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The Best Kayaking and Paddleboarding in the Florida Keys: Tours, Spots, and More!

The crystal clear water brimming with marine life, mangrove tunnels that transport you to another world, and easy access to the water make the Florida Keys one of the best spots for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding! Maybe youโ€™re interested in exploring the water without getting wet and salty, which makes exploring by kayak and stand-up paddleboard a great option.

After traveling around the Florida Keys on our boat and visiting several different spots, weโ€™ve compiled the best times to kayak the Florida Keys, some of the best locations to explore the keys by paddle, including guided tours and kayak rentals, in case you donโ€™t have your own kayak or stand-up paddleboard, and more!

Note: We use affiliate links which provide us a little kickback each time you use one of our links and make a purchase, without any additional cost to you. We do not recommend products that we donโ€™t already love or have heard great things about, so you can trust weโ€™re only suggesting great products to you.

Drone shot of people kayaking in Florida Keys mangroves
Kayakers exploring mangroves in the Florida Keys.

We discussed the best spots for Florida Keys kayaking and standup paddle boarding. In some locations, we rented kayaks, and in other locations, we used our own standup paddle boards. In this post, weโ€™ll share information about both kayaking and standup paddleboarding, as they can be interchangeable.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Weather Considerations
  • How much does kayaking in the Florida Keys Cost
  • Best time of year for Kayaking in the Florida Keys
  • What you might see Kayaking in the Florida Keys
  • Kayaking and SUP Gear
    • Kayak
    • Stand-up Paddleboard (SUP)
    • Sun protection
    • Reusable Water Bottle
  • Best Spots for Kayaking in the Florida Keys
    • Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
    • Key Largo – John Pennekamp State Park
    • Islamorada
    • Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park
    • Curry Hammock State Park
    • Marathon
    • Bahia Honda State Park
    • Key West
  • Final Thoughts
  • Save for Later

Weather Considerations

Many locations in the Florida Keys listed are exposed to Florida Bay or the Atlantic Ocean, making them susceptible to harsh weather conditions. Itโ€™s important to check the weather conditions before starting your adventure. Safety first.

How much does kayaking in the Florida Keys Cost

An important consideration when planning your kayaking or stand-up paddle board exploration in the Florida Keys is: how much is it going to cost?

Overall, there are a few different factors that affect the cost of kayaking in the Florida Keys. If you have your kayak or stand-up paddleboard (SUP for short), if youโ€™re renting a kayak, and if youโ€™re going on a guided tour. If you plan on bringing your own kayak or SUP, itโ€™s relatively inexpensive. You might have to pay entrance fees to Florida State Parks or kayak launch fees. If youโ€™re renting a kayak, prices range from about $35-100 per person, and guided kayak tours range from about $75-$115 per person.

Best time of year for Kayaking in the Florida Keys

The best part of kayaking the Florida Keys is that there is no bad time to go kayaking in the Florida Keys! There are pros and cons of each season. The winter months are the high season in the Florida Keys, meaning itโ€™s packed with people. The winter brings with it winter storms that can last for a few days at a time. Spring is my favorite time to kayak in the Florida Keys because the water is super comfortable, itโ€™s not packed with people, and itโ€™s not hot and humid like it is during the summer months. The summer has the longest days, giving you the most time to enjoy being out on the water. It can also be hot and humid, with little wind, making for good visibility but not super comfortable. June through November is hurricane season, bringing with it the likelihood of high winds and choppy conditions.

What you might see Kayaking in the Florida Keys

Kayaking in the Florida Keys opens you up to a whole new world! The Keys are barrier islands to the mainland of Florida, making mangroves a primary ecosystem around them. Many spots in the Florida Keys are shallow, making kayaks the best way to explore the marine life that lives here. Exploring these areas by kayak or SUP opens you up to seeing iguanas, fish, birds, crabs, jellyfish, and much more!

Florida Keys Kayaking - Jen looking at the mangroves on a kayaking tour in Key West; Florida Keys Kayaking
Jen is looking at the mangroves on a kayaking tour in Key West.

Kayaking and SUP Gear

If you donโ€™t have your own kayak or stand-up paddleboard, no worries! Multiple companies offer kayak or SUP rentals and tours with local, knowledgeable tour guides. Regardless of whether you have your own kayak or SUP, make sure to bring the appropriate sun protection and water with you!

