SURFit USA
SURFit USA
5
Surfing & WindsurfingStand Up PaddleboardingKayaking & Canoeing
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Full view
About
Providing amazing paddleboarding and kayaking in Sarasota since 2012! We love sharing these beautiful waterways with the world. As transplants from Hawaii, we love playing in the ocean and we work hard to make your adventure is comfortable, safe and fun!
Lido Key, Florida
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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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
670 reviews
Excellent
642
Very good
18
Average
7
Poor
2
Terrible
1
ablynch2021
1 contribution
Apr 2021 • Family
We booked our family of four to tour the Lido Key mangrove tunnels, the kids were 12 and 14. Orion was a very knowledgeable guide, I love his passion and his background in environmental science showed as he was able to answer any question.
We had two kayaks and two SUP for our family, all were very comfortable and easy to use. Only one of us went in the water and that was on purpose.
Our tour took us out into the open water first where I saw a juvenile bonnet head shark, then we watched manatees from a respectful distance and paddled back to the tunnels with cormorants diving under us for fish.
The tunnels have a facinating history, a pest control measure turned tourist attraction. There were quite a few people out but Orion took us through a few different tunnels to help us find quieter, more tranquil areas.
Overall this was a great experience and we will be back!
We had two kayaks and two SUP for our family, all were very comfortable and easy to use. Only one of us went in the water and that was on purpose.
Our tour took us out into the open water first where I saw a juvenile bonnet head shark, then we watched manatees from a respectful distance and paddled back to the tunnels with cormorants diving under us for fish.
The tunnels have a facinating history, a pest control measure turned tourist attraction. There were quite a few people out but Orion took us through a few different tunnels to help us find quieter, more tranquil areas.
Overall this was a great experience and we will be back!
Written April 26, 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.
Thanks so much for the review! And, very lucky that you were able to see a bonnet head shark---those are pretty rare sightings out at the mangrove tunnels. Orion is a great guide---he knows a lot about the area and he loves to show it off. Hope to see you again!
Written April 27, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
howietrout
Hawthorn Woods, IL36 contributions
Jan 2022
This super fun, easy kayak trip through the mangroves is well worth it. If you kayak all the time, you don't need the tour, just rent kayaks from them and do it yourself.
We had Sam as our guide and she was low key, knowledgeable and fun. She took her time pointing out the sights of the area and filled us in on the wildlife.
We had Sam as our guide and she was low key, knowledgeable and fun. She took her time pointing out the sights of the area and filled us in on the wildlife.
Written January 8, 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.
sdysondesign15
Crystal Lake, IL1 contribution
Jul 2022 • Family
We booked an afternoon kayak tour through the Mongroves in Lido Bay. When we got there, it seemed a bit crowded, so we considered just doing our own self-guided tour instead. I’m so glad we didn’t. Even with about a dozen kayaks following her, our guide managed to make sure everyone was involved, could hear, and had the opportunity to see (and even safely touch) some of the wildlife and natural features. She emphasized safety for the individuals on the tour, the environment, and all living creatures within in it. It was ridiculously hot when we went, so I wish we would have brought along more water bottles because there was anything to purchase at the launch site, but we still had a great time.
Written August 8, 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.
Marcela P
2 contributions
Jul 2020
I 1,000% recommend renting kayaks/ paddle boards from surfit USA. The online booking process was quick and easy and if I had any questions I called and had my questions answers right away. We arrived at Ted Sterling park just a few minutes before our reservation time and our kayaks/ paddle boards were already unloaded and waiting for us at the dock. We were given a map to help us navigate and plenty of tips/ recommendations for spotting wildlife. I can’t wait to book with surfit again on my next visit to lido key!!
Written July 5, 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.
