Admire our waters from high in the sky on a parasailing adventure, or stay on the surface for water sports like kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddling. Or let someone else do the driving and go out on a fishing or sailboat charter. Water sports are available on the mainland, too, so don’t think you have to stick to the coast. Paddle the estuaries in Bradenton and rivers near Lakewood Ranch for calmer waters.
Kayaking & Canoeing
See the real Florida on a leisurely paddle through the mangroves at Robinson Preserve in Bradenton, or explore the bays of Anna Maria Island. Take an eco-tour through some of the area’s natural habitats, or rent a kayak or canoe and go out on your own. There’s a good chance you’ll get an up-close look at some of our wildlife: native birds, manatees or maybe even a pod of dolphins. Kayak Tourson Anna Maria Island offers tours and rentals, and Canoe Outpost - Little Manatee River is perfect for navigating calmer waters.
Parasailing
Go on a parasailing adventure to see the water from a completely different point of view – a bird’s-eye view, to be exact. Feel like a human kite as a boat pulls you (and a friend, if you’d rather share the adventure) through the sky 500 feet above the Gulf. Spot dolphins, turtles, rays and other sea life from your perch, and don’t forget to appreciate how calm and relaxing the experience is – and the incredible views it gives you. Have some fun in the sky with Fun & Sun Parasail.Stand-Up Paddling
Get a great workout – and have fun, too! – with the newest craze, stand-up paddling. This surfing-kayaking hybrid is a unique way to paddle where dolphins play and, if you’re more confident, through a tunnel of mangroves. Learn with a local guide from Native Rentals, or get an overview of the sport and rent a paddleboard from Feeling Swell Surfbar and Cafe. Both are on Anna Maria Island.
Sailboat Charters
Sail into the sunset aboard a chartered catamaran. Let someone else do the tacking and jibing while you sit back and relax, cool drink in hand (soft drinks and bottled water are often included) and the horizon so close it’s almost as if you can touch it. Take a two-hour excursion with Kathleen D. Charters.
Fishing Charters
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or you’ve never cast a line in your life, board an inshore or deep-sea charter and reel in “the big one.” Depending on the season, you can fish for tarpon, sheepshead, mackerel or other fish in the waters surrounding Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key. Try Full Boat Charters, Legend Fishing Charters, Rooster Chartersor a host of other charters. Most are open to fishermen and -women of all ages and experience levels, so bring the whole family.
Horse Surfing
Forget hitting the trails – this is the type of horsing around you want to experience. Great World Nature Tourslets you surf atop horses in Bradenton’s Palma Sola Bay. Start out horseback riding on the beach beside the bay, then – as your horse wades into the water – stand up on its bare back and “ride” the waves. The horse is the one doing the actual surfing, so all you have to do is keep your balance and enjoy the ride.
