Sandbar/Marine Life Tour

Question

Hi everyone!

Years ago the Mote marine and Sarasota Bay explorers had a boat trip out to a sandbar where guests could dig with special nets to catch fish and other marine life to be examined on board the boat and then returned to the water. They haven’t done this in years but it was so much fun and I was wondering if any other tour groups put on something similar? Would love any leads!

Thank you!

Answer

If you’re looking for an experience similar to the old Mote Marine and Sarasota Bay Explorers sandbar tours, there are a few options in the Sarasota area, though none are exact replicas. Many local eco-tour companies focus on hands-on marine life experiences, shallow-water exploration, and sandbar trips where guests can see and sometimes interact with marine life in a controlled and safe way.

Some suggestions to explore include:

Sarasota Bay Tours & Eco Adventures: They offer guided tours in Sarasota Bay that include visits to sandbars, seagrass beds, and shallow waters where you can observe fish, crabs, rays, and other marine creatures. Some tours allow for netting or examining small critters before releasing them back.
Siesta Key Watersports & Eco Tours: Known for kayak and paddleboard tours, but they sometimes offer guided “marine exploration” trips in shallow areas near sandbars, focusing on wildlife education and observation.
Eco Tours with Local Naturalists: There are independent guides in Sarasota who occasionally run small group tours that mimic the old sandbar concept. These may be advertised on local tourism boards or through eco-tourism platforms, and are often tailored for families with kids.

Additional tips:

Check seasonal availability, as some tours only operate during warmer months or low tide periods when sandbars are exposed.
Book in advance, especially for family-friendly, hands-on tours, as group sizes are often limited for safety and educational purposes.
Call the companies directly to ask if they allow guests to use small nets or touch the marine life. Policies vary due to wildlife protection regulations.

While there isn’t a perfect replacement for the original Mote program, these local eco-tour options provide an educational and interactive way to experience Sarasota’s marine life and sandbars safely and enjoyably.

Sandbar/Marine Life Tour

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