Little Sarasota Bay is a slender, 1,828-acre saltwater bay in Sarasota County, central to the communities of Sarasota, Osprey, Siesta Key, and Casey Key. The primary public launch for paddlers is the Turtle Beach Public Boat Ramp at the southern end of Siesta Key, providing direct access to the bay's calm backwaters. From this launch, paddlers can quickly reach the Jim Neville Marine Preserve, a 35-acre uninhabited island featuring mangrove shorelines teeming with marine life and birds like pelicans, egrets, and herons. A marked paddling trail through the preserve forms an approximately one-mile loop. The historic Midnight Pass, located at the southern tip of Siesta Key, naturally reopened in late 2024. Paddlers should be aware of strong tides and currents consistently through this reopened pass, which connects the bay to the Gulf of Mexico. The bay's eastern shoreline features extensive, shallow grass flats, and the waters are protected by its designation as an Outstanding Florida Water. Wildlife encounters with dolphins and manatees are common. The overall paddling experience is characterized by sheltered waters ideal for kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards, with a focus on wildlife observation in a mangrove and seagrass ecosystem. Other access points include CB's Saltwater Outfitters in Osprey, near Blackburn Point, which offers rentals and guided tours. Due to the tidal influence, paddling conditions are best during moving tides, and paddlers should plan routes considering the strong currents at Midnight Pass.