Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures
Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures
Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures
5
Full view
About
Kayaking eco tours and rentals
Sarasota, Florida
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingSimilar Experiences
Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures
Booking unavailable on Tripadvisor
Want other options you can book now?
Show optionsTravelers talk about
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,964 reviews
Excellent
1,870
Very good
71
Average
13
Poor
6
Terrible
4
iansealife
Whitecastle, Ireland29 contributions
Jun 2020 • Friends
Great wee tour I just had with Sam. Our guide was great; very knowledgeable of the wildlife and sea life I learned a lot on this trip. Plus her sense of humor was almost as good as mine a rare find, especially when I came back to find or rather not find my lost car keys. Lido is great for Kayak tours I throughly recommend this place for guided tours. Thanks again Sam
Written June 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mr_SteadmanReviews
13 contributions
Jun 2021
Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures: 6/09/2021
My wife and I signed up for the two hour Lido mangrove tunnel tour out of Lido Key, Sarasota Fl. The tour had options of single kayaks or tandems, so my wife and I signed up for the tandem for added bonding experience. At the start of our Heavenly adventure, we met Cory and Will. Cory took one group and Will took us and about a dozen other people. We embarked on our way after a brief guide of how to maneuver the kayak and what to do if any of us were to go overboard. At no point in this trip did my wife or I feel unsafe or uneasy. The kayaks are relatively stable and the water is very shallow. One thing to note is that the Kayaks are open and your feet may get wet getting in and out. At no time did either of us get “wet” other than the occasional paddle drip.
Will made great efforts to keep everyone together and no one drifted off. Most of the tour is in calm water with no fear of drifting off.
During the trip we went through several Mangrove tunnels (no flies/bugs), learned lots of interesting facts about the local species of plants, birds and aquatic species. Will was super knowledgeable of the area and even suggested some great places to eat afterwards. We managed to see several Manatee in the water and even had one swim underneath our Kayak. If anyone is looking for activities to do in, I can highly recommend this as a great trip for all ages.
Experience: 5 out of 5
Cost / Worth: 5 out of 5
Learning Experience: 4 out of 5
Exercise: 2 out of 5 (Easy to paddle)
All in all I would rate this experience a 5 out of 5 and would not hesitate to do it again.
Thank you Will and Staff at Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures, for an awesome day on the water.
My wife and I signed up for the two hour Lido mangrove tunnel tour out of Lido Key, Sarasota Fl. The tour had options of single kayaks or tandems, so my wife and I signed up for the tandem for added bonding experience. At the start of our Heavenly adventure, we met Cory and Will. Cory took one group and Will took us and about a dozen other people. We embarked on our way after a brief guide of how to maneuver the kayak and what to do if any of us were to go overboard. At no point in this trip did my wife or I feel unsafe or uneasy. The kayaks are relatively stable and the water is very shallow. One thing to note is that the Kayaks are open and your feet may get wet getting in and out. At no time did either of us get “wet” other than the occasional paddle drip.
Will made great efforts to keep everyone together and no one drifted off. Most of the tour is in calm water with no fear of drifting off.
During the trip we went through several Mangrove tunnels (no flies/bugs), learned lots of interesting facts about the local species of plants, birds and aquatic species. Will was super knowledgeable of the area and even suggested some great places to eat afterwards. We managed to see several Manatee in the water and even had one swim underneath our Kayak. If anyone is looking for activities to do in, I can highly recommend this as a great trip for all ages.
Experience: 5 out of 5
Cost / Worth: 5 out of 5
Learning Experience: 4 out of 5
Exercise: 2 out of 5 (Easy to paddle)
All in all I would rate this experience a 5 out of 5 and would not hesitate to do it again.
Thank you Will and Staff at Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures, for an awesome day on the water.
Written June 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Evy W
Atlanta, GA3 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
This was a last minute tour and the owner was very accommodating! Our guide (Shawn) was very patient as we all got settled and paddled out to the bay. She was knowledgeable about the area and filled us in on details about the wildlife we could see. It started storming towards the end of the tour but she remained calm and guided us safely back to the launch site. I’d definitely recommended to anyone looking for a guided kayak tour around the Sarasota Bay Area.