Vpraxis
2 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
As soon as we arrived we felt rushed and a bit like small children being corralled into kindergarten. IT felt slightly disorganized and clicky. The guides were loudly complaining about their last customers which had us feel a bit invisible. Once on the water our guide gave us a quick run-down of steering and braking - a bit too fast for my 14 year old daughter - and off we went. Our guide was knowledgeable and passionate about the wild life and water and even slightly reprimanded a few young men that were plowing through the grasslands on a jet ski. I really appreciated that! The mangrove trails were lovely and relaxing and i did not feel rushed at all. Overall a good experience but we would not go back.
Written April 12, 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.
Thank you so much for the review. I am so sorry the crew wasn't welcoming and that you felt rushed. It can get a bit hectic as they check people in but we always strive to make sure the experience is excellent from the beginning to end. If you would please give me a call at 941-952-8245, I would love to find a time to make this right for you. I am glad that you enjoyed the mangroves and your guide. It truly is a beautiful place and we love to share it with everyone.
Written April 14, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Terrence K
Itasca, IL1 contribution
Dec 2021
Well run, very organized activity from first contact online signup through the duration of the 2 hour kayaking trip. Guests have an option for either a standing paddleboard or kayak. We chose the kayak on Lido Key, and there is another trip on Siesta Key as well. We really enjoyed our tour. Our guide was great, he had a lot of knowledge about local flora and fauna. We saw cormorants, spider crabs, sea urchins, upside down jellyfish, comb jelly fish (both jellies are harmless), and starfish. Jumping fish in the bay as well. No manatees, but they tend to go up the rivers as the water gets colder in the winter. The mangrove tunnels were truly magical, and worth the price of admission alone. I highly recommend this tour.
Written December 30, 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.
Voyage709034
2 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
We had the most amazing tour with Marissa! Our group consisted of seven people, ages 7-75. We took three tandom and one single kayak out and felt safe and comfortable for each member of our group. Marissa guided us out to the open water and we were able to see a young male manatee upclose. She was so respectful of his territory and really made sure we were not bothering him or paddling too close in order to not scare him. We then entered into the mangrove area and learned all about the sea life there. She taught us about the sea urchins, upside down jellyfish, the tree crabs, starfish and more. We had a great time getting to hold a few of the sea life as well. The mangroves were amazing and we loved learning about the mangrove tree and how the tunnels came about. Truly a wonderful two hours spent on the water with a great tour guide who really knows and loves the area. 100% recommend SURFit and Marissa!
Written August 2, 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.
viviyanz
3 contributions
Oct 2021
I booked this tour last minute and I'm stoked I did! The 2 hour kayak tour was a great way to see the local plants and animals up close. The staff was friendly, the tour was interesting, and the price was very fair. Our tour guide Orion was friendly, knowledgable, and even spotted a few manatees for us follow and watch. The tour moves at a leisurely pace, giving you plenty of time to see the surroundings and stay cool under the warm Florida sun. If you're REALLY looking to see the manatees, I might consider booking the stand up paddle tour instead just so you can see the manatees a hair better from a standing vantage point rather than sitting at sea level (you'll likely only see their noses, the'yre pretty low energy) Overall, would highly recommend!
Written October 15, 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.
mkvkraats
Venice, FL1 contribution
Mar 2020
We had an excellent time at Ted Sperling Park renting paddle boards with SURFit USA. Aaron is great and knowledgeable about the local wild life. I highly recommend using SURFit USA when looking for a kayak or paddle board rental.
Written March 21, 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.
Glad you enjoyed yourselves. Aaron really does love showing off the area and the wildlife. Hope to see you again.
Written June 16, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Donna C
Washington DC, DC52 contributions
May 2022
Booking was a breeze, meeting point instructions were clear, and check in was easy. Jason was an excellent guide; he gave paddling instructions for the first time kayakers and paddleboarders, then off we went. The paddling itself was fairly easy (not a lot of wind) and Jason did his best to find us some manatees. He also talked about the local area and the ecosystem. I highly recommend this excursion!
Written May 31, 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.
No questions have been asked about this experience