SEA KAYAKING IN FLORIDA
Everyone seems to forget that Florida is our tropical destination right here in the US. I paddled from Cape Sable to Marathon Key on the Gulf side, and it's an incredible trip. You pass mangrove forests, manatees, and lovely blue water. Camping is possible on many of the keys, but bring your mosquito repellent especialy outside of December-February.
Florida is the state of sunshine, fun, and lots of water sports to include sea kayaking. In fact, your choices of sea kayaking are tremendous, as you are about to discover. We have pulled together the top nine options, giving you a brief summary of each destination of why you might add it to your list of possibilities when planning your next trip.
1. Rice Island and Cape Romano – These barrier islands are located just to the south of Marco Island. The sea kayaking opportunities include one trip around Rice Island and a second kayaking trip that ventures out beyond the island to Cape Romano. Regardless, both trips start and end at Caxambas Pass Marina, taking you along magnificent white shores where you will enjoy peace and beautiful scenery.
2. Geiger Key – If you are looking for a quiet sea kayaking trip for the family, the one around Geiger Key is perfect. The waters are shallow and the area offers excellent shelter. Along the trip, you will have the chance to see a number of native fish, as well as magnificent birds known to this area of the Florida Keys.
3. Cape Sable – For a sea kayaking trip that requires a little bit of physical work stretched out over three or four days, this is the ideal choice. You can enjoy a two-day trip taking you from Flamingo to the Gulf coastline, which is then followed with a relaxing two-day cruise around Whitewater Bay. The other option is a three-day trip, which is a more rigorous sea kayaking trip, tracing a route across the bay from island to island, as well as in more exposed waters
4. Jupiter Intercoastal Waterway – For the sea kayaker that loves a relaxing and interesting trip, this is an excellent venture. You will travel through Old Florida, taking you through secluded mangrove channels, east coast dredge and fill canal developments, and small, sandy beaches.
5. El Radabob Key – Located on the Atlantic side of Key Largo, this sea kayaking trip will take you 12 miles through sheltered waters that feature some of the most beautiful mangrove channels in all of Florida. In addition, this area offers outstanding opportunity for those who love to kayak and bird watch.
6. Everglades City Circuit – For this sea kayaking journey, you will have the chance to traverse tough mangrove keys, reaching the outer coast of sand spits and Shelly shorelines. From there, you can kayak deep into the Everglades, reaching the brackish water where you will finally float out into clear freshwater of saw grass.
7. Nest Keys – This sea kayaking trip will take you through a sheltered route from Key Largo through Tarpon Basin and then to Little Buttonwood Sound, on to Porjoe Key. In addition to being a peaceful place to kayak, this is also known for being one of the best places to see the Roseate Spoonbill, as well as other native Florida birds.
8. Hells Bay – For this trip, you can sea kayak through the Everglades National Park, exploring mangrove forests, streams, and ponds. Although many of the waterways appear difficult, you will be surprised at how easy most are to navigate, making them a great choice for family time.
9. Myakka River – With this sea kayaking trip, you will wind your way through the Myakka River State Park, passing through two beautiful lakes. In fact, one of the most intriguing aspects of this particular adventure is the opportunity to see alligator, oak and palm hammocks, and
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