Join SBEP for educational kayak tours throughout Sarasota Bay and discover the plants, animals, habitats, and other features that make Sarasota Bay an Estuary of National Significance. Ten trips are organized from December through April with two outings per month led by professional guide Brad Tanner (see picture below). The trips are FREE although participants need to bring their own kayak and gear. There are many outfitters throughout Sarasota and Manatee County that rent kayaks. Each trip lasts between two and three hours and space is limited to 15 individuals per outing.
Following is the schedule for 2011-2012:
December 3 - Neal Preserve
December 17 – Neal Preserve
January 7 - Leffis and Jewfish Key
January 21 – Leffis and Jewfish Key
February 4 – Lido Mangrove Tunnels
February 18 – Lido Mangrove Tunnels
March 3 - Blind Pass – Click here to register
March 17 – Blind Pass – Click here to register
April 7 - Lyons and Blackburn Bay – Click here to register.
April 21 – Lyons and Blackburn Bay – Click here to register.
Gear checklist:
- Whistle (required)
- Hat (recommended)
- Fresh water (required)
- Lifejacket (required)
- Sun protection (required)
- Water shoes (required)
- Paddle (required)
- Snack (recommended)
- Clothes that can get wet
- Ziploc bags for dry storage
- Camera/binoculars (recommended)
Important – If you have never kayaked before we suggest that you contact one of the kayak rental companies and take a class before exploring Sarasota Bay. Bay Wise kayak tours are not recommended for first time kayakers. Participants who wish to sign up for more than one trip will be able to sign up for one trip and then be put on a waiting list for the other trips of interest. Participants will be contacted before their trip via email to confirm.
Rescheduling of Bay Wise kayak tours due to unforeseen circumstances will also be communicated via email. All participants MUST sign a waiver to hold harmless SBEP and Brad Tanner, the professional guide for the program. The kayak rental company may have you sign their own release form. Minors must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian in order to participate. Children under 10 years of age are discouraged from participating for safety reasons.
Click here for more information including a list of local outfitters who rent kayaks. You can also contact info@sarasotabay.org if you have questions. Please contact SBEP as soon as possible if you need to cancel your registration.