Last Updated on March 31, 2024
Looking for the best tours or kayak rentals Lido Key has to offer? If so, you’re in the right place!
In this post, we cover the top kayak rental providers and the top guided tours to Lido Key so you can make the ideal choice for your trip.
Crystal clear water, shimmery green light, and a profound quiet await in the magical mangrove tunnels of Sarasota.
It’s an ideal place worth exploring–a majestic world where trunks and branches wall you in, creating fabulous pathways through an over-water forest of twisty trees.
Explore the tunnels by kayak or paddleboard, with a rental, or on a guided tour.
Don’t Have Time To Read The Full Article? Book The Sarasota Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour with a 5⭐️rating
Kayak Rentals Lido Key
Photo credit – Adventure Kayak Outfitters
Looking for the longest kayak rentals Lido Key has available? If so, look no further than Adventure Kayak Outfitters.
This provider offers four-hour rentals for paddle fanatics at the best price point ($35 for a single, or $40 for a tandem).
Rent and launch your kayak from Exotic Mangrove Tunnels on Lido Key anytime from 9 a.m. onward.
Kayak rentals from Adventure Kayak Outfitters include a laminated map with manatee and dolphin sightings so you have the best chances of spotting wildlife on your self-guided tour through the water.
✅ What’s included:
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Four-hour rental of a comfy and stable single or tandem kayak
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A laminated map of the most popular kayak route in Sarasota
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Lightweight paddles
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Clean and comfy personal flotation devices
Address: 190 Taft Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236
Photo credit – Sea Life Kayak Adventures
Another excellent and popular spot to rent kayaks is at Sea Life Kayak Adventures.
This company is run by owners and guides with a background in science and conservation. They also are experts when it comes to Florida wildlife.
If you’re interested in kayak rentals from Sea Life, you can rent kayaks for a half day. Single kayaks cost $39 and tandem kayaks cost $62.
This company is open every day of the week.
They recommend bringing water shoes or flip-flops, polarizing sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, drinking water, snacks, and a dry bag or ziplock for your camera and phone.
Address: 190 Taft Dr, Sarasota FL 34236 (parking spot #5…counting from right to left)
Phone number: +1 (941) 400-2740
Photo credit – Kayaking SRQ
Kayaking SRQ was started by Greg and Kim Gregory, two Sarasota locals with a deep passion for sea life, water, amazing beaches, and sunsets.
You can rent a kayak from SRQ for 3 hours. A single kayak costs $45, a double kayak costs $65, and a paddleboard costs $50.
They recommend bringing water, a hat, light clothing, sunblock, and a towel.
✅ What’s included:
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Paddle
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Lifejacket
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Dry bags for cameras, keys, and phones
Address: Kayaking SRQ Trailer, Ted Sperling Nature Park on Lido Key, 190 Taft Drive, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
Phone number: +1 (941) 799-1863
Photo credit – SURFit USA
Another of the best kayak rentals Lido Key has to offer is from Surf It USA. This company offers single and double kayaks and paddle boards.
One of the benefits of renting from Surf It USA is that they give you a quick intro lesson to paddling after check-in.
This could be perfect for beginners or anyone who hasn’t been out for a while!
Surf It USA offers 2.5-hour rentals. A single kayak costs $45, a double kayak costs $65, and a paddleboard costs $45.
You can even have your kayak or paddleboard delivered to your hostel or your home.
✅ What’s included:
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Kayak or paddleboard
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Paddles
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Dry bags
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A map
Address: Ted Sperling Park on Lido Key; the gateway to the Lido Mangrove Tunnels
Phone number: +1 (941) 952-8245
Guided Kayak Tours Lido Key
Going on guided tours of the mangrove tunnels of Lido Key could be the best decision you ever make.
Nothing beats having a guide who can explain the intricacies of the habitat, point out wildlife, and take you to all the best places to view dolphins, manatees, and seabirds.
If you’re a beginner kayaker, having a guide will also give you an extra sense of security because you’ll have someone giving you basic instructions and helpful tips.
They’ll also be there if you have trouble and need assistance.
Spend a couple of hours on the water enjoying the best Sarasota kayak tour of Lido Key.
This roundup includes the top three most highly-rated kayak tours and one paddleboard tour. All of them have 5-star ratings and rave reviews.
Let’s dive in!
Photo Credit- Sealife Kayak Adventure
Tour Rating: 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Length: 2 Hours Check Rates Here
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Immerse yourself in the beauties of the Lido Key on this Sarasota Guided Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour.
Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced paddler, this tour is perfect.
Not only will you get to escape the crowds in Sarasota, but you’ll also get to see dolphins, manatees, rays, water birds, and more.
Going in a kayak means you can propel yourself quietly through the water, feeling one with nature, enjoy outdoor things, and upping your chances of viewing wildlife.
The guides on this tour do a fantastic job explaining the mangroves, stopping whenever the group wants to take pictures, and making sure everyone has fun.
Here’s what a past guest said about this tour:
“Ian was informative and entertaining. Will definitely go again whenever family comes to visit. Worth every penny.“
Marvin_T ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ What’s included in this tour:
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Local guide
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Professional guide
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USCG Life Jacket
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Lightweight carbon fiber paddle
Photo Credit- SURFit USA
Tour Rating: 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Length: 2 Hours Check Rates Here
Ready for an incredible natural experience? If so, consider booking this Kayak Tour Through the Mangrove Tunnels of Lido Key.
This tour group keeps sizes small so that you can enjoy a more personalized trip.
Start off by practicing your paddling skills in the shallow water of little Sarasota Bay. You’ll get some tips from your guide, then head to the mansions of Lido Key.
