Things to do in Sarasota
The unmissables
Most booked
Sarasota: Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour & Wildlife Spotting★ 4.96 (2,769) · 2h
Top rated
Sarasota Mangrove Tunnel Guided Kayak Adventure: Paddle wildlife★ 4.95 (1,319) · 2h
Best value
Siesta Key: Mangrove Kayak Tour, Manatees & Midnight Pass★ 4.88 (1,142) · 2h
Recommended (7)
Siesta Key: Electric Bike Sunset Tour & Beach Ride★ 4.90 (1,107) · 2hUS$ 71View ›
Sarasota: City Trolley Tour & Ringling Museum with Selby Gardens★ 4.82 (1,017) · 1h 30mUS$ 86View ›
Sarasota: Clear Kayak LED Night Tour & Shell Collecting★ 4.67 (635) · 1h 15mUS$ 65View ›
Anna Maria Island: Manatee Kayak Tour & Wildlife Spotting★ 4.95 (609) · 2hUS$ 55View ›
Myakka: E-Bike Safari & Canopy Walkway with Wildlife Stops★ 4.90 (503) · 2h 30mUS$ 85View ›
Anna Maria Island: Dolphin Sunset Boat Tour Sarasota★ 4.92 (420) · 2hUS$ 58View ›
Anna Maria Island: 2-Hour Dolphin Sightseeing Tour & Wildlife★ 4.91 (415) · 2hUS$ 55View ›Top rated (10)
Anna Maria Island: Sunset Kayak Tour with Dolphins & GuideYou’ll paddle calm waters near Anna Maria Island as dolphins swim nearby and local birds settle for the night. Guided by someone who knows these waters well, you’ll catch golden hour light on the Gulf Coast and share quiet laughs with your group. Expect gentle adventure—and maybe a moment or two you’ll think about long after you’re dry again.
Robinson Preserve: Mangrove Kayak Tour & Tower ClimbYou’ll paddle through Robinson Preserve’s peaceful mangrove trails by kayak with a local guide, spotting birds and fish along calm waterways. Climb the wooden observation tower for sweeping views and snap some photos before heading back—there’s something about that salty air and green silence that sticks with you.
2-Hour CraigCat Sightseeing Tour in SarasotaA 2-hour sightseeing tour on a CraigCat catamaran—a compact, dual-control powerboat for two—takes you through Sarasota Bay, past Lido Key and Bird Key with an operator guide. Life jacket, waterproof bags, dry wind jacket, cooler with water and fruit cups are included; you must arrive 20 minutes early for water safety instructions and be at least 5 years old. The driver needs a valid license and, if born after January 1, 1998, must pass a quick online boaters test before booking.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to pilot the boat yourself rather than sit as a passenger—the dual controls mean you and one other person both steer, which is what makes a CraigCat different from any other catamaran tour in Sarasota. It's built for two, so it suits couples, close friends or parent and child who want to share the helm.
Pedal Kayak Tour Sarasota: Hands-Free Paddling in Sarasota BayA guided pedal kayak tour in Sarasota where you pedal like a bicycle instead of paddling, exploring Sarasota Bay's mangroves, sandbars and marine life with a small group of up to eight. The tour launches from Bird Key Park and runs two to three hours with an ACA-certified guide, dry bags for your phone and keys, and tandem or single kayaks available. Pedal kayaks are beginner-friendly and stable, with comfortable seating that works well for people with mobility concerns.Is it for me?Choose a tandem pedal kayak if you want to share the tour with a partner or friend; pick a single kayak if you prefer to pedal at your own pace. The pedal design means you don't need paddling experience or upper-body strength—it's built for people who want to explore the water without fighting a paddle.
Kayak and snorkel tour Sarasota: Dolphins, manatees, shellsA 2.5-hour kayaking and snorkeling activity in Sarasota where you paddle tandem kayaks to a shallow island oasis, then snorkel in clear water to spot fish, starfish, conchs, sand dollars and crabs. The guide points out dolphins and manatees along the way, and you search the sandbars for shells afterward. Masks, snorkels, paddles, life jackets and kayaks are provided; children from age 7 are welcome.Is it for me?The paddle out and the snorkel time both demand moderate fitness and comfort in the water—if you're an active paddler or a confident swimmer, the shallow island and the clear marine life make the effort worthwhile. Bring your own water and snacks, as none are provided.
Sarasota: Amish Trolley Tour with Quilt Shop & Pie TastingYou’ll ride an air-conditioned trolley through Sarasota’s Pinecraft neighborhood with a local guide who knows everyone by name. Taste fresh pie at Der Dutchman, see real Amish quilting at Alma Sue’s shop, and browse handmade crafts at Carlisle Inn. This isn’t just sightseeing — it feels like stepping quietly into another world for an afternoon.
