A Mindful Traveler's Guide to Outdoor Adventure in Sarasota

Sarasota is an outdoor playground built for every kind of traveler — the eco-conscious explorer looking to tread lightly and the thrill-seeker chasing the next catch, cast, or trail. From warm Gulf waters to scrub flatwoods and river preserves, this destination offers endless ways to explore the outdoors.

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Paddling & Water Sports on Sarasota's Waterways

With miles of stunning coastline, Sarasota is a paddler's paradise. The exotic mangrove tunnels of Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach are best explored by kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Many paddlers cruise the blue waterways of Sarasota Bay in search of dolphins, while others grab a longboard or surfboard for small-wave riding at the Venice Jetties. When the surf is flat, skimboard shallow shorelines at any of the region’s beaches, including Siesta Beach, Lido Beach, Nokomis Beach and Manasota Beach.

Farther inland, explore the area’s freshwater Blueway trails. Launch from public boat ramps and kayak launches at places like Ken Thompson Park, Blackburn Point Park, or Centennial Park and Boat Ramp. Keep an eye out for native wildlife—you might spot manatees, dolphins, turtles, or fish.

Rent equipment or book a guided tour with a local operator who knows the mangroves well:

• Kayaking SRQ
• Happy Paddler Kayak Tours & EcoVentures
• Dolphin Paddlesports, located inside Economy Tackle
• SURFit USA

For an e-bike-style paddle, eFoil Sarasota rents electric hydrofoil boards for a faster ride across Siesta Key and Lido Key waters.

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Freshwater & Saltwater Fishing

An angler’s paradise, Sarasota Bay has more than 200 fish species. Head out to the Gulf or the Intracoastal Waterway for a day of deep-sea fishing or backcountry angling. Catch snook, snapper, redfish, grouper, tuna and tarpon.

Plenty of inshore fishing holes and piers also offer great casting spots, including Bird Key Park, Nora Patterson Bay Island Park, Ken Thompson Park, and the Venice Fishing Pier. Hire a local guide for a fresh catch, or rent gear and head out on your own:

• Captain Experiences lets you compare and book vetted local charters by species, group size, and price.
• CB's Saltwater Outfitters, Siesta Key's largest on-the-water bait and tackle shop, offers boat rentals and inshore and offshore fishing charters.

Florida residents and visitors need a fishing license, which you can buy online or at a local outfitter (charter guests are typically covered under the captain's license). The Fish | Hunt FL app lets you renew or store licenses, check current regulations, and locate boat ramps and tide stations.

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Snorkeling & Diving

Dive into Sarasota's clear waters and uncover a wonderland. You can snorkel right off the beach to spot small fish and hunt for seashells, head offshore on a boat to one of Lido Key's or Longboat Key's many sandbars for sand dollars, or head south to Caspersen Beach in Venice — the "Shark Tooth Capital of the World" — to unearth fossilized shark teeth.

If you're not yet certified, take an introductory dive class at a local dive shop, or rent gear and book a charter for an underwater excursion off the Gulf Coast.

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Eco Boat Tours, Marine Science & Wildlife Cruises

For a gentler way to explore Sarasota Bay, book an eco-boat tour with Cruisin' Tikis Sarasota, a floating tiki hut where your crew can enjoy a few drinks onboard while sightseeing.

For a hands-on marine science experience, Sarasota Bay Explorers — working in partnership with Mote Marine Laboratory — runs interactive boat trips from City Island, including the renowned SeaLife Encounter Cruise, guided kayak tours and sunset cruises, plus private charters for groups.

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Biking, Hiking & the Legacy Trail

Southwest Florida may not be the first place that comes to mind for hiking, given its flat land and beaches, but there are dozens of lush, forested spots to wander. While there are no mountain "summits" here, plenty of great day hikes let you log steps and take in the scenery.

For cycling, the Legacy Trail is an 18.5-mile paved trail running from downtown Sarasota to the Historic Venice Train Depot, popular for biking, walking, jogging, rollerblading, and scootering. Thanks to the North Port Connector and Venetian Waterway Park Trail, the broader Legacy Trail system now spans more than 30 continuous miles, linking Sarasota, Venice, and North Port. Bike rentals are available at various locations throughout the county, or opt for an e-bike experience with Sarasota Bike Tours.

