Florida's Gulf Islands Visitors Guide® 2008 - (Page 25) Canoeing,Hiking & Kayaking Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures Anna Maria, 941-504-6296 www.kayakfl.com Guided kayak eco-tours of many diverse Florida natural habitats and ecosystems. Daily/weekly rentals with free delivery. Sales and instruction. Tour availability is based upon customer interest/ demand. Map grid D-3. Outdoors & Nature Nature Experiences Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch 2213 Ave. B, Bradenton Beach 941-778-5638 www.islandturtles.com A non-profit organization striving for a suitable habitat for sea turtles, people and the eco-system of the island and its surrounding waters. Nesting beach tours available by appointment, weather permitting. Allow 1 hour. Map grid B-5. Around The Bend Nature Tours 1815 Palma Sola Blvd., Bradenton 941-794-8773, www.aroundbend.com Experience Florida hands-on with your own nature guide. Walk a different path or dipnet in the river. Fun for groups of all ages. Youth educational experiences, elderhostel and families. Allow up to 3 hours. Map grid B-4. $-$$ Madira Bickel Mound State Archeological Site Terra Ceia Island Palmetto 941-723-4536 www.floridastateparks.org The mound is the first site in Florida to become a State archeological site. Archeological excavations have disclosed at least three periods of Native American culture at this site. Map grid D-3. Palma Sola Botanical Park 9800 - 17th Ave. N.W., Bradenton 941-761-2866 www.palmasolabp.com Palma Sola Botanical Park provides the community with a unique opportunity to enjoy educational programs, passive recreation and public events in the midst of 10 acres of natural beauty. Map grid C-4. Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River 18001 U.S. Hwy. 301 S. Wimauma, 813-634-2228 www.canoeoutpost.com Relax, camp; enjoy the “real Florida” as you canoe, kayak, or tube on the scenic Little Manatee River. Designated a Florida State Canoe Trail and an “outstanding Florida water.” Various trips available. Allow up to 5.5 hours. Map grid H-2. $$$ Bearadise Ranch 6908 - 245th St. E., Myakka City 941-322-2462 Manatee Viewing Center 6990 Dickman Rd., Apollo Beach 813-228-4289 www.tampaelectric.com/manatee Enjoy a tidal walkway, vibrant Florida plant and bird life, butterfly gardens, an education building and more. And, when the water temperature of Tampa Bay is below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, manatees. Coquina Bay Walk at Leffis Key 2350 Gulf Dr. S., Bradenton Beach 941-748-4501, www.mymanatee. org/conservation.html Located south on the bayside of Anna Maria Island across from Coquina Beach. A pristine, shallowwater habitat. Includes tidal lagoons, a foot bridge and boardwalks for public access. Allow 2 hours. Map grid B-5. Robinson Preserve 1690 - 99th S. N.W., Bradenton 941-748-4501, www.mymanatee. org/conservation.html Robinson Preserve features paddle and hiking trails, boardwalks, a 40-foot-tall observation tower and a Visitors Center. Native salt marsh habitat. Expected to open February 2008. Allow approximately 2 hours. Map grid C-4. Island Kayak Tours Holmes Beach, 941-592-8869 Kayak Tours 5416 Marina Dr., Holmes Beach 941-778-7757 www.mysitontopkayak.com Offering self-guided eco-tours using state-of-the-art sit-on-top kayaks. Open all week. Also offering glass bottom tours and kayak fishing. Map grid B-4. $-$$ Myakka River State Park 13208 S.R. 72, Sarasota 941-361-6511 www.floridastateparks.org/ myakkariver One of Florida’s largest state parks to hike, fish, camp, kayak, take airboat or tram tours and observe wildlife. The Myakka River flows through 57 square miles of prairie, wetlands and woodlands. Allow 1 hour. $-$$ Duette Preserve 2649 Rawls Rd., Duette 941-776-2295, www.mymanatee. org/conservation.html