Just north of Siesta Key, tucked behind the beaches of Lido Key, is a quieter kind of Florida. Here the water goes still and green, the mangrove roots arch overhead like the ribs of an old wooden boat, and the loudest sound is your paddle dipping into the water. The Lido Key mangrove tunnels are one of the Sarasota area’s favorite slow-water adventures. They make a fine morning to pair with an afternoon on the sand.
Here is what to know before you go.
Where the Mangrove Tunnels Are
The tunnels wind through the mangrove forest at the south end of Lido Key, around South Lido Park and the adjoining Ted Sperling Nature Park. The parks sit where Big Pass meets Sarasota Bay, across the water from the north tip of Siesta Key. There is a kayak launch at the park, and the narrow channels lead back into the mangroves from there. Park rules and facilities can change, so check Sarasota County’s parks page for current hours and parking before you head out.
From Siesta Key Village, it is a short drive north through downtown Sarasota and across the John Ringling Causeway, past St. Armands Circle.
Guided Tour or Paddle on Your Own?
You have two good options.
- Guided tours. Several local outfitters run kayak and paddleboard tours through the tunnels. A guide handles the gear and the route, and can point out wildlife and plants you might paddle right past. For first-timers and families with young kids, this is the easy choice.
- Rent and go. Confident paddlers can rent a kayak or paddleboard nearby and explore on their own. Ask the rental shop for a map and for advice on the day’s tides and wind.
Prices, tour lengths and launch times vary by company, so compare a few and book ahead on weekends and in the busy winter season.
What You Might See
The mangroves are a nursery for much of the life in Sarasota Bay, and a quiet paddle gives you a front-row seat. Nothing is guaranteed in the wild, but paddlers here often spot:
- Wading birds. Herons, egrets and ibis stalk the shallows, and you may see pelicans and ospreys overhead.
- Mangrove crabs. They scuttle along the roots at eye level.
- Fish. Small fish dart between the roots in the clear shallows.
- Manatees and dolphins. These are sometimes seen in the more open water nearby, especially in the warmer months.
Give wildlife plenty of room. Never touch, feed or chase manatees or dolphins. If you would rather let someone else do the steering, our guide to dolphin watching in Sarasota Bay covers the best ways to see them from a boat.
Best Time to Paddle
Early morning is the classic choice. The water is usually calmer, the light is soft, birds are active, and you beat the midday heat. Late afternoon can be lovely too, but leave plenty of time to get off the water before dark.
Tides matter in the tunnels. Some channels get shallow at low tide, and the current can be stronger in and out of the pass. Check a tide chart and the wind forecast, and ask your outfitter when the tunnels paddle best that day. Fall and winter bring cooler, drier days that many paddlers love. Summer brings the heat and afternoon thunderstorms, so go early.
What to Bring
- Water and a snack. Even a short paddle is thirsty work in the Florida sun.
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. The tunnels are shady, but the open water is not.
- Bug spray. The mangroves can be buggy, especially on still mornings.
- A dry bag. Keep your phone and keys dry.
- Water shoes. Launches can be muddy or shelly.
Mangrove Manners
The mangroves are protected, and they protect us back. They hold the shoreline together, soften storm surge and shelter young fish. Do not break or cut branches, keep your voice low, pack out everything you bring in, and pass other paddlers slowly in the narrow spots. Following those simple rules keeps the tunnels beautiful for the next group.
Make a Day of It: Paddle by Morning, Cruise by Sunset
A mangrove paddle fits neatly into a full Lido Key day. Paddle in the morning, then cool off with a swim at Lido Beach. Walk over to St. Armands Circle for lunch and window shopping. When the light starts to turn gold, trade the kayak for a deck chair.
Barefoot Tiki Tours runs Lido Key sunset cruises aboard a USCG-certified tiki boat. It carries up to 16 passengers and departs from 1101 10th Street in Sarasota. Sunset cruises are $75 per person, and the dolphin and mimosa cruise starts at $60. You can also try a sandbar, dolphin and sunset cruise, or book a private sunset charter for your group. For more ways to get on the water, see our roundup of the best boat tours and sunset cruises in Sarasota and our tips for a day on the sandbar.
Full disclosure: Siesta Key Things To Do is written by the team behind Barefoot Tiki Tours, so we know that boat well. We point you to other good options too. More about us.
Want to fold a paddle into a bigger plan? Check our Things to Do This Week page for markets, music and happenings around Siesta Key, Lido Key and Sarasota. Then go find the quiet water. It has been waiting under those mangroves the whole time.