This is a great place to see manatees and dolphins. You might also spot cormorants, bald eagles, and osprey as they hunt for fish.
Continue into the real highlight of the tour: the mystical beauty of the Lido Key mangrove tunnels.
As you paddle, you’ll learn about the unique ecosystem and get the chance to see crabs, fish, birds such as great blue herons, and sea stars.
Tip: bring along water, a hat, sunglasses (polarized ones are best), and a bathing suit.
Here’s what a past guest said about this tour:
“We saw five manatees, a dolphin with her baby. Amazing tunnels through the mangroves. Definitely doing this again! Our guide was incredible, both extremely knowledgeable about the mangroves and ecosystem. “
Tom_T ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ What’s included in this tour:
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Guide
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Safety Equipment (Life Jackets, Leashes)
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Double Kayak
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Paddles
Photo Credit- Kayaking SRQ Tours & Rentals
Tour Rating: 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Length: 2 Hours Check Rates Here
Outdoor and nature lovers will have a fabulous time on this Sarasota Mangrove Tunnel Guided Kayak Adventure.
Kick off the tour with a detailed lesson on paddling and kayaking. This will set you up for success and ensure you have the best time ever on this small-group tour.
Head out on the water and start searching for bottlenose dolphins, manatees, stingrays, and eagles with a view of the Gulf of Mexico.
Next, you’ll enter the mangrove tunnels with their tranquil waters, dappled green light, and resident fish and crabs.
The guides are humorous and entertaining. Not only will they keep you safe, but they also crack lots of family-friendly jokes and share about this unique ecosystem.
Travelers love the peaceful tunnels, the vigorous bay paddling, and learning about the ecology and history of the area from their guide.
Here’s what a past guest said about this tour:
“Tour guide David was awesome-great energy, good commentary, and the weather was perfect. I could do this once a week. I highly recommend this tour!”
Austin_G ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ What’s included in this tour:
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A high-quality own kayak and lightweight paddle
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Professional guide with vast knowledge of the area
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Coast Guard-approved life jacket
Photo Credit- SURFit USA
Tour Rating: 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Length: 2 Hours Check Rates Here
Mix up the paddling fun by hopping on a paddleboard rather than a kayak on this Paddleboard Tour Through the Lido Mangrove Tunnels.
This tour starts in Ted Sperling Park. After a quick introduction, you’ll head out into the lovely Sarasota Bay.
Work your muscles and immerse yourself in nature on this tour. While you’re out, keep an eye out for bald eagles, dolphins, and manatees.
This tour is perfect for beginners because you’ll get hands-on instruction and guidance about paddling and paddleboard safety.
Explore the spectacular mangrove forest aboard your SUP.
The guides on this tour provide expert instruction, plenty of fun, and amazing knowledge about the marine life in the area and history of Dowtown Sarasota.
Here’s what a past guest said about this tour:
“Christopher was very knowledgeable in the history and wildlife of the area. Very good at instructing about how to best use a paddle board safely. I loved learning and going through those tunnels was super cool.”
Teri_M ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ What’s included in this tour:
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Safety & Necessary Equipment (Life Jackets, Leashes)
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Stand Up Paddleboard, Kayak, or Double Kayak
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Paddles
Kayak Rentals In Lido Key- Things To Know
Before you rush off to book a tour or rent a kayak, check the tides.
The optimum time to visit the mangrove tunnels is between high and low tide.
That way you will be able to paddle the entire time.
During low tide, sections of the mangrove tunnels won’t have enough water to paddle and you’ll have to walk your kayak or paddleboard through some areas.
During high tide, you might brush the tops of the trees overhead.
Be sure to pack water, snacks, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, water shoes or flip-flops, and a ziplock or dry bag for storing your camera and/or phone.
Keep your phone on silent while in the tunnels to avoid disturbing wildlife and other visitors.
Kayak Rentals Lido Key FAQs
What Is A Mangrove Tunnel?
A mangrove tunnel is where mangrove trees and shrubs grow up above the swampy ground and mingle their branches and leaves overhead, creating a covered pathway above the waterways that wind through them.
Mangrove tunnels usually occur in tropical areas on the coast where the ground is swampy. They are extremely dense and provide perfect cover for birds, fish, and other wildlife.
They are also great spot for humans who want to observe wildlife because they can float through the waterways between the mangroves enjoying the natural splendor without damaging or disrupting anything.
Final Thoughts: Kayak Rentals Lido Key
Whether you opt for a guided tour or a rental, Sarasota’s hidden gem the Lido Key’s mangrove tunnels are worth exploring.
Nothing beats floating down narrow waterways while the strong skinny branches and trunks of mangrove trees wall you in and create a roof of greenery over your head.
It’s a place of tranquility and beauty, a place to simply be, to breathe, and to revel in the spectacle of nature.
You might even see manatees, dolphins, osprey, bald eagles, crabs, stingrays, and jellyfish while you’re dipping your paddle in and out of the clear warm water. What could be better?
Whether you’re looking for top-rated mangrove tunnel tours or the best kayak rentals Lido Key has to offer, I hope you’ve found exactly the right option in this post.
Happy paddling!
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Booking a last-minute trip to Lido Key?
If so, we have you covered. Here are some top recommended hotels and accommodations!
Top Hotels Near Lido Key
Lido Beach Resort – (High-Rated Beach Nearby Resort)
Kompose Boutique Hotel – (Top Rated Boutique Hotel Near Lido Key)
Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach – (Beachfront Resort In Lido Beach)
Gulfview Lido Key Gem – (Sarasota Hotel Near Lido Key Beach)
Looking To Get Around Near Lido Key?
Check out rental car rates here! 🚗
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