Bike Rentals within Refuge Resume

Tarpon Bay Explorers is pleased to announce that the concession has returned bike rentals to their list of activities to explore the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

Tarpon Bay Explorers lost their entire bike fleet after Hurricane Ian and have been anxiously awaiting the right time to add bike rentals back to the list of options available to visitors. “We actually didn’t physically lose any of our bikes as a result of Ian, surprisingly,” mentioned Adam Sauerland, General Manager of Tarpon Bay Explorers. “But after saltwater exposure and days and weeks of sitting, the bikes’ gears and brakes seized up from all of the corrosion,” said Sauerland. “One silver lining for the bikes that were drowned by Ian is that they were briefly used by a lot of folks, including locals and emergency services, coming to the island to help out. “Our bikes were found all over the island,” chuckled Sauerland.

Tarpon Bay Explorers is the concession to the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. One component of the company’s mission is to provide rentals for the Refuge. The Explorer crew has been waiting for the right time and demand on the island to relaunch their bike fleet. “We’ve received a lot of phone calls asking for rentals, said Sauerland. “The island and its recovery are getting stronger and stronger everyday so we are really hoping for a strong end to 2024 and hope to carry that momentum into 2025,” explained Sauerland.

The concession is the closest bike rental company to the Refuge. The concession’s bikes are the good ol’ fashioned single-speed beach cruisers for adults and children. For smaller children their fleet contains ‘weehoo’s’, which are modified ‘Trail-A-Bikes’, bike trailers and baby seats. All bike rentals are offered on a first come, first serve basis. As of now, Tarpon Bay Explorers is open four days a week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday. Rentals begin at 8am, stop at 3pm and must return by 4:30pm. For any further inquiries on bike rentals or general questions feel free to visit the Explorers’ website at www.tarponbayexplorers.com or call their gift shop at 239-472-8900.