Day Trippin' — South Lido Key mangrove tunnels

Summer's here, and it's time to get out on the water and enjoy it!

In this day trip, I headed to Taft Park, at the south end of Lido Key, where you can rent or dock paddle boards and kayaks. Thanks to the area's numerous mangrove tunnels and wildlife, this is such a great place to set out and explore.

On an average morning paddle, you can see a wide variety of wildlife, including manatees, dolphins, mullets jumping out of the water and various birds, such as cormorants, osprey, pelicans and seagulls.

This is the perfect adventure for the family, or even just for you. As you navigate the narrow tunnels, be as observant as possible. There are so many things to take in. I usually spot crabs, starfish and tons of jellyfish in the tunnels.