Attractions: Turtle Beach

Just a few minutes from the bustle of Sarasota is Turtle Beach, a favourite local shoreline only a few short miles from Siesta Key beach. The area is quiet and well suited to paddling, and the Sarasota County trolley will drop you right there. As you move away from the shore, you’ll find calm water and a relaxed pace. You’ll begin on the intercostal and paddle down a short canal into the Bay. Along the way you’ll navigate around mangrove islands, pass through a mangrove tunnel or two and paddle alongside a bird rookery. The route continues around the mangrove islands of Jim Neville Marine Preserve and then reaches a small “secret” beach that is accessible only by boat and may be yours alone for a while. It’s a pleasant spot for a quick swim or to sit and relax. The area is home to a variety of wildlife, and you may see manatees, dolphins, sea and shorebirds, and lots of fish as you explore.