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South Florida Day Trips

Kayaking in Florida’s Mangroves

With Florida nestled in-between the Gulf of Mexico to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, it’s practically impossible not to be near a basin of water: big or small, salty or fresh. The first thing that comes to mind is lounging on the beach. However, when it comes to water activities there are so many more possibilities available year-round.

The land is very porous and water canals lined with mangroves can be found all along the coastal waters creating a perfect network for kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding.

Kayaking through the mangroves

We find kayaking very relaxing.  Every time we go we are amazed that so close to the jungle of high-rises we can venture out for a few hours and feel like we are miles away from the city.

Mangroves
White Ibis

Kayaking through the mangroves is also a great way to spot  wildlife or for birding. If we’re lucky, we might even see a manatee. We love to watch these gentle giants frolicking in the water. All over Florida there are specific places to view these shy and endangered creatures. They often congregate near mangroves, coastal waters and canals.

Read our post: Stopping for Manatees on Our Way to St. Augustine, Florida

Iguana

Kayak rental

No worries if you don’t own a kayak, there are plenty of places where you can rent one, but prices vary from one place to another. We usually go to the Oleta River State Park because it’s close by and we like to paddle to the beach on the shores of Biscayne Bay.

Oleta River State Park Beach
Mangroves Along the Shores of Biscayne Bay

However, on our last visit to the Oleta River State Park we noticed that kayak rental prices had increased. We will try a different place next time. Some places have kayak rentals for $12/hour instead of $30/hour for a single and $40 for a tandem. See our review here

At the Oleta River State Park, the outdoor center also organizes a weekly Sunset Kayak Tour and a monthly Full Moon Kayak Tour. We haven’t been on one of these yet, but we are tempted to try the experience. If you go, remember to use bug repellant. 🙂

By Nathalie

Avid Traveler and Master Scuba Diver
Sharing stories, photos and insights about the places I’ve visited. Simply sharing my experience and giving travel tips to help others plan their own dream trip and travel independently.

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