FAQs
Planning ahead helps make your Sharkey’s Sarasota experience smooth, safe, and unforgettable. Here you’ll find answers to the most common questions about our tours, including what to expect, what to bring, parking information, weather policies, and more. Reviewing these FAQs before your tour helps ensure everyone in your group is prepared for an amazing night on the water.
You have questions, we have answers.
We launch from Ken Thompson Boat Ramp in Sarasota. When putting it into your GPS, we recommend typing it in as “Ken Thompson Boat Ramp”- the park is next door and they share the same address of 1700 Ken Thompson Parkway. If you put in just the address, it will take you the park parking lot. You want to park at the boat ramp parking lot, so put in “Ken Thompson Boat Ramp” into your GPS, and it will take you right to where we launch.
All of our kayaks tandem clear-bottom kayaks equipped with our custom underwater LED lighting system. The clear bottom allows you to view the water beneath you, while the LED lights illuminate the surrounding area.
Our kayaks have been upgraded from the clear kayaks to premium clear-bottom kayaks, which provide greater comfort, stability, and maneuverability. This allows for a more enjoyable paddling experience for guests of all skill levels.
We use tandem kayaks with a 385 lb maximum combined weight limit between both riders. This means two people in your party will ride together in one kayak, and their combined weight must be under 385 lbs. If your combined weight exceeds 385 lbs or you are over 6’5’’ tall, please notify us within the first few hours of booking so we can make arrangements for single kayaks.
Water shoes are recommended, but not required
Dress appropriately for the weather (no need for a bathing suit)
Small towel for drips from your paddle
Bug spray during Spring and Summer months
Camera / Phone
No two tours are ever the same, making every trip a unique experience. Sometimes we see dolphins, manatees, baby sharks, large fish, crab, conchs, and more!
No kayaking experience? No problem. Our tours are designed for beginners and experienced paddlers alike. Before launch, every guest receives a safety review and instructional guidance from our professional tour guides. We provide all equipment needed, including:
Kayaks
Paddles
Life jackets
Underwater LED lights
Fish food
Professional guide assistance
Each tour includes the use of custom glass-bottom kayaks, paddles, and life jackets, all equipped with powerful LED lights for optimal underwater viewing. Guests also receive fish food for marine life interaction and are guided by a professional tour guide who conducts a comprehensive safety review.
All of our kayaks are tandem. However, strangers are not paired together in the same kayak. If you have an odd-numbered party (for e.g. 5 guests), one person will ride in a single kayak.
Yes, there are public restrooms at the boat ramp from where we launch.
Absolutely! You can purchase these in a custom amount here (INSERT LINK)
Yes, the boat ramp has ample parking, and it’s free!
We closely monitor the weather, and will contact you with any updates regarding launch time or cancellations due to weather conditions. So please ensure your mobile phone number is entered correctly on your reservation. If we do need to cancel due to weather, you may rebook to a different date or receive a refund.
Tips are entirely up to you. Our guides certainly appreciate when guests enjoy their tour and tip, but they are never expected.
We understand that plans can change, so give us a call if you need to rebook to a different day or time. We always try to accommodate when possible. Cancellations with a full refund must be made by calling 941-399-0923 at least 24 hours before your scheduled tour time. No shows are not eligible for rebooking or refund.
Yes, we are open year round. You can expect different experiences and animal interactions depending on the time of year you are going.