Best Places to Kayak (Sarasota, Bradenton: rentals, live in, centers)

[pdm_ad]

We are getting ready to make our annual trek to Siesta Key and this time I am bringing the kayak. For those of you into kayaking, where do you go or what is your favorite spot and why? I am mainly into sight-seeing but I will bring along my fishing pole and I am open to driving to a spot from Bradenton down thru Venice.

One spot I found on Google maps is on the north end of SK that has public parking and a little beach. Directly across a channel is the south end of Lido Key and a park which looked interesting.

[Big House]

Originally Posted by pdm_ad

We are getting ready to make our annual trek to Siesta Key and this time I am bringing the kayak. For those of you into kayaking, where do you go or what is your favorite spot and why? I am mainly into sight-seeing but I will bring along my fishing pole and I am open to driving to a spot from Bradenton down thru Venice.

One spot I found on Google maps is on the north end of SK that has public parking and a little beach. Directly across a channel is the south end of Lido Key and a park which looked interesting.

I'm not that familiar with places to go yet myself, and I'm further south than that, so I won't be much help! I have a funny kayaking story, I'll go see if I can find it for you. I'll post the link below.

Some people have already read this, so I hope it doesn't bore anyone.

Here is the link:
/forum/sarasota-bradenton-venice-area/644028-funny-story-manatee-joke-me-post8730543.html

[pdm_ad]

Ugh, getting sprayed with Manatee dung doesn't sound like something I want to experience. I will give them a wide berth. Thanks for sharing, I missed that post.

[Big House]

Originally Posted by pdm_ad

Ugh, getting sprayed with Manatee dung doesn't sound like something I want to experience. I will give them a wide berth. Thanks for sharing, I missed that post.

I really don't think that happens very often. I just startled it, and got what I deserved as a result. I shoulda been more careful.

[angelfish]

Here is a cool site, even if you don't use their services, looks like they do their tours in some neat locations to give you some ideas. Kayak Sarasota with Biotica EcoTours: Providing kayaking and hiking ecotour adventures in Sarasota Florida

Also, there is a kayak launch close to where I live in Phillippi Estate Park Recreation Centers

[pdm_ad]

Thanks Anglefish, great links! I followed the Recreation Centers link and they had a link to maps of all the launch points in Sarasota County, including the one I was referring to in the original post.

A couple of other spots sounded interesting as well such as the Neville Marine Preserve and Palmer Point. Anybody hit these spots?

And to clarify further, I will probably stay in saltwater/brackish areas since I get a lot of freshwater time up here in the Ozarks

[KayakAdventures]

Hands down, the best place to kayak in the Sarasota greater area is off of South Lido.

Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures [URL="http://www.kayakfl.com"]www.kayakfl.com[/URL] offers fully-guided eco tours and rentals that travels through the shallow, protected waters of Little Sarasota Bay with minimal influence from wind and currents. You will paddle through a series of mangrove tunnels and lagoons that are abundant with sealife. Along the way, there are a variety of live shells, crabs, sponges, sea stars (starfish) along the mangrove roots, and some of Florida’s tropical birds. You will also travel just north to Otter Key, a large protected mangrove island, where manatee and dolphin frequent the area.

Check out thier website - [URL="http://www.kayakfl.com"]www.kayakfl.com[/URL]. There are lots of photos and a video of the area.