Frequently Asked Questions
What tours do you offer?
Clear Kayak LED Night Glass Bottom Tour: 1 hour 15 minutes, $65 per person. Longboat Key Clear Kayak LED Night Tour: 1 hour 15 minutes, ages 3+, $65 per person, with a 15-minute hands-on show and tell on the beach after the paddle. Daytime Clear Kayak Manatee Tour: about 1 hour 15 minutes, departs 10:00 AM, ages 3+, $65 per person. Night Shelling & Snorkeling Tours: 75 minutes. For more info visit bestshellingtour.com. We no longer run Segway, trike or electric bike tours.
How much does a tour cost?
$65 per person. Kids 6-10 are discounted, and kids 5 and under ride free on direct bookings only (text 941-259-9713 to add them).
How long is the tour?
Our tours are 1 hour 15 minutes, so bring only what you will use in that time frame. Arrive 15 minutes before your launch time for the safety talk.
What is a clear kayak LED night tour?
A guided paddle in a clear-bottom kayak with LED lights glowing underneath, so you can look down into the water and see what is moving below. No experience is needed, and our guides lead the whole way.
Where do the tours launch?
We have several launches. Arriving at the wrong one is a no-show, so always double-check the exact address in your booking confirmation.
Anna Maria Island, King Fish: 752 Manatee Ave, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
Anna Maria Island, Mangroves (Bradenton side): 12379 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34209
Sarasota (City Island): 1799 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236
Siesta Key: 1460 Siesta Dr, Siesta Key, FL 34242
Longboat Key: Overlook Park, also called Longboat Key Little Beach, 201 FL-789 (Gulf of Mexico Dr), Longboat Key, FL 34228. It is the first left coming off the bridge onto Longboat Key and is easy to drive past. On Apple Maps, search Overlook Park or Longboat Key Little Beach instead of the street address. More at longboatkeykayak.com
Venice: 8:30 PM tour, available for groups of 6 or more.
What time do tours start?
Night tours depart at 6:30 PM, 8:00 PM and 9:30 PM from Anna Maria Island, Sarasota, Siesta Key and Longboat Key. Our daytime Clear Kayak Manatee Tour departs at 10:00 AM from Anna Maria Island. Venice runs at 8:30 PM for groups of 6 or more. Check in 15 minutes before launch, and see each tour's booking calendar for live availability.
Do I need experience?
No. Most guests have never kayaked. Our guides give a safety talk and lead the group the whole way. If kayaking sounds intimidating, our shelling tour may be a better fit. For more info visit bestshellingtour.com
What ages can join?
Ages 3 to 105. Kids 5 and under ride free on direct bookings only, and kids 6-10 are discounted. Text 941-259-9713 to add kids to your booking.
Are there weight limits? What about solo kayaks?
Tandem kayaks are standard, with a combined weight limit of 425 lbs. Solo kayaks, with a 350 lb limit, are available for odd-numbered groups or specific weight needs. If you need a solo kayak for weight, text us 24 hours ahead.
What should I wear?
Dress for comfort and getting a little wet! How much you get splashed depends on your paddling and net use. We recommend swimwear, quick-dry shorts and shirts, or a rash guard (think spandex, nylon, polyester, or sport blends). For cooler weather, a windbreaker or hoodie is perfect. Jeans aren't ideal. Many people kayak barefoot, and you can leave shoes at our launch. Water shoes, flip flops or sandals are also great options. A hat is optional. Stay well-hydrated during the tour, so bring water with you. Day tours: don't forget sunscreen, especially for your feet and shins, which get a lot of sun while paddling. We suggest bringing a towel and perhaps extra dry clothes for after the tour. Please leave valuables and anything that can't get wet or sink (phones, wallets, keys, jewelry, non-waterproof cameras, etc.) behind.
Should I bring bug spray?
It's up to you. Bring it if you think you'll want it, but you don't need it. If you use it, put it on before you arrive so it's dry when you get in the kayak.
What sea life will we see?
Our clear-bottom kayaks, lit from underneath at night, let you look down into the seagrass flats. Guests often spot fish, rays, blue crabs, stingrays, manatees and dolphins. It's wild nature, so we can't guarantee any particular animal.
Can we bring drinks or a cooler?
Yes to both. Drinks and a cooler are welcome. The tour is only 1 hour 15 minutes, so bring just what you will use in that time frame.
What about trash?
Please remove all of your trash and everything you bring with you when you leave, so we keep the water and shoreline clean for the wildlife and the next guests.
Is there parking? Are there restrooms?
Parking is free. There are no public restrooms at our launch sites, so please use facilities before you arrive.
What if I'm late?
Guests must arrive 15 minutes before launch. We launch on time so we can complete the mandatory safety talk, and we cannot hold the group. Late arrivals are marked as a no-show, and no refunds or rescheduling will be issued.
What is your cancellation policy?
72 hours or more before tour start time: 100% refund.
Between 72 and 24 hours before: non-refundable, but you may reschedule once or receive a raincheck.
Less than 24 hours before, late arrivals and no-shows: non-refundable, with no rescheduling or rainchecks.
Cancellation requests must be sent by text or email and are timed from receipt.
What happens in bad weather?
Only Fun Florida Tours can cancel a tour. We cancel before launch for heavy sustained rain, nearby lightning or unsafe high winds, and you can then choose a full refund, a reschedule or a raincheck. For safety we may move the launch location or change the departure time. We will notify you by text and email before launch, and no refund or reschedule applies for a location or time change. If a tour launches and is cut short by weather, it counts as completed with no refund or raincheck. If you do not hear from us, your tour is on as scheduled.
How do I contact you?
Text only: 941-259-9713, 10 AM to 6 PM. We do not take calls.