Sarasota Secret Beach Paddling and Wildlife Adventure

Just a few minutes away from all the hustle and bustle of Sarasota is our favorite local beach, Turtle Beach. It is only a few short miles from the main Siesta Key beach to Turtle Beach and the Sarasota County trolley will drop you right there. Not only is this area such a beautiful and quiet place, it is also a great place to paddle!
We start on the intercostal and paddle down a short canal to the Bay. We paddle around the mangrove islands through a mangrove tunnel or two and alongside a bird rookery.

We paddle around the mangrove islands of Jim Neville Marine Preserve and then to a "secret" beach. This beach is only accessible by boat so we may have it to ourselves. Such a beautiful place for a quick swim or just stopping for a few moments to relax. You may want to stay here all day.

This location is home to all kinds of wildlife including manatees, dolphins, beautiful sea and shorebirds and lots of fish.

Meeting Point

Turtle Beach

Turtle Beach, Florida 34242, USA

Once you enter Turtle Beach park, go straight until the stop sign. Turn left. The public boat launch will be on your left. Find parking anywhere inside Turtle Beach Park.

What's included:

• Double Kayak
• Paddles
• Safety Equipment (Life Jackets, Leashes)

Not included:

• Launch Fees

What to expect:

8701 Blind Pass Rd

The tour starts at the Turtle Beach Boat Launch. We start by paddling in the intercoastal waters on Sarasota Bay. This is a great place to get used to the equipment and also a great place to see manatees (during spring and summer months, mostly). Our tour takes us through a canal and into the mangrove islands of the Jim Neville Preserve. Stay alert for beautiful shore and seabirds along the way. With fishing jumping all around you, our goal is to spot dolphins and manatees that frequent the area to feed. Keep your eye open for ospreys, bald eagles and cormorants--all of which are often hunting for fish. As we wind our way around the mangrove islands and through mangrove tunnels we head toward the highlight of the tour. We pull our boats onshore and wander over the sand dunes to a quiet and isolated beach. This is a great place to stretch your legs, take a swim in the clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico or look for shells.
Youth rate is for kids 10 years old and under. Youth paddlers will be in a tandem kayak with an adult.

Kayak Launch Fees are $5.00 per boat and will be collected by the vendor upon check-in.