Written July 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bonnie D
Sarnia, Canada47 contributions
Jan 2020
This was an excellent kayak tour through the Lido Key mangroves. Our guide, Will, was very helpful and knowledgeable. It was an afternoon tour, so we were able to enjoy the beginnings of sunset on the water at the end of our kayaking. It was beautiful. I am returning in March with family and will recommend this tour during their stay. I highly recommend Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures for anyone - beginners to advanced kayakers.
Written February 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JcameoJ
Denver, CO1 contribution
Sep 2020
Will was knowledgeable and helpful throughout our entire reservation! He messaged us a few hours before we were scheduled to start and suggested a later launch time as the weather was a bit chilly. Considering we aren't from here, we really appreciated the advice and it worked out best for us in the end. The first day we saw one manatee butt (they are way darker than you'd expect in this area so you have to look pretty hard) and DOZENS of jellyfish. Will had of course warned us about all the possible jellies and crabs in the tunnels, we were just super surprised by the quantity of life in the area.
We had such a fun time that we decided to come back on our last day in town and my man tried a kayak instead of a paddleboard this time. I still prefer the paddleboard but he enjoyed both! On our second day we were literally a few feet from a wild dolphin and it was ofcourse amazing!!!
Will likes local IPAs if you're looking to give him a personal tip :)
Thank you guys so much and we will absolutely recommend that our local family and visiting friends come to see you!
We had such a fun time that we decided to come back on our last day in town and my man tried a kayak instead of a paddleboard this time. I still prefer the paddleboard but he enjoyed both! On our second day we were literally a few feet from a wild dolphin and it was ofcourse amazing!!!
Will likes local IPAs if you're looking to give him a personal tip :)
Thank you guys so much and we will absolutely recommend that our local family and visiting friends come to see you!
Written October 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teresa E
Kennesaw, GA20 contributions
Jun 2020 • Couples
While on vacation in Siesta Key, I saw this company advertised in a local magazine. I’ve always wanted to try kayaking so I booked an adventure for my bf and myself. So glad I did! Will (the owner) was our guide and he was a wealth of knowledge about the mangroves and wildlife. He was also extremely patient with me and is an excellent teacher for first time kayakers such as myself. The most exciting part of our journey was seeing a manatee! 🥰 The price per person - $55 for two hours - was reasonable and well worth it. I will definitely return here for another adventure on my next vacation to the Sarasota area.
Written June 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa F
Baltimore, MD155 contributions
Mar 2021
We really loved this day out on the water. The temperature was perfect, and the mangrove tunnels were very cool to navigate. Chris was our tour guide, and he did a great job trying to manage a very large group with extreme wide varying degrees of comfort with the water and with kayaks. My husband & I were able to manage just great with little guidance, but the group as a whole (approximately 5 tandem boats and 5-10 single boats) was just too big of a group for anyone to really hear the "tour" or experience the "group" feeling. The equipment was in nice shape, the guides did a great job of making the boat launch appear rather smooth (though in reality there are a lot of operators all vying for one tiny little launch area). Better advanced information on where to park (the parking lot was full) and what to actually pack/bring (several people brought things that ended up getting wet) would have been helpful. Overall though, minus the little logistics things...the mangrove tunnels are amazing, easy to navigate for almost all ages and levels, and are a really fun way to spend a morning.
Written March 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nathan
Virginia3 contributions
Feb 2021
Absolutely incredible experience! Without a doubt, a must do while in the Sarasota area! A couple friends and I had the pleasure of kayaking along the Lido Key with Will as our guide. Will was extremely helpful throughout the entire process--from planning for our trip to where to paddle to (and through) and the offloading of our kayaks and equipment. Will filled our time by pointing out the various wildlife, telling great stories, and blasting great music. We all left thoroughly impressed and are planning to come back again as soon as we're back in the area. Thanks again Will and Almost Heaven Team, looking very forward to our next trip out on the water!
Written February 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TJB
Bradenton, FL15 contributions
Jun 2021
Guests should be notified that the tour of the mangroves doesn't begin when you arrive. For the first hour of the excursion, you are instructed to paddle your kayak out into the bay to look around for manatees and dolphins on your own. Our guide was in the vicinity of the group, but he didn't share any information at all.
