One of Sarasota’s best kept secrets is Ted Sperling Park on Lido Key. It’s located on the southern tip of Lido Key, and the park provides many unique opportunities for nature lovers to explore both on land and by kayak. And if you’re looking to see dolphins and manatees, look no further, you’ve found your perfect spot!

Sarasota’s Best Kept Secrets

Sometimes, some of the best places to see manatees aren’t very publicized. That’s the case with Lido Key. Locals and tourists alike have discovered that this area is well liked by manatees due to its shallow grassy waters. If you’re out on a kayak tour, you can usually spot them. And these manatees definitely have no qualms about swimming right up to your kayak, they’re so used to seeing them at this quiet location.

Adventure Kayak Outfitters launch location on Lido Key is perfect for kayakers looking for adventure. Not only does it have the exotic mangrove tunnels offering a few different paths to explore. But it also has many picturesque views and of course many different types of native wildlife, both aquatic and airborne.

Sarasota’s Best Kept Secrets

Ted Sperling Park isn’t only home to manatees, but also native dolphins. They are often seen frolicking about, and they too aren’t shy. Many times they seem to be putting on a show for us or will follow our kayaks around for a bit. They’re so much fun to watch playing around in the water!

When you take a kayak tour with our experienced native guides, they can help to point out both dolphins and manatees, and take you to the spots you’re most likely to see them. While we can’t control nature, we usually do see them on our tours. It’s best to keep your eyes peeled and not miss anything. Our tours will definitely provide a memory to last a lifetime!

When you take a kayak tour with Adventure Kayak Outfitters along Sarasota’s Lido Key, you’re taking a little kayak in paradise. Sarasota is world famous for its Siesta Key Beach, but along the Gulf of Mexico is this hidden treasure called Lido Key, a beautiful little estuary in Sarasota Bay, which is home to many different types of wildlife, and we are proud to show it all off on our kayak tours.

kayak in paradise

Sarasota Bay is located between the keys (or barrier islands) which separate the Gulf of Mexico from the mainland of Florida, making it so popular for guided kayak tours. This is mainly due to the marine life that lives here and the many mangrove islands which protect it. In the local ecosystem you can find dolphins breaching, and manatees; that not only enjoy the shallow water and canal systems, but enjoy eating the sea grass the shallow water provides.

In addition to the manatees and dolphins, there are plenty of native birds such as pelicans, herons, egrets, osprey, roseate spoonbills, hawks and bald eagles. You can often see snook, sheepshead, pufferfish, sea stars and many other fish which these birds feed upon too.

Once you head into the protective and exotic mangrove tunnels, a whole other world awaits. It’s quiet and filled with nature at the same time. The shallow waters are filled with crabs, as well as crabs crawling upon the mangrove branches; there are fish and snails in the water too. It’s a learning experience for sure. Our experienced native Floridian guides will fill you in on all there is to see and learn about. By the time you’re done, you will become well acquainted with the creatures that call this ecosystem home!

The original Adventure Kayak Outfitters launch location on Lido Key in Sarasota is just minutes from Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice. Book your tour today, and don’t forget your camera!