Parasailing Bradenton Beach: 400 Feet & 10-12 Min FlightYou board a state-of-the-art boat at Bradenton Beach Marina, receive a safety briefing from a licensed captain, then get lifted 400 feet above the Gulf of Mexico for 10 to 12 minutes of flight time. You can request an optional water dip on descent, spot dolphins and sea turtles below, and take in views of Anna Maria Island and the Skyway Bridge. The entire experience lasts up to 90 minutes, includes all equipment, and departs every two hours from 8 AM to sunset.Is it for me?Book this if you want the highest altitude and longest flight time available in the Tampa Bay area without arranging your own boat or worrying about safety—the USCG licensing and 15+ years of perfect operations mean you're in the hands of Florida's most established parasailing operator.
Murder Mystery Trolley in Sarasota: Help Solve the CrimeA 90-minute interactive murder mystery on a trolley departing from the Discover Sarasota Tours Trolley Cottage, where you help solve the crime by reading a script or wearing a prop among the suspects. Everyone participates—there's no passive watching—and you arrive 30 minutes early to get a complimentary drink at the Tiki Bar before boarding.Is it for me?This is a shared experience with other passengers and performers, so you're playing a suspect alongside strangers—if you want to participate actively and don't mind reading lines or wearing a prop in front of a group, it's straightforward and fun. If you prefer to watch rather than take a role, this format won't suit you, since everyone on board is expected to be part of the mystery.
Sarasota: Downtown Food & History Walking Tour with TastingsYou’ll wander downtown Sarasota with a local guide, sampling real bites at tucked-away spots while hearing stories behind historic hotels and secret bars. Expect laughter over shared plates, unexpected details about city legends, and time to soak up art-filled streets. You’ll come away feeling like you’ve actually met Sarasota—not just passed through.
Sarasota Kayak Tour: Mangroves & Midnight Pass BeachYou paddle through mangrove tunnels and a bird rookery in Little Sarasota Bay, then reach a white-sand beach accessible only by water. The tour includes kayak, paddle, life jacket, and dry bag. It takes two to three hours total, and you leave from Turtle Beach, a short trolley ride from Siesta Key.Is it for me?Book this if you want to paddle through mangrove habitat and reach a secluded beach without arranging your own boat or navigating the tidal creeks yourself — the guide's knowledge of the preserve and the route is what makes the wildlife sightings and the quiet landing possible.
Lowest price (10)
Anna Maria Island Kayaking: Clear Bottom Glass KayakA 1 hour 15 minute glass bottom clear kayak tour on Anna Maria Island where you paddle a fully transparent kayak and watch for manatees, dolphins, conch and starfish in the water beneath you. Kayaks are tandem unless you request solo, and a live guide leads the slow, easy paddle. Arrive 15 minutes early for the mandatory safety briefing; the tour launches from Kingfish Boat Ramp next to the "Welcome to AMI" sign.Is it for me?The tour launches from a public boat ramp on Anna Maria Island itself, so you don't need a car to get there — public transportation reaches the area, and the parking and launch happen at the same spot. If you're staying on the island or nearby without a rental, this is how you get on the water.
Siesta Key Clear Kayak LED Night Tour & Shell CollectingYou paddle a transparent kayak over a lit seafloor at night, collecting shells with a net while watching for manatees and dolphins in Siesta Key. The slow pace and 10,000-lumen lights make the seafloor visible the whole time. Life vest and paddle included; arrive 15 minutes early, and bring clothes you don't mind getting wet.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the seafloor at night without needing scuba gear or a boat — the clear kayak and lights do the work, and the slow pace means you actually have time to look at what's below instead of paddling past it.
Glass Bottom Kayaking: Anna Maria Island Clear KayakGlass bottom kayaking on Anna Maria Island puts you in a completely clear tandem kayak to watch sea life through the hull as you paddle. The tour runs about 75 minutes at an easy pace, with a guide leading the search for manatees, dolphins, starfish and shells. Life jacket and paddle are included; arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Viewing marine life is a bonus, not a guarantee.Is it for me?Book the day tour if you want bright light to see through the clear hull clearly, or the night LED tour if you prefer fewer crowds and the novelty of paddling in darkness with underwater lighting. The tour suits anyone comfortable getting wet and able to sit in a kayak for 75 minutes; children from age 5 are welcome, and the pace is easy enough for all fitness levels.
Clear Kayak Mangrove Tour Sarasota: See dolphins belowA 2-hour guided clear kayak eco tour launching from Longboat Key near Sarasota, where you paddle through mangrove tunnels, seagrass beds and open water in a transparent kayak that lets you see fish, rays, dolphins and manatees below. Life jackets, paddles and a safety briefing are provided; the tour suits couples, families and small groups comfortable with intermediate paddling in strong currents.Is it for me?You're paddling the whole time—this is not a guided boat tour where you sit and watch. Book this one if you've paddled before, have solid fitness and want to move through the water yourself while a guide handles the route and the wildlife knowledge. The strong currents and intermediate difficulty mean it's not for first-time kayakers or anyone uncertain about their stamina; if you want to see marine life from a clear kayak but prefer a gentler pace, look for a beginner tour instead.
