The Best Places to Paddleboard in Siesta Key, FL

Paddle boarding is a great way to explore the Gulf of Mexico in Florida. With miles of beautiful coastline and crystal-clear waters in Siesta Key, paddleboarding is a popular activity in this area. So if you’re looking for an exciting new way to explore Florida’s Gulf Coast, paddleboarding is the perfect activity for you! Don’t have your own paddleboard? Renting paddle boards from Ride and Paddle in Siesta Key is easy. Let’s check out some of the best places to hit the water with your paddle board.

Siesta Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Siesta Key, and for a good reason. Siesta Beach beach is a paddleboarder’s paradise with its soft white sand and gorgeous turquoise waters. And because it’s located on the Gulf of Mexico, you’ll have miles of coastline to explore. Siesta Beach is an easy access point, and we can deliver your beach gear to this spot. You can easily spend a whole day of your vacation at Siesta Beach. It also offers a shaded playground, picnic area, concession stands, and tennis and volleyball courts.

Crescent Beach provides the private beach vibe without the exclusivity or inability to access it that you might find at other Florida beaches. This public beach is known for having some of the finest and whitest sand in the world. Paddle boarding at this is beach should be on the top of your to-do list as you plan your vacation.

Bonus: at the south end of Crescent beach, you can see rich ocean life, including marine life and beautiful coral formations. The southern tip of this beach is a great place for snorkeling!

Turtle Beach is another great paddle boarding spot in Siesta Key. With its serene setting and gentle waves, Turtle Beach is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Florida’s Gulf Coast beaches. You can see protected turtle nests during nesting season, making this a popular vacation destination. So, be prepared for many tourists. You can cruise the slow rolling waves and see various marine life, including dolphins, rays, and fish below you. Soak in the beautiful turquoise waters and forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life at Turtle Beach.

Paddle right along the shoreline at North Shell Road in Siesta Key. This hidden gem is a local favorite and can be difficult to access as parking is limited and there are often many visitors. It is worth the try to visit this fantastic location during your Florida vacation. North Shell Road is a secluded spot and easy to put your paddle board in with very few spectators. You can see various starfish and untouched seashells during your ride along the shoreline.

Enjoy this six-mile stretch of waterway. It’s easiest to enter Pinecraft park and head south. To avoid the most boating traffic, you can enter Phillipi Estate Park and head north. Phillipi Creek is the perfect spot for beginners due to minimal waves and currents and low boat traffic. This also makes it ideal for marine life such as otters and manatees to hang out. Take a backyard look at Sarasota on this beautiful stretch of ocean water and enjoy fishing or birdwatching on your paddle board. Phillippi Creek is great for the entire family.

Bird Key Park is often crowded, but for obvious reasons. It’s easy to access and picturesque scenery makes this a very popular location for tourists and locals alike. You can quickly put your paddle board in the water with a friend and begin your journey along the shoreline or Sarasota Bay. Take in the beautiful views of Sarasota’s cityscapes. But be warry of boat traffic in this area as many boaters travel under the bridges.

If you can stay until sunset, sit on your paddleboard, enjoy the show as the sun falls below the horizon, and get an unbelievable view of the colorful sky. There are many grass flats at Bird Key Park, making it the prime location to see marine life such as dolphins, manatees, and various fish.

If you have never visited the mangrove tunnels on South Lido, it is a must-see during your vacation and the perfect location for novice paddleboarders. In this maze of mangroves and water, you can see crabs and other marine life. There are many routes you can take, so each time is a new adventure. This is an excellent location to paddleboard or kayak.

Quickly access the water at any point at Whitney Beach. Be extra careful and mindful of boaters coming in and out of Jewfish Key. This is a great area to paddle out on your paddle board and either sit and enjoy the water or stay close and check out Beer Can Island. This island is a remote, overgrown island with a “Castaway” vibe with wild branches, driftwood, rope swings, and hanging hammocks. Many boaters post up for the day, so join the party and enjoy the fun island life on your paddle board.

Myakka River State Park, also known as the Florida Wild and Scenic River, is 58 square miles of river that contains wetlands, prairies, and pinelands. This area is one of Florida’s more primitive and most diverse natural sanctuaries. This area is great for family activities and paddle board rides. Myakka River is an intermediate paddler area because some areas have a stronger current and winds blowing in from the Gulf of Mexico. Also, be wary of alligators in this area.

Start planning your family vacation to Siesta Key, Sarasota, Venice, and Longboat Key today and rent a paddle board from us! Enjoy fun and sun in the beautiful areas of Siesta Key and along the Gulf of Mexico on your paddle board. Don’t settle for the inflatable paddle boards you can purchase at the store; rent a quality one from Ride and Paddle in Siesta Key.

We also provide other beach rentals, including kayaks, bicycles, scooters, beach gear, snorkels, and more. Contact us online today to book your rental or call us at (941) 346-1797.