Kayak

Bringing your own Kayak (optional if renting a kayak or going on a guided tour) can be a cheap way to explore the Florida Keys. We’ve seen both inflatable and fiberglass kayaks, so it’s dependent on you!

Stand-up Paddleboard (SUP)

A Stand-up Paddleboard (optional if renting a kayak or going on a guided tour) is an excellent alternative to a kayak. We had ROC SUPs and loved them! They are inflatable, making them easy to transport and carry.

Sun protection

Sun protection is essential when kayaking in the Florida Keys as the sun shines down from above and reflects off the water, making you extra susceptible to sun exposure when you are not adequately prepared. We like wearing a UV shirt (men’s) or a UV shirt (women’s), polarized sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and applying Reef Safe Sunscreen.

Reusable Water Bottle

Itโ€™s important to stay hydrated on the water! Depending on how long you plan to be out on the water, you can also bring a small cooler to store several bottles of water with electrolytes in.

Elliot laying down on a SUP; Florida Keys Kayaking
Elliot is lying down on his SUP.

Best Spots for Kayaking in the Florida Keys

We spent five months living on our boat and exploring the Florida Keys. During that time, we kayaked and used our stand-up paddleboard to explore anchorages and state parks. Weโ€™ve compiled a list of our favorite spots and what you can see at each spot! Before owning a boat, we also traveled to the Florida Keys and took tours to get out on the water and explore the local environments. There are multiple ways to get to these spots!

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is located in Key Biscayne and is a great spot to explore by kayak or stand-up paddleboard. We enjoyed exploring No Name Harbor on SUPs and seeing iguanas and birds in the mangroves. The harbor is a no-wake zone, so although there is boat traffic, you shouldnโ€™t be waked by boaters. Unless youโ€™re visiting by boat, getting a kayak launched into No Name Harbor can be difficult if itโ€™s low tide, as the launch area is right off the sea wall.

You can also take a kayak out to explore from the ocean side. A launch location is available at Beach Access No. 1, with reserved parking spaces next to the walkway. A boat dolly is recommended since the walk to the beach is not close by.

Jen and Gwen on their SUPs in No Name Harbor in Bill Baggs State Park; Florida Keys Kayaking
Jen and Gwen on their SUPs in No Name Harbor, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Key Largo – John Pennekamp State Park

John Pennekamp State Park is one of our favorite spots to explore by kayak or SUP because of its great paddling trails! Although the state park is known for snorkeling, it has 2.5 miles of paddling trails. The state park office has kayaks and canoes for rental, along with park maps of the trails. Prices range from $35-$60 depending upon the length of time and type of kayak.

Elliot on a SUP going under a bridge in John Pennekamp State Park, Florida.
Elliot on his SUP in John Pennekamp State Park.
Picture of the State Park map at John Pennekamp State Park, Florida.
John Pennekamp State Park map.
Arial shot of John Pennekamp State Park looking at the mangroves; Florida Keys Kayaking
Arial view of John Pennekamp State Park.

If you’re interested in taking a guided tour with local, knowledgeable guides, we recommend the Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Adventure in Key Largo or the Mangroves and Manatees Guided Kayak Eco Tour, as they’re both highly rated and affordable.

Islamorada

One of our favorite anchorages in the Florida Keys was Islamorada because of its beautiful mangroves! We often paddled Little Basin and saw nurse sharks, manatees, sting rays, and many fish. You can launch your kayak from Library Beach Park or at Green Turtle Hammock Nature Preserve. Library Beach Park has a parking lot, bathrooms, a pavilion, and outdoor showers to rinse off. The kayak launch is at the sandy area through the park. Green Turtle Hammock Nature Preserve has a dinghy dock, making launching a kayak easy. The mangrove tunnel will lead you out to Little Basin to explore further. The best part of these options is that they are all free! I Can See Clear Kayaking has clear-bottomed kayaks near Loreleiโ€™s Restaurant and Bar if you want to rent kayaks in this area.

Jen and Molly on SUPs near Islamorada; Florida Keys Kayaking
Jen and Molly are on their SUPs near Islamorada.
The mangrove channel at Green Turtle Hammock Nature Preserve that leads out to Little Basin; Florida Keys Kayaking
The mangrove channel at Green Turtle Hammock Nature Preserve.