For off-road riding, head out east to Myakka River State Park and Myakka State Forest for dirt trails, or to North Port, home to miles of primitive, canopy-covered mountain biking trails along Myakkahatchee Creek. For motorsport enthusiasts, Arcadia Peace River Campground (a short drive northeast of the county, in DeSoto County) offers areas for ATVing and 4-wheeling along the scenic river.

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Camping Under the Stars

Camping equipment, cost, and availability vary by campsite and campground, so check ahead before you pitch a tent. Options around Sarasota County include:

• Turtle Beach Campground in Siesta Key
• Myakka River State Park in Sarasota
• Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey
• Carlton Reserve in Venice
• Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in North Port

Knight Trail Park in Nokomis also offers a primitive campsite, though it's reserved for youth-serving nonprofit organizations rather than general public camping.

Horseback Riding

Saddle up for a serene horseback ride through the picturesque Myakka River State Park or Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, both of which permit horseback riding on designated trails. As you traverse the scenic paths, immerse yourself in an Old Florida landscape and catch glimpses of native wildlife along the way. Deer Prairie Creek Preserve is one of the county's top spots for equestrian adventures, with the cooler months (roughly October through May) the most comfortable time to ride.

Shooting Sports & Archery

For those with a passion for precision and marksmanship, Knight Trail Park in Nokomis offers several shooting disciplines. Sarasota Trap, Skeet & Sporting Clays manages the trap and skeet fields, with golf-cart riding around the scenic course and equipment available to rent. The park also has an outdoor pistol and rifle range, overseen by Sarasota County Parks and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, open to shooters of all levels.

Test your focus and accuracy with archery at Sarasota Archers. This members-based club welcomes the public to youth and adult lessons (a $5 donation is requested). Knight Trail Park also has a separate archery range operated by the Lekatchka Archery Club.

Hunting in Sarasota County

Sarasota County's natural beauty extends beyond its beaches to a hunting tradition rooted in the region's history. Aspiring hunters can explore designated hunting grounds in Myakka State Forest and Orange Hammock Wildlife Management Area, which offer opportunities to hunt deer, turkey, wild hogs, migratory waterfowl, and small game like quail in a regulated, sustainable manner.

Florida residents and visitors need a hunting license, which the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission issues online. Season dates, hunting zones, species, and bag limits change annually, so always check the FWC's current hunting regulations before you head out.

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Birding & Wildlife Watching

Wildlife abounds in Southwest Florida, with native neighbors such as sandhill cranes, eastern indigo snakes, bobcats, sea turtles, manatees, and egrets. Nesting season runs roughly December through May, and the best time to spot birds is generally in the early morning during the winter months.

Celery Fields is one of Florida's best birding hotspots, a rest stop for migratory birds where more than 300 species have been recorded nesting and foraging. It's also home to the Sarasota Audubon Society's visitor and nature center. For more feathery field guides, the Venice Area Audubon Rookery is another local chapter worth a visit.

The Florida scrub jay is easy to spot along the trails at Oscar Scherer State Park, along with bobcats, bald eagles, gopher tortoises, white-tailed deer, and raccoons. Meanwhile, many adventurers head to Myakka River State Park hoping to glimpse alligators sunbathing along the riverbanks.

There's always something new to spot through the binoculars at the county's other natural hideaways, including Jelks Preserve, Rothenbach Park, Quick Point Nature Preserve, Sleeping Turtles Preserve and Lemon Bay Park. Quick Point Nature Preserve, a hidden 34-acre gem at the start of Longboat Key, offers trails, boardwalks, tidal pools, and great wildlife viewing of pelicans, crabs, and turtles — and it's a solid spot to cast a line for inshore fish, too.

For animal encounters with a conservation focus, several local sanctuaries and rehabilitation centers welcome visitors: Sarasota Jungle Gardens is home to more than 200 native and exotic animals, many of them rescued; Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary gives roughly 150 captive-born exotic animals a forever home; and Save Our Seabirds, on City Island, rescues, rehabilitates and releases sick and injured wild birds, with its Wild Bird Learning Center home to more than 100 permanent residents unable to return to the wild.

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State Parks, Preserves & Conservation Lands

Myakka River State Park and Oscar Scherer State Park have small entrance fees, while Sarasota County and city parks, preserves, and beaches have no fees.

