We will be in Sarasota next week partly for business and partly for vacation. Does anyone have any suggestions for interesting places to canoe in the vicinity. I know there are lots of good rivers; but, under the circumstances, we will have to rent the canoe.
I checked out the “Places2Paddle”, but it doesn’t always indicate whether canoe rentals are possible.
Here are a few suggestions
Hilssborough river is about one hour north of Sarasota - nice outfitter and several trips to choose from. The upper spring fed section is narrow and well shaded by canopy for a hot day; the lower sections teem with wildlife. If you ask, they even have a few high end canoes in their fleet.
Do a key word search for Florida state parks and check out Myakka River and Alafia. Both are relatively close and have canoe trails.
There is a very nice county park with a public ramp at the end of the road to Mote Marine lab (on the back bay side) near St Armands. I have never paddled there but have always thought it looked like a nice place to put in. Don’t know about rentals there.