After working up an appetite from kayaking, explore some of the Best Local Restaurants in Islamorada.

Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park

This Florida State Park is only accessible by boat, making paddling a fun option to explore the island. Just south of the main dock on Lignumvitae Key, there is a kayak landing/floating dock. Be sure to have the park map downloaded ahead of time for easy access. You can launch your own kayak at Robbie’s Marina or rent kayaks from The Kayak Shack at Robbieโ€™s Marina or Backcountry Cowboys.

Jen and Alicia on their SUPs outside of Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park; Florida Keys Kayaking
Jen and Alicia on their SUPs outside of Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park.
Elliot Snorkeling in the Florida Keys

Interested in getting into the water instead? Check out our blog post on Snorkeling in the Florida Keys!

Curry Hammock State Park

This small state park has two great paddling trails! The first is a 1.2-mile loop through the mangroves, and the second is a 1.3-mile loop around Deer Key. You can also paddle to the oceanside with a nearby sandbar. Kayaks can be launched from the day-use area and the campground. You can get paddle trail maps from the ranger station. There are also ranger-led kayaking tours every Friday at 10 am that educate attendees on why the mangroves are such a vital part of the Florida Keys ecosystem. Unfortunately, there are no kayaks or SUPs to rent at this location.

Jen and Elliot on their SUP in Curry Hammock State Park; Florida Keys Kayaking
Jen and Elliot on their SUP in Curry Hammock State Park

Marathon

Marathon has several options for kayaking! We enjoyed exploring Sisters Creek and Boot Key to see marine life in the shallow mangrove-lined channels. Other paddling trails include a Marathon Circumnavigation or Marathon Bayside Paddle. You can launch your kayak at the end of Sombrero Beach Road, near Sombrero Beach, where youโ€™ll find parking.

Jen and Molly explore Sisters Creek on Marathon; Florida Keys Kayaking
Jen and Molly explore Sisters Creek on their SUPs.

Bahia Honda State Park

One of our favorite Florida state parks in the Keys, Bahia Honda State Park, has some great kayaking. You can paddle around the entire island and enjoy shallow water pockets, making it easy to spot marine life. Bahia Honda also has some great snorkeling, so bring your snorkeling equipment if you want to get off your kayak and explore the water. Kayaks can be launched from the Loggerhead parking lot on the ocean side or the boat ramp on the Gulf side. Alternatively, you can rent kayaks from the Bahia Honda Concessions.

Kayak rentals are available at Bahia Honda Concessions; Florida Keys Kayaking
Kayak rentals are available at the Bahia Honda Concessions.
Kayakers going around Bahia Honda State Park; Florida Keys Kayaking
Kayakers are going around the island.

Key West

There are many tiny spots here and there around Key West for kayaking! We rented kayaks with Lazy Dog Adventure and enjoyed our experience, but they also have guided tours for those interested in getting knowledgeable information as they kayak through mangroves. We enjoyed taking the paddle trail map and exploring the mangroves at our own pace, getting lost in the mangroves, and catching up with friends while paddling.

Jacob kayaking through mangrove tunnels; Florida Keys Kayaking
Jacob kayaking through the mangrove tunnels.
Paddling trail map; Florida Keys Kayaking
Paddle Trail Map.
Kayaking through mangroves; Florida Keys Kayaking
Kayaking through mangroves.
Jen, Elliot, and Jacob kayaking in Key West; Florida Keys Kayaking
Jen, Elliot, and Jacob kayaking in Key West.
Kayaks piled in Key West; Florida Keys Kayaking
Kayaks piled in Key West.

Final Thoughts

I hope you feel prepared and ready to go kayaking in the Florida Keys. Whether you choose to bring your own kayak or rent a kayak, I hope you enjoy everything the Florida Keys have to offer by kayak!

Save for Later

Save this to Pinterest to read again later!

