Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
If you've ever wanted to witness the wonder of manatees in their natural habitat, our Manatee Discovery Tour is the perfect choice for you. What sets our activity apart is the opportunity to embark on a kayaking journey specifically designed to encounter these magnificent creatures. Led by our experienced naturalists, our small group guided tours last for 2 hours and take place in the Anna Maria Island/Bradenton area, where manatees are commonly spotted. As you explore the serene waters, keep your eyes peeled for not only manatees, but also dolphins, ospreys, and other local wildlife that may make an appearance. It's an extraordinary experience, so come join us and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Travelers should bring their own water and snacks
What To Expect
If you've ever dreamed of spotting a manatee in its natural habitat, you're in luck! Our Manatee Discovery Tour offers a unique kayaking experience that allows you to witness these majestic creatures up close. Led by our experienced naturalists, these small group guided eco-tours last for 2 hours and take place in the beautiful Anna Maria Island/Bradenton area, where manatees are frequently seen. As you paddle along, keep an eye out for dolphins, ospreys, and other fascinating local wildlife that may cross your path. It's an adventure you won't want to miss! Please note that we use tandem kayaks. If there is a solo customer or odd numbered group we will set up one single kayak to accommodate. We use tandem kayaks to reduce our footprint in the manatees environment making sure we do our best to not disturb them. Please call with any questions or requests.
Options
Manatee Discovery Anna Maria Island
What‘s Included
Paddles
Life jackets
Kayaks
Dry bags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
495 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing encounter!!
nicholet916,May 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing experience!! We saw manatees up close and even a dolphin! Tommy was super knowledgeable and fun! And Blaze was awesome too! Highly recommend this kayak tour!!
Dreams Coming True
Allison G,May 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour guides are extremely knowledgeable and welcoming. They also were very conscious about protecting the wildlife which we loved! We got to live our life long dream of seeing manatees in the wild. Additionally, we saw dolphins, fish and all kinds of wildlife!! Blaze was epic.
Amazing guides!
H9259AZadamt,May 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tommy and Blaze were both great! Very enthusiastic and excited to share the manatee experience! Had some very close encounters today, and a dolphin!
Really good!!
301avat,May 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was amazing!! We got to see 3-4 manatees and a dolphin! I went with my family and we all had a great time! The guides are super helpful too and talk to you a lot during the tour and giving you fun facts!
Amazing experience
jameshH2022QC,May 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Andrew was extremely knowledgeable and informative about the local marine life we saw. He took the time to educate us about what we were experiencing. His assistant was Colin and both men were very personable and welcoming. They both went above and beyond to ensure that everyone on the tour had an amazing time. 20 out of 10 would highly recommend.
Great Adventure
486alicjar,May 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience with awesome tour guides! Highly recommended.
Amazing tour and education, even better people
JKime,May 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked an early morning tour but the weather wasn’t cooperating so the guides made the call to push back our launch and we were so thankful! Upon meeting up, Kinsey and Jack were ready to hit the water but made sure all parties were available even if they were a little late. With the sun shining and some great instructions we launched for our tour. The pace was perfect for experienced kayakers and beginners alike and we moved along looking for the wonderful potatoes of the sea (manatees)…spotting one right away that we followed closely. Along the way we learned about the signs to spot them on our own, which paid dividends when sitting on the beach the next day, and several facts about the habitats and creatures around us. We stopped by the sandbar for a while to see other sea life and they kept the education coming. We booked for 2 hours but there was never a race against the clock to return, we ended up on the water well past “the limit” because there were more manatees to see and our guides wanted to keep the good times going. This was a major highlight of our family vacation and one our kids (13, 11 and 8) will always remember. There were so many highlights it’s hard to mention them all but the one thing worth noting is the AMAZING passion and knowledge of our guides. Kinsey truly cares about the manatees and AMI area, he was thankful for all of the visitors and was available for recommendations of any sort for the area. When we come back we will definitely book another adventure with Florida Blue Water Adventures even if it’s just to hangout on the water to learn more about the area.
Highlight of our vacation!
Darci S,May 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This experience was the highlight of our vacation and we got to see 5 different manatees!! The tour guides did a wonderful job and provided fun facts and information about the different animal species we encountered. 10/10 experience!!
Fun time! Highly recommend!
Y2336VXmichelleb,May 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time. The manitees swam right by our kayak and surfaced. Very cool experience. The guide was fun and experienced.
A must so if in the area!
883lishaa,May 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Andrew was extremely knowledgeable about the local marine life and was a very entertaining and personable guide. He took the time to ensure that everyone had a great time on the tour. Colin was his assistant and was also extremely helpful and nice. Both guys deserve a 20 out of 10. Highly recommend.
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Operated by Florida Blue Adventures