Kayaking with Manatees: Florida's Coastal Wonders

Embark on a thrilling kayaking adventure in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Explore the historic Sponge Docks, discover the fascinating mangroves, and get up close with gentle Manatees in their natural habitat.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks - Our wildlife experts will guide you through the mangroves, spotting wildlife along the way. You’ll enjoy the peace and quiet as you drift along the river learning about the precious ecosystems that surround us here in Florida. Of course, there will be some time to float by the historic sponge docks in Tarpon Springs.
What's Included
  • Kayak, paddle, and life jacket included
What's Not Included
  • Snacks
Additional Information

Embark on a unique kayaking journey with Manatees, a venture that’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Begin from our starting point and traverse past the renowned Sponge Docks, soaking in the distinct history of the region. Next, venture into the mangroves and gain understanding of their crucial role in facilitating Florida’s coastal ecosystems….

Location
1060 N Pinellas Ave
North Pinellas Avenue
Please meet 15 minutes before the tour begins. You will find free parking at the address. If you have crossed the bridge, and are driving north, you have gone too far.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(29 Ratings)
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Chris_c
Apr 2, 2026
Great afternoon on the water - Albie was a great guide- full of knowledge about the area and the wildlife we saw. We were lucky to see several manatees, plus a few dolphins, one of which lead our way and showed off a bit for us! I was worried going into it that I wouldn't be able to keep up, but we went at a relaxing pace on the way out. It was more constant on the way back, but it wasn't a struggle. It was sooo nice being on the water. I would definitely recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Christina_g
Mar 23, 2026
Great day on the water - Julie is a great guide and very knowledgeable. while we didn't see manatees on this particular day, it was fun to learn about all of the plants, fish and birds that we saw.
Review provided by Viator
Sightseer0112
Mar 15, 2026
Great day on the water. - Wonderful kayaking day. Julie and her partner were very helpful and informative. We saw a sting ray, dolphin, jumping fish and many different kinds of birds. Definitely a very good tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cathy_p
Mar 6, 2026
Julie, Julie was the... - Julie, Julie was the greatest. Very sweet, knowledgeable, and quite patient. I flipped over at the beginning and Julie saved the day and gave us a wonderful tour. We will definitely when we come back. Thanks Julie! For making my husband’s bday so enjoyable with the yummy food recommendations as well!!!
Review provided by Viator
Dayel001
Feb 12, 2026
A History and Nature Paddle - Our afternoon paddle on the historic river yhrough Tarpon Springs was an excellent experience. Our guide was very knowledgeable of the area history and natural wonders we witnessed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jenniferff9720rx
Feb 9, 2026
Unforgettable, magical experience - This kayak trip was absolutely magical. Julie is certified naturalist and knows just about everything about the many birds you see. Before arriving at the manatees, she makes very sure that you will be a visitor who will enjoy your experience without intruding on this endangered species. So, we floated around for awhile watching the curious animals swim all around us and under us. On the way out and back, Julie has a lot of stories about the boats and shops in Tarpon Springs, and we took her advice while exploring the town afterwards. This part of my trip to Florida will live in my memory forever. So grateful for our day with Julie and the gorgeous and educational kayaking.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kasey_t
Jan 8, 2026
Julie was amazing! She... - Julie was amazing! She really knows her stuff. We had such a great time paddling while she pointed out birds and wildlife along the way. We got to see LOTS of manatees also. This tour was awesome.
Review provided by Viator
Linda_q
Jan 6, 2026
Fantastic Kayaking and See Lots of Manitees - Wear sunscreen. Our guide Julie was very knowledgeable about local wildlife. She was exceptionally interesting to listen to. She was respectful of the manitees' environment. GREAT!
Review provided by Viator
Scott_w
Jan 3, 2026
Kayaking in Tarpon Springs - Albie was super knowledgeable. This was a great tour for teens. The new headsets they offer were perfect for hearing all the interesting facts about spongedocks and manatees. We lucked out and the manatees were super active for us. Overall, a great adventure for all.
Review provided by Viator
K_a
Apr 3, 2026
While the guides were... - While the guides were super nice, I was really disappointed with this tour. First, the description said “ Experience a once in a lifetime opportunity of kayaking with Manatees”. We saw no manatees. I understand that nature isn’t predictable but the description should be changed to indicate that seeing manatees wasn’t a sure thing. Secondly, the description also said that we would be padding by docks and learning about history. Unfortunately, we were asked to make a choice in the beginning between going to the docks or seeing manatees, which we didn’t see. So we spent the entire time going through mangroves looking for manatees. I’m not sure whether this was a one off (not seeing manatees), but if you are really interested in seeing manatees then I would recommend you call in advance to ask about the probability of seeing them.
Review provided by Viator