Kayaking in the Florida Keys | Paddleboarding in the Keys | Things to do in the Keys | Places to visit in Florida | Best places to kayak | Boat Life | America's Great Loop
Kayaking in the Florida Keys | Paddleboarding in the Keys | Things to do in the Keys | Places to visit in Florida | Best places to kayak | Boat Life | America's Great Loop
Kayaking in the Florida Keys | Paddleboarding in the Keys | Things to do in the Keys | Places to visit in Florida | Best places to kayak | Boat Life | America's Great Loop

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Posted

June 3, 2024

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Destinations, Florida, Great Loop Destinations, United States

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Jennifer Johnson

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About Us

We’re Jen and Elliot, aka Scho & Jo, a couple of high school sweethearts who fell in love with travel and decided to live life now. From international travel to boating around America’s Great Loop to converting a Sprinter Van into a campervan and now traveling to all 50 States and US National Parks, we’re here to help you plan for your dream trip! We share detailed guides and expense reports to help turn your dream trip into a reality! Read more about us here.

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Sometimes itโ€™s not the bucket list but random mo Sometimes itโ€™s not the bucket list but random moments that youโ€™ll remember forever ๐Ÿถ

After filming our YouTube series on Carlsbad Caverns NP and White Sands NP we had to spend one day in the park and just catch up on work. 

It was a little warm, but randomly running up the sand hills throughout the day was so worth it. 

Itโ€™s l moments like these that were so grateful to live and work out of our van. 

Follow @schoandjo for more slices of life as we explore North America. 

#travelcouple 
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And 2 seconds later, Summit was dirty again ๐Ÿ˜… And 2 seconds later, Summit was dirty again ๐Ÿ˜…

As two East Coasters, deserts are so strange and wonderful. Both barren and full of life. 

We stayed on our first BLM outside of Carlsbad, NM, and we were greeted with something entirely new for usโ€ฆ a dust storm! 

We hadnโ€™t washed Summit since being on the road, but that was the trigger for a deep clean. Coming from boat life, weโ€™d just wash Pivot at various marinas. 

Now we go to car washes! I have to admit, that I was not really looking forward to the chore of washing Summit, but the feeling of a clean home was super worth it. With some good tunes, it was actually pretty fun! 

Follow @schoandjo for more, as we learn more about life on the road on our exploration around North America! 

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We were racing against the clock โฐ When we firs We were racing against the clock โฐ

When we first stepped into White Sands National Park, we knew we had to get sunset photos, but while almost everywhere in the park is perfect for it, there is a cut-off time. 

You must be out of the park no later than 30 minutes after sunset. 

BUT, since the sun goes over the Mountains earlier than sunset, you have more gorgeous golden light.

Follow @schoandjo as we visit all 63 National Parks. This is park 7/63.

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Donโ€™t Miss this Ranger-Led Tour โ€ผ๏ธ When we Donโ€™t Miss this Ranger-Led Tour โ€ผ๏ธ

When we went to Carlsbad Caverns this April, we were shocked to learn they restarted ONE tour. 

If you didnโ€™t know, Carlsbad Caverns lost roughly half its front-facing staff with the NPS cuts. Due to this, they were forced to cancel all their ranger-led tours and just focus on keeping the park running. 

The park service desperately wanted to open a tour to help educate small groups about the parkโ€™s history, challenges, and wonders, hoping those people would then share why our parks are so important to keep open. Theyโ€™ve found a way to stabilize and open one tour.

The Kingโ€™s Palace tour visits scenic rooms closed to the public, so youโ€™ll visit places very few people can see.

With this being said, every day is different, and as of now, they donโ€™t know in advance if they will be offering the tour, so youโ€™ll have to show up early regardless.

The visitors center opens at 9:00 am, so we sat outside since 8:00 am, ensuring we could get a spot. 

The other people who had heard of the tour started arriving at 8:15, and by 8:30, there was a decent line outside. If you want tickets, arrive by 8:30 am at the latest! 

You donโ€™t need a timed entry as the tour will count for your entry. The tour is $10 USD per person, on top of standard park entry fees. 

The Kingโ€™s Palace tour starts at 10:30 am, so youโ€™ll need to take the elevator down, and then youโ€™ll have a few minutes to wander before the tour. 

The tour lasts about 1:30 to 2 hours, so come fed and with plenty of time to learn about the Caverns! 

Let us know in the comments if you have any questions or have seen anything different in recent days. Huge kudos to the NPS for navigating these challenging times. 

Follow @schoandjo as we visit all 63 US National Parks, this is park number 7!

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