Outdoors: Dec. 17-23
OUTDOORS: Fun things to do
DATED EVENTS
American Littoral Society: various locations
Society offers the following nature tours and kayak trips:
Myakka River State Park, Sarasota, kayak trip, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Dec. 19. Cost: $20 members, $25 nonmembers, plus entrance fee into the park.
Don Pedro State Park, Lemon Bay, Englewood, kayak trip, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dec. 20. Cost: $25 members, $30 nonmembers.
Myakka River State Park, Sarasota, kayak trip, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Dec. 23. Cost: $20 members, $25 nonmembers, plus entrance fee into the park.
Little Sarasota Bay to Palmer Point Beach, Sarasota, Christmas kayak trip, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 25.
Myakka River State Park, Sarasota, kayak trip, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Dec. 26. Cost: $20 members, $25 nonmembers, plus entrance fee into the park.
All kayak equipment is provided and is included in the cost of the trip. A short training session will be given. Participants are encouraged to wear sunscreen and bring drinking water. Unless otherwise noted, all trips are $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. Reservations are required. Information: 941-966-7308.
Camping
Frog Creek RV Resort: 8515 Bayshore Road, Palmetto
Frog Creek RV Resort, on historic Frog Creek just north of Palmetto, offers a special summer rate of $25 a day, plus electricity, for a family of four at their resort. The resort features a swimming pool and kayaking and canoeing. Call for package pricing: 800-771-3764 or visit frogcreek.us.com.
FLYBOARDING
Top Gun Flyboards: 8400 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton
Top Gun Flyboards brings the excitement of flight to Bradenton and offers flyboarding instruction and rentals 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays for all who want to fly high or low, fast of slow, aggressive or mellow. The company, provides flyboard certified instructors. Appointments and information: 941-565-1727 or topgunflyboards.com.
NATURE TOURS
Emerson Point Preserve Nature Tours: Emerson Point Preserve, Snead Island
Master Gardeners conduct free tours at 9 a.m. on at least one Saturday and one Sunday each month. Tours are limited to 12 people, and reservations must be made through the Master Gardener office. A portion of the tour is handicap accessible. The office is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Information: 941-722-4524.
Sarasota Bay Explorers: Mote Aquarium on City Island, Sarasota
Now offering a new eco-tour, Nature Safari, with in-depth looks into the ecosystems of southwest Florida. View bird nests and watch for creatures of the bay. Observe bottlenose dolphins, manatees and sea turtles up close. Cruises run daily at 11 a.m., and 1:30 and 4 p.m. Regular tour rate is $26 adults, $22 children ages 4-12. Aquarium admission not included. Information: 941-388-4200.
Walk on the Wild Side Eco-Tours: 629 41st St., Sarasota
Guided canoeing, kayaking, hiking and wildlife viewing tours throughout west central Florida. Half-day, full-day, moonlight and overnight trips. All equipment and transportation is provided and instruction is available. Tours start at $30 a person and are available 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Sunday. Information: 941-351-6500.
Boat rides and charters: Captain Kim's, South Coquina Boat Ramp, Bradenton Beach
Captain Kim's Boat Rides and Charters offers dolphin tours, historical tours, bird watching tours, sea shelling tours, hands-on eco tours, sightseeing rides, sand bar hopping, boat rides and charters. Hourly rates: $15 per person. Reservations and information: 941-920-3307 or kimscharters.com.
SEGWAY TOURS
Anna Maria Island Segway Tours: Anna Maria Island
AMI Segway Tours takes visitors along the Gulf of Mexico and Intracoastal Waterway, exploring, Historic Bridge Street, Anna Maria City Pier, Bean Point, and more. Tours, which are offered seven days a week, are limited to six guests and start at $40 a person. Ticket includes training, helmet, water and photo opportunities. Reservations suggested. Call 941-565-2082, visit Zegwaybythebay.com or stop in at the Paradise Bagel Cafe, 3220 East Bay Drive, Holmes Beach.
Segs by the Sea: 119 C Bridge St., Bradenton Beach
Segs by the Sea offers scenic Segway tours of Anna Maria Island and the surrounding beaches including Longboat Key and their newest addition, the Heritage History Tour. Tour options include one hour, 90 minutes, and two hours and cost between $40-$60. Segway rentals are also available, including rentals of bikes, electric bikes, and stand-up paddle boards. Training and helmets are included in all tours and rentals. Reservations are 8 a.m.-sunset. Information: 941-209-5970 or segsbythesea.com.
Florida Ever-Glides: The Ritz Carlton, Sarasota
Segway Tours of downtown Sarasota and through St. Armands Circle are offered by Florida Ever-Glides Inc. The three-hour guided tours are $85 a person and are limited to six riders. Tours are offered daily 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Ages 12-70-plus are welcome. Reservations are required. Information: 941-363-9556 or floridaever-glides.com.
BOATING
Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures: Bradenton/Sarasota area
Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures offers trips to Anna Maria, Braden River, Cabbage Key, Cayo Costa, Don Pedro Island, Egmont Key, Fisheating Creek, Hillsborough River, Little Manatee River, Longboat Key, Myakka River, Peace River, Rainbow Springs, Siesta Key/Turtle Beach and South Lido Beach. Rentals and lessons also available. Information: 941-504-6296 or kayakfl.com.
AMI Parasail: Anna Maria Island
Parasail over the Gulf of Mexico with the area's oldest parasail operator. Dry takes-offs and landings for 2-3 people at a time. Information and reservations: 941-778-5000.
Beach Bum Billy's: 427 Pine Ave., Anna Maria
Charter or rent a boat at Beach Bum Billy's, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Sunday. Information: 941-778-3316.
Freedom Boat Club: 1005 Riverside Drive, Palmetto
Club offers use of 30 boats of various sizes, and members have unlimited use of boats. Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., daily. Information: 888-781-7363.
Hughy's Kayak Rentals and Tours: 12507 Cortez Road
Explore the bay area of historic Cortez and Anna Maria Island on a kayak. Rent a kayak and explore on your own or take our guided eco-tour that allows you to get up close to dolphins, manatees and many types of sea birds and sea life. Tours daily during the summer and weekends during fall and winter. Information and reservations: 941-321-0233.
Kathleen D Sailing Catamaran: 1000 First Ave. W., Bradenton
Kathleen D Sailing Catamaran offers cruises to Egmont Key 10 a.m. Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays departing from the Seafood Shack in Cortez. The 6-hour sail costs $79 per adult, $59 per child ages 11 and younger. Snorkel equipment, lunch, water and soft drinks will be provided. Information and reservations: 941-870-4349.
This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 12:01 PM with the headline "Outdoors: Dec. 17-23 ."