annual tradition celebrating more than three decades of festive floatin’ on the waters of Sarasota Bay. An armada of approximately two-dozen brightly-lit boats, ranging from small water crafts to luxury yachts, set the bay a-twinkling with fun holiday decorations and seasonal tunes. Pull up a folding chair along the shore at Bayfront Park or Centennial Park and enjoy this aquatic-take on a holiday classic!

Weekend of December 20th

Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources is hosting the 15TH ANNUAL Breakfast with Santa!

This popular children’s event will include a breakfast buffet, holiday music, a toy giveaway, holiday crafts, a gift raffle and of course, a visit from Santa himself. (Parents or caregivers and families should accompany children.)

Thursdays in December

Deck the Halls of Ca D’Zan

Deck the Halls of Ca D’Zan is a special holiday edition of The Ringling’s year-round Art After Five offering (Thursdays, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.). Enjoy after-hours tours of the Ringling’s 1920s Ca D’Zan Mansion with its halls decked for the holidays.

 

Who’s ready for an experience you won’t forget? When you book a kayak tour with Adventure Kayak Outfitters, the original kayak outfitter in Sarasota, Florida, that’s exactly what you’ll get. Whether you’re an expert on a kayak or a beginner, it doesn’t matter, we’ve got you covered.

Experience You Won’t Forget

Kayaking on Lido Key, a barrier island in Sarasota, is quite the experience. It’s a beautiful little island located right on the Gulf of Mexico. You get to experience the beautiful blue waters of the gulf, and the calm peaceful waters of Sarasota Bay. That’s the best of both worlds!

Kayaking is a great way to get out on the water. Being so close to the water allows you to see and experience so many of the great marine life southwest Florida has to offer. Having a guided tour gives you an up close and personalized experience with many of the creatures that call this area home. Our guides are local to the area and are well versed in their locations and habits so they’re able to give you the best viewing opportunities possible.

Adventure Kayak Outfitters has tours that are perfect for people of any age. The calm bay waters make kayaking accessible for everyone. Parents can rent tandem kayaks so children don’t have to paddle alone, children can double up. It’s up to you. Sarasota is the perfect place to make family memories that will last a lifetime! This is the perfect place to plan a day for an experience the whole family won’t forget. What’s better than a relaxing trip in paradise? Just remember the camera to capture it all!

Take some time while you’re here in Sarasota to have a different type of experience on the water. Book your tour and get your vacation started today! Your adventure begins here.

Sarasota has so many different options for all ages to adventure. Whether you’re a beach goer, a person who loves to shop, one who loves to wine and dine, or one who has a taste for adventure. On the west coast of Florida, this little slice of paradise has it all! When you embark on a kayak adventure with Adventure Kayak Outfitters, you’re getting an adventure, whilst exploring the simple side of Sarasota.

Here on Lido Key, life is simple. The turquoise blue waters lap at the shore, while shore birds wade looking for fish and other food. The beauty and simplicity of it all is like no other. While Lido Key is only a short distance away from the hustle and bustle of Siesta Key Beach, and the shopping of St. Armand’s Circle, it’s a whole different world here. Here, you’re surrounded by nature and beauty and the sounds of the gulf.

Simple Side of Sarasota

Your guided kayak tour will take you through the shallow protected waters of Lido Key. Here you will encounter many different types of marine life such as dolphins, manatees, sea stars, turtles and so many native sea birds. As you follow your native Floridian guide into the famous Sarasota Bay around Otter Key, you will become acquainted with the creatures that call this ecosystem home.

Simple Side of Sarasota

Then as you navigate your way through the exotic mangrove tunnels, your world is again transformed into something new. A shady and cool retreat which so many wildlife call home, which serves an important role in this precious ecosystem.

This is the most popular kayak tour in Sarasota for so many reasons. See a different side of Sarasota, just bring your camera, some sunscreen, clothes you don’t mind getting wet, some water and maybe a snack, and of course, your sense of adventure! Your adventure begins here!

 

Kayaking Lido Key is a beautiful experience, it’s fun, it’s adventurous and so exciting! With all the beauty and wildlife around there’s so much to enjoy, and we can’t forget to mention the scenery! Florida boasts some of the most beautiful scenery around, there’s a Kodak moment waiting for you around every corner! You can experience all of this when you kayak the beautiful barrier island of Lido Key.

There’s no better place to come relax, soak up the sun, take in the gorgeous views, and see some amazing marine animals than on the west coast of Florida in the Sarasota area. Lido Key is located just minutes from Siesta Key, often named the number one beach in the country!

Kayaking Lido Key

When you have a kayak tour on the beautiful Lido Key, you’re kayaking in one of the most beautiful mangrove landscapes in all of Florida. While you kayak through these exotic mangrove tunnels, you’re kayaking through a natural waterway and estuary of Sarasota. This tour is a perfect choice for families because of its shallow and calm water. The mangrove tunnels offer an escape from the hot sun during the summer months and allow you to enter a whole new world almost. Here you get up close and personal with these tropical beauties.