Kayaking in Sarasota: Wildlife encounters, private launchKayak tour in Sarasota Bay between Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key with a naturalist guide, launching from private access that avoids crowded public boat ramps. Groups are limited to 12 or fewer, giving you more time to spot manatees, dolphins, rays, sea turtles and coastal birds in shallow waters and mangrove shorelines. The tour runs 2.5 hours and includes kayak, paddle, life vest and dry bag; suitable for all paddling levels and children from age 5.Is it for me?Book this one if you want to paddle on your own instead of sitting in a boat watching someone else navigate—you're operating the kayak, choosing your pace through shallow mangrove waters and calm bays, and your guide is there to point out where the manatees and dolphins are moving. The small group size (12 or fewer) and private launch access mean you spend the morning paddling and spotting wildlife, not waiting at a public ramp or competing for the guide's attention.
Kayaking through mangrove tunnels in Anna Maria: Spot dolphins and manateesKayak through the mangrove tunnels and coastal waterways of Anna Maria, Florida on a pedal kayak with a live guide, paddle, lifejacket and drybag included. The two-hour tour starts and ends at Neal Preserve's South end, where you'll navigate narrow water trails and watch for native wildlife—dolphins, manatees and wading birds—that live in these shallow ecosystems. Public transportation is available nearby.Is it for me?The guide speaks English throughout the tour, so you'll hear the commentary about the mangrove ecosystem and wildlife as it happens. This works well if you're comfortable following a live guide's pace and want the local knowledge woven into the paddle itself.
Clear Kayak Snorkeling at Robinson Preserve, BradentonA guided 2-hour clear kayak ecotour through Robinson Preserve near Bradenton puts you in a fully transparent kayak to explore mangrove channels and sand bars while spotting fish, sea turtles, rays, birds and occasional dolphins or manatees. Your guide—a local naturalist—provides all equipment (kayak, life jacket, paddle, drybag), shares facts about the wildlife and ecosystems you pass through, and can photograph you from the observation tower overlooking Tampa Bay and Anna Maria Island. Children from age 3 are welcome.Is it for me?Two hours is the right length if you have a morning or afternoon free but need the rest of the day for other plans—long enough to move through the mangrove channels and reach the sand bar, short enough to leave your schedule open.
Sing-Along Trolley Tour Sarasota: Karaoke on WheelsA 90-minute sing-along trolley tour in Sarasota pairs group karaoke with a guided route past landmarks like Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, led by live singers who pick songs matching the sights. You get two drinks included—one before boarding and one at a mid-tour bar stop—and the whole thing is built for celebrations: date nights, birthdays, girls' nights and group events. Minimum age 21.Is it for me?Book this if you want the sing-along energy of a karaoke bar but moving through Sarasota instead of staying in one room—the route and the songs move together, and the bar stop keeps the group connected without breaking the momentum.
Kayaking Lido Key mangrove tunnels: Private, wildlife-focusedKayak or paddleboard through the mangrove tunnels and bay waters of Lido Key on a fully private eco-tour, launching from Ted Sperling Park. Your naturalist guide adjusts the route, pace and focus entirely to your group — whether that means extra support for kids, a slower start for nervous paddlers, or more distance for experienced ones. You choose kayaks, paddleboards, or both. Manatees, dolphins, wading birds and rays appear seasonally; the guide points out wildlife and explains the estuary ecology as you paddle.Is it for me?Book this if your group has mixed paddling experience or includes young kids — the private format means the guide adjusts the pace and route to what your people need instead of keeping to a fixed schedule. It's also the right choice if you want wildlife spotting and estuary ecology explained by someone who knows the area, not just pointed out in passing.
Venice City Sightseeing Trolley Tour: History & LandmarksThe Venice City Sightseeing Trolley Tour is a 90-minute guided tour departing Tuesdays from the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce at 597 S Tamiami Trail. You'll travel by air-conditioned trolley through Venice's history, landmarks, neighborhoods and natural areas with a live English-speaking guide. The tour runs January through April at 10 AM; bottled water and free parking are included, and all guests must be ages 10 and up.Is it for me?At 90 minutes, the tour fits into a morning or early afternoon without consuming your whole day, which works if you want to see the neighborhoods but still have time for lunch or other stops. The fixed 10 AM departure on Tuesdays means you'll need to plan around that schedule, and the minimum age of 10 rules it out for families with younger children.
