What You'll Get
Before paddles, kayakers hitched a line to nearby dolphins to propel themselves, which made for bumpy rides and erratic submersions every time a mackerel passed by. Enjoy a more serene voyage with today's Groupon: for $22, you get a two-hour guided tour for one from I Kayak Sarasota (a $45 value).
I Kayak Sarasota's experienced guides lead a fleet of up to 16 kayaks on two-hour tours of the South Lido Mangrove Tunnels in Sarasota Bay. Paddling in South Lido beach's sheltered waters ensures no big-water surges so paddle pushers of any experience level can feel comfortable wielding their wave wands. As oar handlers glide past, they may catch sight of acrobat fish, manatees, and cresting dolphins in the water, or brown pelicans, great blue herons, or pelican-impersonating fish chorusing in the boughs of the mangrove trees. As they drift along the wildlife-teeming Brushy Bayou, tour-goers can get a glimpse of primitive Florida's dense mangrove-tree settlements, imagining a time long before red-light cameras and tax-collecting pterodactyls.
The Fine Print
Promotional value expires Feb 24, 2012. Amount paid never expires. Limit 4 per person, may buy 2 additional as gifts. Limit 1 per person per visit. 4hr cancellation notice required. Subject to weather. Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.
About I Kayak Sarasota
The spindly branches of mangrove trees dip into Sarasota waters, often creating channels just wide enough to admit one kayak. But despite the narrow nature of these waterways, the guides of I Kayak Sarasota—all Sarasota natives—navigate them with ease. They do this while leading kayakers on tours that uncover different aspects of the bay’s natural splendor without revealing its real secret—that it’s actually a giant’s bathtub. One tour showcases the mangrove tunnels where tourists might see manatees and dolphins, and the other grants guests views of the sunset from the middle of the bay. In addition, I Kayak Sarasota offers standup-paddleboard lessons, which incorporate balance and core fitness into wave-top adventures. i Kayak Sarasota also rent bicycles. Each unisex vehicle is equipped with large wheels for an easier ride along beaches, and an adjustable seat to fit most riders. Every rental includes a helmet and a front bicycle basket for a bag or groceries, and a bicycle lock. This service can be combined with the kayak rental to see Sarasota from land and water.