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Paddling in South Florida...

Kayak, Canoe, 28 Top Destinations... Detailed Maps, Photos

South Florida boasts many eco-tourism destinations, providing natural alternatives to the busy coastal cities. On the Southwest coast, the Great Calusa Blueway and the Marco Island area offer several kayaking opportunities. Our South-Central region offers some amazing freshwater opportunities, including two of our favorites, Fisheating Creek and Lake Myakka State Park. The Southeast coast contains one Wild and Scenic River, plus some worthwhile paddling in parks and preserves of the Greater Miami area. The Everglades and Big Cypress offer a much more natural experience. Google maps, 100's of photos, details on launches. Kayak, canoe rentals, tours, and more.

Regional Paddling Map, South Florida
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South Florida Region... 28 Destination Reports

Fisheating Creek... A magical place for us, gliding through a cypress forest. Restricted access to upper drop off. Rentals, shuttles, should make reservation (view details...)

Loxahatchee River Overview... Paddling Florida's first designated Wild and Scenic River. Flows from south to north, freshwater to saltwater. Rentals available (view details...)

Loxahatchee River (South) at Riverbend Park... Paddling in the upper (south) section of Florida's first Wild and Scenic River. Rentals available (view details...)

Loxahatchee River (North) at Jonathan Dickinson State Park... Paddling the lower (north) section for both saltwater and freshwater experience. Rentals available (view details...)

Marco Island, Caxambas Pass... From city park launch, paddle to islands with sand beaches and shelling. Tours available (view details...)

Oleta River State Park... A peaceful paddling (and biking) oasis, in the middle of the busy Miami metropolitan area. (view details...)

Rookery Bay-Overview... 110,000 acre National Estuarine Reserve, 2 launch points just NW of Marco Island. Rentals available (view details...)

Rookery Bay-Isle of Capri... 110,000 acre National Estuarine Reserve, launch at Isle of Capri Paddlecraft Park at Marco Island. Rentals available (view details...)

Rookery Bay-Shell Point Paddling Trail... 110,000 acre National Estuarine Reserve, launch at Shell Point Road just NW of Marco Island. Rentals available (view details...)

Shell Creek... Paddling and fossil hunting near Punta Gorda. Tours available (view details...)

West Lake Park... 3 short mangrove-lined paddling trails. Rentals available (view details...)

South Florida... Paddling on the Great Calusa Blueway

Great Calusa Blueway Overview... A mapped series of paddling trails within San Carlos Bay, Estero Bay, and along the Caloosahatchee River. We report on nine destinations to date. Rentals and tours available (view details...)

Big Hickory Island, Great Calusa Blueway... On the Great Calusa Blueway at Bonita Springs. Bay and mangrove paddling, Gulf beaches. Rentals available (view details...)

Bunche Beach Preserve, Great Calusa Blueway... Access point to the Great Calusa Blueway in Ft. Myers. Rentals available (view details...)

Caloosahatchee River, Great Calusa Blueway... Restoration project underway. Many launches, access to excellent creeks. Tours available (view details...)

Estero River, Great Calusa Blueway... From blackwater river to hardwood hammock to mangrove swamps to open bay. Rentals available (view details...)

Imperial River, Great Calusa Blueway... A gem along the Blueway at Bonita Springs. Rentals available (view details)

Lovers Key State Park, Great Calusa Blueway... Easy paddling in the estuaries at Lovers Key on the tranquil mangrove-protected waterway. Rentals available (view details...)

Pine Island and Matlacha, Great Calusa Blueway... Water access to Pine Island Sound, Charlotte Harbor and the Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve. Rentals available (view details...)

Sanibel Island, Great Calusa Blueway... Popular mangrove-lined kayaking trail through Commodore Creek at Tarpon Bay on Sanibel. Rentals available (view details...)

Telegraph Creek, Great Calusa Blueway... Tranquil creek off the Caloosahatchee River. Rentals available (view details...)

South Florida... Greater Everglades, Big Cypress Area

Greater Everglades Area Overview... We explore Everglades National Park, plus other natural refuges (which, though separate, many also refer to as "The Everglades") that border the park. Rentals and tours available (view details...)

Collier-Seminole State Park... A 13.6 mile paddling trail. We enjoy paddling the upper section, including Mud Bay. When tide is up, many dolphins feeding. Rentals available (view details...)

East River... Easy out and back, popular with outfitters. Mangrove tunnels, many birds and alligators. Tours available (view details...)

Everglades City, Chokoloskee Bay... Gateway to the 10,000 Islands National Wildlife Refuge and the 100 mile Wildness Waterway. Rentals available (view details...)

Faka Union Canal and River... Popular for fishing and eco-tours, there are 2 adventures here: on the Faka Union Canal and on the Faka Union River. Tours available (view details...)

Flamingo, Everglades National Park... Launch from marina at the Flamingo Visitors Center. Paddle on Florida Bay if calm, or along the canals if windy. Rentals available (view details...)

Halfway Creek... Once a popular 9 mile trail (kept open by outfitters) from Hwy 41 to Everglades City. Now mostly paddled out and back. Tours available (view details...)

Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge... Paddling through a "river of grass" in the last surviving portion of the Northern Everglades. Rentals available (view details...)

Nine Mile Pond, Everglades National Park... Easy out and back, popular with outfitters. Mangrove tunnels, many birds and alligators. Rentals available (view details...)

Turner River... Popular 9 mile paddling trail from Hwy 41 to Chokoloskee and Everglades City. Long mangrove tunnels. Tours available (view details...)

West Lake, Everglades National Park... Large, open water lake with marked paddling trail. Rentals available (view details...)