The mangroves are protected themselves, and are so important as they:

  • Provide a nursery to young fish
  • Serve as a coastal barrier during coastal storms and hurricanes
  • Provide nutrients to the marine ecosystem
  • Provide shelter to the marine life that live in them

Once you exit the mangroves and are in the shallow waters of Sarasota Bay, you can see marine life such as dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and different types of fish, sea stars, sea cucumbers, and many different types of marine birds. This is an exciting opportunity for the whole family! Schedule your adventure with Adventure Kayak Outfitters today!

 

Spring Break is right around the corner. It’s a great time to head down to Sarasota, visit the beautiful Siesta Key Beach, hang out with friends and go on a kayak tour! What better way to relax with nature, take a much needed break from school while hanging out with friends, than on a kayak tour?

Spring Break

You can see the light at the end of the tunnel, school is almost done for the semester and it’s time to refresh. A kayak tour on beautiful Lido Key nestled in the Gulf of Mexico in Sarasota, close to Siesta Key Beach is just what you need to relax and have some much needed fun. Grab a bunch of your closest friends for an adventure filled trip you won’t soon forget!

Your kayak tour will get you up close and personal with some beautiful wildlife. We typically see bottle-nosed dolphins. They call our area home due to the warm shallow waters. We also see manatee, they love the sea grass we have in addition to the shallow water. We have plenty of exotic birds including pelicans, herons, egrets, hawks, egrets and roseate spoonbills. You can also see turtles and sting rays, as well as many different types of fish jumping about. We can’t control the wildlife we see, but these are some of what you can see on a typical day out.

Our journey into the exotic mangrove tunnels is a whole other experience. It’s quiet and serene, it’s shaded too. The mangroves are home to crabs and sea stars. The mangroves have different paths which lead you into the sun-filled grass flats of brushy bayou and Big Grass Lagoon.

Come and discover an eco kayak tour into the shallow protected waters of Lido Keys, a unique experience during your Spring Break, one you won’t soon forget. Book your tour today!

As much as we love kayaking, spring is in the air in Sarasota. And guess what that means? Spring Training is back in town! Now’s a great time to get up close and personal with your favorite players and catch a training practice or even a game while some of your favorite teams are here!

Spring Training

Here’s where you can catch all the action around the greater Sarasota area:

The Baltimore Orioles train right here in Sarasota. Their first home game is on Saturday, February 23rd and they host the Minnesota Twins. They play at Ed Smith Stadium. Here’s a complete list of their 2019 Spring Training Schedule.

The Pittsburgh Pirates play right next door in Bradenton, and Garth Brooks is even in town this week, as an added bonus! Their 2019 Spring Training schedule begins with their home opener at Lecom Park against the Miami Marlins on Sunday, February 24th. Here is their complete Spring Training Schedule.

The Tampa Bay Rays play in Port Charlotte which is a bit south of Sarasota. Their games are played at the Charlotte Sports Park. Their home opener is on Friday, February 22nd against the Philadelphia Phillies and is the kick off game for Spring Training! See their complete schedule here!

If you’re open to a bit of a drive, catch the New York Yankees in action in Tampa at Steinbrenner Field.  Their home opener is Monday, February 25th against the Toronto Blue Jays.  Their Spring Training Schedule is here.

And if you’re really up for a drive, catch the current World Series Champions Red Sox at their Spring Training Facility located in Fort Myers at JetBlue Park at Fenway South. They open their Spring Training Schedule hosting the New York Yankees on Saturday, February 22nd!  Their complete Spring Training Schedule is here.

It’s time to play ball!

There’s no better feeling than teaching someone something new. Kayaking itself is something special, but giving someone the encouragement, whether older or younger, to kayak for the first time is so exciting! You’re never too old to try something new, don’t forget that.

Try Something New Like Kayaking

Kayaking is a special sport or activity. Maybe it’s the peacefulness of it all. Is it looking out at the beautiful blue water? Is it the smell of the crisp clean ocean air? Or maybe it’s the excitement of what’s to come. It’s an adventure, and for many it’s a new adventure! There’s anticipation of where you’ll go, what you’ll see. Being out on the water brings a whole new perspective, peace, wonder, bewilderment.

There’s so much to learn about on our kayak tours. Sarasota is home to so many different types of wildlife.  We see many bottle nosed dolphins while we’re out. They love to call our area home. We also see manatees. This area is perfect for them due to the shallow grassy waters. There’s plenty for them to feed on. We see sea stars and jellies. There are many different types of fish and we also see turtles. There are so many birds between eagles and hawks, egrets and pelicans, herons and osprey, you have to keep your eyes open, there’s always something to see!

When we dip into the exotic mangrove tunnel, it’s a whole other adventure. It’s quiet but for the sounds of the crabs on the mangroves, and our paddles hitting the water of course. It’s shady and cool in there too.

The Sarasota Kayak Tour is perfect for all ages and no experience is required. We love what we do and it shows in our fantastic tours by our expert guides. Your kayak tour will get you up close and personal with dolphins, manatees, exotic birds, and other wildlife. Bring your camera and your friends! Don’t wait, book your tour today!