The bay is wide open with jet skies, boats, etc. zipping around, and the sun is beating down on your head. Even wearing a hat and good covering, I became so nauseous that by the time our guide instructed the group to start heading over to the mangroves, I had to turn around and go back to the shore. Had I known this ahead of time, I would have waited on the shore until the group started to paddle to the mangroves, and then joined in. I would not recommend this trip if you have difficulty with motion sickness on the water or cannot be exposed to the sun for prolonged periods. The other option is to just wait on the shore until the group is heading to the shaded mangroves.
The bay is wide open with jet skies, boats, etc. zipping around, and the sun is beating down on your head. Even wearing a hat and good covering, I became so nauseous that by the time our guide instructed the group to start heading over to the mangroves, I had to turn around and go back to the shore. Had I known this ahead of time, I would have waited on the shore until the group started to paddle to the mangroves, and then joined in. I would not recommend this trip if you have difficulty with motion sickness on the water or cannot be exposed to the sun for prolonged periods. The other option is to just wait on the shore until the group is heading to the shaded mangroves.
Written June 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hdanielle6420
1 contribution
Apr 2022 • Family
We used Almost Heaven kayak rentals to kayak around the mangroves in Florida. The woman who I spoke to when I made my reservation was SO kind and patient with me. I had so many questions and she answered all of them. They really made sure that our family would get a good experience in the mangroves, and their kayaks are top notch!
Written April 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a better time of day to schedule to increase chance of seeing dolphins or manatees?
Written February 12, 2022
I went with the earliest tour (9:30am) and we saw a group of manatees. They came up to our kayaks and were swimming around us. I think that the morning is a good time to see animals.
Written August 23, 2022
Is there a better time of day to schedule a tour, which would increase the chances of seeing dolphins or manatees?
Written February 12, 2022
U saw a 12 foot alligator. Weren't you afraid of it or afraid that it might come after the people in the canoes?
Written January 18, 2019
It is unlikely for one to see an alligator in saltwater. In fresh water alligators are prevalent. If kayaking in freshwater, make sure you check with Florida Fish and Wildlife website before you go.
Written May 24, 2022
Siesta key tour or Mangrove tour- what's the difference?
Written February 21, 2018
Hi there. Our Lido Mangrove Tunnel tour is our most popular tour because of the incredible canopy covered kayak trails through a Mangrove forest! The Siesta Key Tour is beautiful as well, but there are no Mangrove Tunnels. Instead, we paddle through a serene nature preserve and take a break on a secluded beach where there is an oppurtunity for some of the best shelling in the area! Either one is a great way to spend a couple hours on the water. Also if you are lucky, there is a chance of seeing dolphins or manatees on either tour. Thanks and we look forward to paddling with you.
Will (Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures)
Written February 21, 2018
How far in advance do you recommend making a reservation? We are planning over Thanksgiving break this year.
Written January 7, 2017
We booked it like the day before, so I don't think there's a line for it. There was only one couple who went with us on the morning trip so it was more of a personal tour.
Written March 6, 2017
joanacansler
Sarasota, Florida
My husband has a bad knee. Im wondering if he could get in and out of kayak.
Also, how long would we be kayaking?
Written September 27, 2016
Hello
We use sit on top kayaks which are easier to get in and out of . the lido mangrove tunes tour lasts for 2 1/2 hrs
Many Thanks
Sarah
Written September 28, 2016
joanacansler
Sarasota, Florida
Never kayaked before. How long would I be in the kayak? Are we in the sun most of the time? Is it hard for an older person to get in and out of the kayak?
Written September 27, 2016
Hello
The best tour for Beginners would be the Lido mangrove tunes tour which lasts for 2 1/2 hrs l. You would be in the kayaks for the duration of the tour.
The tour is in 2 parts the first half you are on the bay looking for wildlife the second half you are in the mangrove tunnels and there it is shady.
The tour is enjoyable for all ages
Many Thanks
Sarah
Written September 28, 2016
My son is 4 but an excellent swimmer and adventurous. Was hoping to do a tour next week (he and I) if that's possible?
Written August 28, 2016
I would think he would be fine. the water is calm, the kids wear life vests. And you would be in a double kayak with him. Our tour there were small kids. I think the grandparents had more problems than the little kids actually!
Written September 2, 2016
Showing results 1-10 of 10