Outdoors: March 31-April 6

OUTDOORS: Fun things to do

DATED EVENTS

American Littoral Society: various locations

Society offers the following nature tours and kayak trips:

Peace River Estuary, Port Charlotte, kayak trip, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 31; $30 members, $35 nonmembers.

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.

Paradise Boat Tours: 200 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach

Paradise Boat Tours will offer two fundraising boat tours benefiting the Florida Maritime Museum 2 p.m. April 10. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 children ages 11 and younger. Paradise Boat Tours offers daily tours, including Sundays, of the Sarasota Bay and Anna Maria Sound 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on a 30-passenger wind protected Coast Guard inspected power Catamaran with covered seating and a forward observation area in the sun, offering guests amazing nature and wildlife sights on water. Sunset tours are available. Information: Capt. Sherman Baldwin at 941-465-8624 or seedolphins.com.

Monthly garden tours: Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Service, 1303 17th St. W., Palmetto

The University of Florida/IFAS Extension Manatee County Master Gardeners will host free guided tours of their educational demonstration gardens 10 a.m. April 19 and every third Tuesday of the month. The one-hour tours are designed to illustrate a variety of garden styles and techniques, demonstrate Florida-friendly landscaping principles and educate residents about plants that perform well in Florida landscapes. Visitors will walk through greenhouse, vegetable, butterfly, sensory and children's gardens. Tour reservations and information: 941-722-4524.

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.

Manatee River Boat Tours: Manatee River, Manatee County

Manatee River Boat Tours is offering boat trips daily. Boat tour times vary and each tour lasts approximately one hour and capacity is a maximum of six people. Tours are $20 a person, and reservations are required 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Information: 941-721-4230 or manateeriverboattours.com.

Manatee Sailing Association: Various locations in Bradenton

The Manatee Sailing Association is a club with programs to give members information, experience and events for fun and safe boating. The MSA meets the second Tuesday of each month. Membership information: Sandee at 941-729-3573.

Native Rentals: 5416 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach

Free kayak eco-tours and dealer tryouts, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., every Saturday through Perico Estuary at the northeast base of the Manatee Bridge. No experience necessary; kids welcome. Kayaks and all gear provided. Free for the first half hour and only $10/hour extensions and is deductible from kayak purchase. Information: 941-778-7757.

Oak Haven River Retreat: 12143 Riverhills Drive, Tampa

Oak Haven River Retreat offers guided sunrise canoe/kayak tours 7:30-9:30 a.m. Saturdays. Canoe and kayak rentals are available 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Rentals are available by the hour, half-day or full day. Rates per canoe/kayak: $12 an hour; $28 for a half-day and $38 for a full day. Information: 813-988-4580 or oakhavenriverretreat.com.

Paradise Boat Tours: 200 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach

Paradise Boat Tours offers daily tours, including Sundays, of the Sarasota Bay and Anna Maria Sound 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on a 30-passenger wind protected Coast Guard inspected power Catamaran with covered seating and a forward observation area in the sun, offering guests amazing nature and wildlife sights on water. Sunset tours are available. Information: Capt. Sherman Baldwin at 941-465-8624 or seedolphins.com.

Ray's Canoe Hideaway: 1247 Hagle Park Road, Bradenton

Canoe or kayak the Upper Manatee River. Enjoy paddling, picnicking, swimming and the scenery. Rentals are $23-$35 per boat. Half- or full-day rentals are available. Hours: Open dawn to dusk six days a week. Closed Wednesdays. Information: 941-747-3909.

Regatta Pointe Marina Freedom Boat Club: 1005 Riverside Drive, Palmetto

The world's largest members-only boating club is a simple alternative to boat ownership. Boats of all shapes and sizes are fueled up and ready to go. Information: 888-781-7363.

Regatta Pointe Marina Tours, Cruises and Charters: 1005 Riverside Drive, Palmetto

Regatta Pointe Marina offers tours, fishing trips for all ages, river excursions and sightseeing tours, sunset cruises, lunch and dinner cruises and charters, and sailing adventures on the Windancer seven days a week. Information and schedules: 941-729-6021 or RegattaPointeMarina.com.

Schooner/kayak: Seafood Shack Marina, Cortez

Sail the Gulf aboard a sleek and stable catamaran or Tallship Schooner. Dolphin sails, sunset sails, Egmont Key, overnight adventures and more. Information and prices: 761-4779. Nature tours are given by sailboat or kayak to remote mangrove islands or take a day on Egmont Key. Reservations and prices: 941-713-8000.

This story was originally published March 30, 2016 at 1:45 PM with the headline "Outdoors: March 31-April 6 ."