About Siesta Key Watersports

Our Story

For more than 20 years, Siesta Key Watersports has been part of Sarasota’s waterfront story, helping locals and visitors experience the waterways that make this community so special. From its longtime home near the south Siesta Key bridge, recognizable for years by the yellow lighthouse, the company grew from a local watersports operation into one of the region’s most established providers of on-the-water experiences.

Owners Ben Marchand & Shawn Fontana

Much of that growth was built from the dock up. Ben Marchand joined Siesta Key Watersports in 2006 after working with Sarasota County Beach Patrol, starting as a first mate and learning vessel operations, local waterways, and safety firsthand. Shawn Fontana joined in 2007 as a jet ski attendant and worked through nearly every part of the operation, from the office and dock to the parasail crew. Over time, both became owners, carrying forward years of hands-on experience while training captains, mentoring crew, expanding operations, and helping shape the company’s safety-first culture.

As Sarasota grew, so did Siesta Key Watersports. The company expanded its fleet and experiences to include parasailing, dolphin and wildlife cruises, sunset trips, sandbar excursions, jet ski rentals, boat rentals, private charters, and large-group experiences. Tour boat operations became an important part of that evolution, with Captain Chad Lille bringing a deep knowledge of Sarasota’s wildlife, seagrass, manatee zones, and local waterways. Today, the company operates year-round, welcomes approximately 50,000 guests annually, and is supported by experienced captains, trained crew, and U.S. Coast Guard-inspected passenger vessels.

Siesta Key, FL parasailing, jet ski rentals and dolphin tours
Dolphins swimming near a tour boat during a sunset dolphin cruise in Siesta Key, Florida
The years have brought plenty of challenges. Siesta Key Watersports has navigated prolonged red tide events, the COVID pandemic, and major hurricanes including Irma, Ian, Idalia, Helene, and Milton. Through it all, the company continued adapting, investing, training, and showing up. During major storms, the team opened family property to other local maritime businesses for vessel and trailer storage and shared fuel from company vessels to help keep generators running during flooding. That same spirit has shaped the business for more than two decades: take care of the crew, respect the water, support the community, and do things the right way.
In May 2026, Siesta Key Watersports entered one of the biggest chapters in its history. After more than 20 years at its longtime Stickney Point waterfront location, Sarasota County’s acquisition of the property required the company to relocate. Moving a complex marine operation involving federally inspected passenger vessels, bridge clearances, commercial docking, parking, and multiple vessel types was anything but simple. The team adapted, kept going, and found a new home at 5253 S. Tamiami Trail on Phillippi Creek. With its laid-back, Old Florida feel, the waterfront property quickly became a place we loved and made our own. Along the way, we also expanded educational opportunities as an approved Direct Step Up For Students provider for eligible Florida students.
Parasailing boat High Flyer operating in Siesta Key waters with guests enjoying a day on the Gulf
More than two decades into its story, the company continues to grow with the same hands-on spirit that built it: experienced crews, families behind the scenes, the next generation learning around the dock, and a deep commitment to safety, responsible stewardship, and helping more people experience Sarasota from the water.

Voted Best of Sarasota

Siesta Key Watersports was named the 2026 Platinum Winner and First Place Overall for Best Local Watersports Company in SRQ Magazine’s Best of SRQ Local awards. In addition, we were named a Gold Winner for Best Local Tour Company. 

Memberships & Associations

Siesta Key Watersports is a proud member of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, Visit Sarasota County, VISIT FLORIDA, and the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA). These relationships help us stay connected to our local tourism community, support Sarasota’s visitor experience, and remain engaged with the broader watersports industry.