Duette Preserve is a 25,000-acre inland location featuring pine flatwoods, prairies and rare scrub. A variety of uplands wildlife can be seen within the preserve. $-$$ Rye Wilderness Park 751 Rye Wilderness Trl., Parrish 941-776-0900, www.mymanatee. org/conservation.html Located on the Manatee River, Rye Preserve is home to hiking and biking trails, a campground, an interpretive center and a canoe/kayak launch. Historical site includes the Rye Family Cemetery. Allow 1 to 5 hours. Native Rentals 5416 Marina Dr., Holmes Beach 941-778-7757 www.mysitontopkayak.com Escape into nature through guided and self-guided eco-tours using stateof-the-art sit-on-top kayaks. Daily and weekly rentals with free delivery included. Bike rentals available for $5 a day. Map grid B-4. $-$$ Emerson Point Preserve 5801 - 17th St. W., Palmetto 941-721-6885, www.co.manatee. fl.us/conservation.html This 365-acre, state-owned, Manatee County-managed preserve contains a variety of native Florida coastal eco-systems. Visitors can enjoy bird watching, hiking, bicycling, fishing and canoeing. Allow up to 5 hours. Map grid D-3. Myakka Wildlife Tours State Road 72, Sarasota 941-365-0100, www.myakkariver.org One-hour narrated tour aboard the “world’s largest airboat” to see ’gators in the wild. Land tour is a one-hour tram tour through Myakka River State Park. Learn about flora and fauna. Tram runs from Dec. 16 - May 31. Allow 1 hour. Map grid I-9. $-$$ Terra Ceia Preserve State Park 130 Terra Ceia Rd., Terra Ceia 941-721-2068 www.floridastateparks.org Protects the original aquatic life of the southern edge of Tampa Bay. There are picnic facilities and hiking trails. There are also trails and a launch for canoes and kayaks. Map grid E-3. Ray’s Canoe Hideaway 1247 Hagle Park Rd., Bradenton 941-747-3909 www.rayscanoehideaway.com “Paddle the Singing River by canoe or kayak.” Half-day, fullday, overnight or weekly canoe and kayak rentals. Boat launch, equipment rental, ice, live bait, sodas and snacks. Allow at least 3 hours. Map grid H-4. $$$$ Lake Manatee State Park 20007 S.R. 64 E., Bradenton 941-741-3028 www.floridastateparks.org/lakemanatee A 556-acre recreation area offering a picnic area, swimming area, campground, boat ramp and fishing dock. Boat motors are restricted to 20 HP or less and a Florida freshwater fishing license is required. Map grid H-4. $ Walk on the Wild Side 629 - 41st St., Sarasota 941-351-6500, www.walkwild.com Nature/eco-tours, kayaking, canoeing, day hiking, wildlife viewing, camping, auto tours and instruction. Allow up to a full day. Map grid E-7. $$$$ ANNA MARIA ISLAND LONGBOAT KEY BRADENTON & LAKEWOOD RANCH Price: $=Under $8, $$=$8 - $14 $$$=$15 - $24, $$$$=$25+ www.FloridasGulfIslands.com | Page 25 http://www.kayakfl.com http://www.aroundbend.com http://www.islandturtles.com http://www.floridastateparks.org http://www.palmasolabp.com http://www.canoeoutpost.com http://www.tampaelectric.com/manatee http://www.co.manatee.fl.us/conservation.html http://www.co.manatee.fl.us/conservation.html http://www.co.manatee.fl.us/conservation.html http://www.co.manatee.fl.us/conservation.html http://www.mysitontopkayak.com http://www.floridastateparks.org/myakkariver http://www.floridastateparks.org/myakkariver http://www.co.manatee.fl.us/conservation.html http://www.co.manatee.fl.us/conservation.html http://www.co.manatee.fl.us/conservation.html http://www.co.manatee.fl.us/conservation.html http://www.mysitontopkayak.com http://www.co.manatee.fl.us/conservation.html http://www.myakkariver.org http://www.co.manatee.fl.us/conservation.html http://www.floridastateparks.org http://www.rayscanoehideaway.com http://www.floridastateparks.org/lakemanatee http://www.walkwild.com http://www.FloridasGulfIslands.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.