The city of Bradenton, situated along Florida's West Coast, has plenty of bodies of water that make for good kayaking. Nearby beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, the Manatee River and natural preserves within and just outside of Bradenton make this city a great spot for kayakers. Not to mention, the weather is perfect year round for meandering along Bradenton's waterways.
Little Manatee River State Park
The Little Manatee River, a 40-mile river, runs throughout Bradenton, and the state park offers a scenic wetlands for kayaking. The Little Manatee River has received high accolades from the state, being designated as an Outstanding Florida Waterway. The state park has kayak renting on site or kayakers may bring their own. In Bradenton, the state park may be accessed from Exit 229 off Interstate 75.
Robinson Preserve
The Robinson Preserve is a 487-acre park located in the northern portion of Bradenton. The kayaking trail is about five miles round trip and runs through some of Florida's most natural landscape among which 100 species of birds and 75 species of fish live. While kayaking, visitors may bank their boats at a 53-foot tall tower that overlooks the preserve. Robinson Preserve is located at 1704 99th St. N.W. in Bradenton.
Anna Maria
Located just outside Bradenton, Anna Maria features beautiful and quite beaches that are ideal for kayaking. Anna Maria is located on the northern end of Anna Maria Island along the Gulf of Mexico. Kayakers can launch near the Anna Maria Island City Pier located at the end of historic Pine Avenue. Also, kayak rentals are available along Pine Avenue from Beach Bums, which also offers guided kayaking tours.
Palma Sola Bay
The Palma Sola Bay in Bradenton has 11 miles of kayaking trails round trip. This bay, which feeds into the Robinson Preserve, wanders through mangroves and has narrow channels and lagoons for a quite, natural setting. Kayakers here are also likely to spot manatees along the way.
Bradenton Beach
Bradenton Beach is a popular site along the Gulf of Mexico for kayaking. The beach is located just on the outskirts of Bradenton's city limits and is situated on Anna Maria Island, a seven-mile strip of Gulf side beaches. Many mobile kayaking rental companies are located along the beach and several hoteliers in Bradenton Beach have kayak rentals on site.
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