• Oscar Scherer State Park covers 1,381 acres of rare scrubby flatwoods and pine habitat, with 15 miles of walking and biking trails. Frequent wildlife sightings include alligators, armadillos, eagles, and egrets.
• Myakka River State Park covers roughly 58 square miles and features an 85-foot Canopy Walkway, a suspended bridge high in the treetops with an adjoining 74-foot tower for panoramic views. The walkway has been repaired after recent hurricane damage but may close periodically for maintenance, so check the park's status before planning a visit around it.
• At The Bay Park, enjoy a variety of outdoor activities across the beautifully landscaped downtown park. From pickleball, yoga, and tai chi to guided nature tours and family movie nights on the green lawn, programming is free and open to the public.
• Historic Spanish Point, a Selby Gardens campus in Osprey, offers bayfront vistas and the region's only butterfly house, home to more than 160 native Florida butterfly species. Stroll the preserved gardens, discover a tropical secret garden, and take in native coastal mangroves, oak trees, pines, and ferns.
• At Crowley Museum & Nature Center, explore a 191-acre farmstead established in 1878, complete with rare Florida habitats, pioneer buildings and heritage farm animals, plus interactive programming on pioneer history and wilderness survival skills.

Conservation in Action: Give Back While You Explore

Big Waters Land Trust — a Sarasota-founded nonprofit that rebranded from the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast in late 2024 — is on a mission to protect the land, wildlife, and waterways of Southwest Florida, conserving the special places that shape the region's cultural heritage and quality of life. Check the organization's calendar of events for public programs at Bay Preserve at Osprey, guided preserve tours at Myakka Headwaters Preserve, and family-friendly water-quality programs for young marine lovers along Little Sarasota Bay.

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Outdoor Festivals & Events

• The Venice Shark's Tooth Festival draws fossil collectors to the "Shark Tooth Capital of the World" each spring, typically in April, to hunt for shark teeth and other prehistoric fossils along the Venice shoreline.
• The Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sandsculpting Festival takes over Siesta Beach each November, when master sand sculptors from around the world compete over four days to create museum-quality works of sand art.
• Englewood Beach Waterfest, now held each October, brings offshore powerboat racing and a beachfront festival village to Englewood—check the event's website for the current year's family and conservation programming, which varies from year to year.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time of year for outdoor activities?

The dry season, roughly October through May, offers the most comfortable temperatures, lower humidity, and the best wildlife viewing.

Do I need a permit for camping or parking?

There's no entrance, user, or parking fee at any Sarasota County or city park, preserve, or beach. Myakka River State Park and Oscar Scherer State Park charge a small vehicle entrance fee, and camping at state parks and county campgrounds requires a reservation, typically made directly through the park or campground.

Will I have cell service on the trails?

Coverage is generally reliable throughout most of the county's parks and beaches. Still, it can be spotty in the more remote interior of Myakka River State Park, Myakka State Forest, and the Carlton and Deer Prairie Creek preserves. Download offline maps and let someone know your route and return time before heading into backcountry areas.

What should I do if I encounter wildlife?

Never approach, feed, or touch wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and dolphins — it's illegal in Florida and dangerous for both you and the animal. Keep dogs leashed near water, since alligators can mistake pets for prey, and give nesting shorebirds a wide berth on the beach.

What gear should I pack?

Sun protection, water, bug spray, and closed-toe shoes are year-round essentials. For water activities, pack a dry bag for electronics, a whistle or other signaling device, and a life jacket for kids or non-swimmers. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so plan to check the radar.

Are any trails wheelchair-accessible?

Yes. The Legacy Trail is a paved, level path suitable for wheelchairs and adaptive cycles for its full length. Myakka River State Park's Canopy Walkway area and main park road are accessible, and most of the trails at Historic Spanish Point are wheelchair-accessible. Check individual park or preserve accessibility pages before you go.

Are dogs allowed on trails and in parks?

Rules vary by state park and preserve. Leashed dogs are welcome on many county park trails, including the Legacy Trail and the Boylston Nature Trail at Myakka River State Park. Dogs are generally not allowed on public beaches in Sarasota, except in a few designated dog-friendly areas.

Where can I rent outdoor equipment?

Operators throughout the region rent kayaks, paddleboards, and bikes, including Kayaking SRQ, Happy Paddler Kayak Tours & EcoVentures, SURFit USA and Dolphin Paddlesports for paddlesports, and Sarasota Bike Tours for bikes and e-bikes. CB's Saltwater Outfitters rents boats, and Myakka Outpost, inside Myakka River State Park, rents kayaks, canoes, and bikes for exploring the park itself.