Kayak tours at Turtle Beach

Question

A few years ago we did this tour and while very venue saw zero manatees—I think because of beach reconstruction. There were noisy dump trucks constantly bringing in sand which I think frightened off the manatees. Is this still going on?

Answer

Great question. There’s no definitive evidence that beach-restoration work at Turtle Beach is currently scaring away manatees in a way that makes tours permanently unproductive — but there are some important nuances and mixed reports to consider.

What the Restoration Work Was and Is Now:

After major storm damage, Turtle Beach on South Siesta Key was repaired using about 92,500 cubic yards of sand.
By early 2025, beach-repair crews had removed many of the large sand piles that were previously along Midnight Pass Road and shorelines.
The county reports that much of the sand has been returned, leveled, and made accessible again.

What Tour Guides and Operators Say About Current Manatee Sightings:

SURFit USA’s Siesta Key kayak tour page states that their Turtle Beach–area tours “regularly see gentle manatees and dolphins,” and guides say curious manatees often come close to the kayaks.
Gertrude Rentals similarly notes that manatees can be spotted in the calm canals and near the Turtle Beach boat ramp.
TripAdvisor reviews for a 2025 kayak tour confirm that some tour groups *did* see 5–7 manatees surfacing and interacting with kayaks.

What’s Still a Concern or Limitation:

One tour operator, Adventure Kayak Outfitters, has *stopped* their mangrove / eco tours citing “crowding” of the kayak trail and a decline in manatee sightings over time.
Some recent TripAdvisor / Yelp reviews mention not seeing manatees, with guides even saying “they haven’t seen manatees for months.”
The beach-repair project had previously involved many dump trucks and heavy equipment. While major pile-removal has happened, restoration work has been ongoing, which could intermittently affect wildlife behavior.
According to environmental assessments, while sand placement was significant, guidelines for in-water work included “Standard Manatee Conditions” to minimize harm.

Bottom Line (So What Does This Mean for Kayaking Tours?):

Manatee sightings *do still happen* on kayak tours in and around Turtle Beach / Jim Neville Marine Preserve — several tour companies claim regular sightings, and some recent guests confirm them.
However, the restoration work in the past — including heavy sand deposition — may have temporarily impacted manatee presence, especially when the work was most intense. Some tours/operators also suggest reduced sightings in recent years.
If seeing manatees is a top priority, it’s a good idea to book a tour with an experienced, smaller-group guide, and manage expectations: wildlife is wild, and sightings are never 100% guaranteed.