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Must Do Tours, Cruises, and Sightseeing in the Sarasota Area

Sarasota • Siesta Key • Longboat Key • Lido Key • Venice

A perfect way to kick-off your Sarasota, Florida visit is to take a tour to get a broad overview of the region and all its intriguing points of interest. Take advantage of the multitude of tour options and make arrangements to explore the Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key, and the Venice area.

Wildlife & Nature Tours

From mangrove tunnels to the warm turquoise waters of the Gulf, the Gulf Coast’s breathtaking landscape offers an up-close opportunity for an enchanting encounter with exotic birds and marine life including manatees and bottlenose dolphins.

The bottlenose dolphin is one of the area’s most popular residents and Sarasota’s 150 identifiable resident dolphins have been observed and studied for more than 40 years! Dolphins often swim and play alongside sightseeing tours and an encounter with these fun-loving and smart creatures is sure to be one of the highlights of your visit.

Sightseeing Tours

Oftentimes, the ideal way to learn about an area is to sit back and let local experts take the wheel. Tops sightseeing tours include guided tours to secluded beaches, swampy areas to see alligators, spectacular sunset cruises, educational birding tours, and historian led tours of significant buildings.

Hop on an airboat or immerse yourself in a museum, whether you choose a private or group setting the area offers exhilarating, educational, and exciting tours for adults and kids of all ages.

Be sure to check the DEALS tab in the top MENU for great coupon savings on area Tours!

See more things to do in Sarasota, Longboat Key, Lido Key, Siesta Key and Venice Florida.

Must Do Tours, Cruises, and Sightseeing in the Sarasota Area

Siesta Key Watersports Cruises

Sunset, Dolphin, and Sightseeing Tours and Cruises The entire family will enjoy seeing dolphins and other wildlife in their natural environment or a scenic tour to watch a memorable Siesta Key Gulf of Mexico Florida sunset. Sunset & Dolphin Cruises depart daily approximately 1 hour before sunset. Siesta Key Watersports also offers fun morning and daytime cruises for all ages!... Read More

Peace River Charters in Arcadia

Scenic and Exciting Peace River Airboat and Swamp Buggy Tours Native Floridian and USCG Captain Zac Varner and his knowledgeable guides offer safe, enjoyable, and family-friendly airboat and swamp buggy tours. Experience the beauty of Florida’s natural environment; observe wildlife such as alligators, deer, wild boar, and turkey, while learning the history of the Peace River. Each tour is personalized based on the group, from... Read More

Ride & Paddle Kayak Tours and Rentals

Siesta Key & Sarasota Guided Eco-Tours Explore the exotic mangroves and grass flats of serene Little Sarasota Bay in Sarasota, Florida. This memorable, exciting, and family-friendly 2½ hour Siesta Key guided kayak tour includes a stop at a secluded beach! Ride & Paddle also offers 2-hour guided kayak nature tours at... Read More

Sarasota Bay Explorers

Sea Life Encounter Eco Tours Both kids and adults will enjoy this fun and educational guided Sea Life Encounter boat cruise! The 1 hour and 45-minute eco tour offers an opportunity to observe and learn about the area's resident dolphins, manatees (seasonal), native birds, and more. Kids especially love the hands-on interaction and observation of marine life. The opportunity to hold or touch various marine... Read More

LeBarge Tropical Cruises in Sarasota

Offering a wide variety of family-friendly cruise tour options for over 30 years. Sightseeing and Nature Cruise Relax and enjoy an educational and fun Sightseeing and Nature Cruise. Discover Sarasota’s history, see local wildlife, and spectacular waterfront homes on this two-hour narrated tour. Tours depart at 2 p.m. each afternoon Tuesday through Saturday and daily in Season. Dolphin Watch Cruise The two-hour Dolphin Encounter Cruise is offered... Read More

Venice Parasailing & Tours

Experience incredible panoramic views of the Gulf, Venice Beach, Nokomis, and Casey Key on an exciting parasailing ride with Venice, Florida's #1 parasailing company! Anyone over the age of 5 can go on a fun parasailing ride, it is fun, safe, and exciting for the entire family! No experience is required. Venice Parasailing &... Read More

HydroCats Sightseeing Boat Tours

HydroCats in Sarasota, Florida provides unforgettable guided sightseeing tours of the Intracoastal Waterway, Sarasota Bay, Lido Key, and Bird Key aboard 2-person power catamaran boats. Discover the beauty of Sarasota from the water with HydroCats! Each HydroCats guided, 2-hour sightseeing tour is a unique experience that offers an opportunity to learn about the... Read More

Sarasota Suncoast Tours

Sarasota Suncoast Tours offers family-friendly shark tooth hunting, beachcombing, ghost, historical, and culinary tours. Tours are offered in St. Armands Circle, downtown Sarasota, Venice, and Anna Maria Island, Florida. Their entertaining guides share stories tailored to each tour’s theme. Reservations are required. Read Sarasota Suncoast Tours' featured blog post! Downtown Sarasota: Historic Women of... Read More

Historic Venice Train Depot Tour

Discover Venice Train Depot’s rich history with a train depot tour. Stroll through Rollins W. Coakley Railroad Park, featuring scenic walkways, picnic tables, and a restored caboose. Volunteer docents from Venice Area Historical Society provide free docent-led tours of the historic Venice Train Depot and its surrounding campus. The length of tours can vary based on visitors needs. Self-guided tours are also offered. Learn... Read More

The Ringling Ca' d’Zan Mansion in Sarasota

Located on Sarasota Bay, The Ringling Ca' d’Zan mansion was home to John and Mable Ringling. The 36,000-square-foot mansion reflects the splendor and romance of Italy. The five-story structure features 41 rooms and 15 bathrooms. The Venetian Gothic Sarasota Bay mansion is truly eye-catching with its decorative pink sandstone exterior and beautiful multi-colored marble terrace. The Ringling Ca' d'Zan is lavishly decorated with wrought-iron balconies,... Read More

Key Culinary Tours in Sarasota

Sarasota Area Culinary Tours Taste a variety of delicious selections of gourmet cuisine from area restaurants during a 3-hour walking culinary tour. Guests will enjoy generous servings and exclusive visits from restaurant managers or chefs. Water is provided at each stop but guests are welcome to purchase other beverages separately. Key Culinary Tours’ entertaining guides also share insight of the area’s unique history and cultural... Read More

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