Outbound Collective logo

Kayak the South Lido Mangrove Tunnels

Sarasota, Florida

4.8/5
based on 6 reviews

Description

Added by Courtney Clemmons

Kayak and SUP rentals available. Great for all skill levels and ages. See manatees and dolphins. Explore mazes of mangrove tunnels.

Before entering South Lido County Park, take a left turn on Taft Drive for the kayak launch area. Parking is available at the end of the road. Multiple companies offer kayak and stand up paddle (SUP) rentals and tours at the launch site, but feel free to bring your own. Launch your kayak or SUP between mangroves into Sarasota Bay and continue South along the mangrove tunnels. Visit this website for a detailed map of the trails.

Read More

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Stand Up Paddle
Chillin
Kayaking
Swimming
Bathrooms
Beach
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Groups
Picnic Area
Scenic
Wildlife
Swimming Hole

Kayak the South Lido Mangrove Tunnels Reviews

I wanted to explore Florida on a kayak in a unique location. I enjoy getting lost and having new adventures to take my camera on. This was perfect. It is super close to Sarasota and it felt like a different world.

A County Park covers the entire bottom half of Lido Key, with beaches, swimming and picnic areas and hiking trails. Just north of that, is a county ran boat launch and kayak rental programs where you can explore and paddle with a group or on your own through beautiful and scenic waterways entangled by mangrove trees. It is an essential Sarasota and south Florida experience.

Me and my sister love kayaking to the island to eat lunch. There are tons of different passage ways of mangroves to travel through so you can spend a whole day here. Definitely worth going

Really cool mangrove tunnels. They made the whole trip worth it. Make sure to bring bug spray too, took a wrong turn and got attacked.

Had a wonderful time in the mangrove tunnels. Fun, sun, and salt.

The Mangrove Tunnels are very scenic to paddle through, you can bring your own kayak, or reserve through rental companies who meet you at the launch. They also have SUP rentals to take through the tunnels as well. Once you are going through the tunnels look up at the trees overhead and you will see tiny little crabs called Mangrove Tree Crabs. They are fun to watch skitter around and don't pose a threat to you so no worries. Once you've gone through the maze of tunnels head out into the inter-coastal waterway and there's a very good chance manatees will make their way to the surface to greet you!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Urfer Family Park Loop

Leffis Key

Hike Holmes Beach

Deep Hole Trail

Catch the Sunrise at Rod & Reel Pier

Catch the Sunset at Bean Point

Escape to the Sunshine

VISIT FLORIDA, serves as Florida's official source for travel planning. What can be discovered beyond Florida’s 825 miles of beaches? How about 320 freshwater springs, 175 state parks, infinite mangrove tunnels and hidden caverns. Let your adventure begin. Follow Your Sunshine.

Learn More