Florida

Looking for the best kayaking in Florida? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Florida. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

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Top Kayaking Spots in and near Florida

  • Apopka, Florida

    Kayak Extreme Emerald Cut

    3.0
    Start at King's Landing. Here you can either drop your own kayaks in or choose to rent. Kayak/Canoe rentals are $30 for the day. Using your own kayak is $20, if you choose to have them pick you up at Wekiva Springs and shuttle you back. During summer months, get there early (before 11), as they t...
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  • Sarasota, Florida

    Kayak the South Lido Mangrove Tunnels

    4.8
    Before entering South Lido County Park, take a left turn on Taft Drive for the kayak launch area. Parking is available at the end of the road. Multiple companies offer kayak and stand up paddle (SUP) rentals and tours at the launch site, but feel free to bring your own. Launch your kayak or SUP b...
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  • Vernon, Florida

    Paddle to Cypress Spring

    3.8
    1 mi
    Starting at Cotton Landing, you paddle about a quarter of a mile downstream until you encounter the spring run to the right/north. Another tenth of a mile or so up the run will take you to one of the most beautiful spring-fed swimming holes you will ever find. Fed by a 2nd magnitude spring, this ...
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  • Crystal River, Florida

    Kayak & Swim with Manatees at Three Sisters Spring

    4.8
    When the ocean becomes too cold for the manatees, they take refuge in the 70 degree water at Three Sisters Spring. So, the best time to see the manatees in the spring is just after a cold front has come through. We also learned that they will swim back out to the ocean before low tide to avoid be...
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  • Key West, Florida

    Dry Tortugas National Park

    4.5
    Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most remote National Parks you can visit. Located 70 miles off the coast of Key West, FL it is accessible via commercial ferry, seaplane, or private boat. Our family of 5 camped for two nights in the campground on Garden Key. We snorkeled, swam, explored ...
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  • Orange City, Florida

    Swim with Manatees in Blue Spring State Park

    4.3
    Located near Orange City, Florida, Blue Spring State Park is the largest spring on St. Johns River.  Here you can come in and rent full snorkel gear (snorkel, mask, flippers), tubes to lazy river down if that's more your style and many other activities.  At the website you can see all that the pa...
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  • Naples, Florida

    Catch a Sunset at the Naples Pier

    5.0
    If you're like me then you probably spend a fair amount of time chasing the setting sun around. I visited Naples Florida this past spring and was treated to these stunning sunsets 8 out of the 10 days there. The Gulf gives us east coasters the delight of watching the sun dip out over a large body...
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  • New Smyrna Beach, Florida

    Camp at Cape Canaveral National Seashore

    2.0
    0.5 mi
    What could be better than laying on soft sand, listening to the crashing waves, and gazing at Florida's best sun and stars?  Cape Canaveral National Seashore has 14 primitive campsites, with only two of them on the beach and the other twelve located on Mosquito Lagoon.  This park has a 40-mile st...
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  • Homestead, Florida

    Kayak Camp on the East Cape, FL

    Camp along a 3 mile stretch of untouched old Florida. Not only is this the real southernmost point in the continental US (the Keys are islands), but you will most likely have it to yourself. Spot dolphins, bald eagles, ospreys, and a ton of other birds on this awesome over nighter that is great f...
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  • Altoona, Florida

    Camp at Alexander Springs

    1 mi / 0 ft gain
    Alexander Springs Recreation Area is an incredible natural area that provides something for any adventure seeker to love.  The main attraction here is the beautiful headspring, which is one of the 27 first magnitude springs here in Florida.  This spring in particular maintains a cool 72 degrees f...
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  • Crystal River, Florida

    Kayak to Shell Island, Florida

    5.0
    Take Fort Island Park Rd (Hwy 44) all the way until it dead-ends, it will end at Fort Island Park. The park also has a sandy entrance for paddle or small crafts to the left of the main boat ramp. This area is very popular for fishing, swimming, kayaking, and boating.Leaving from the boat ramp or ...
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  • Naples, Florida

    Camp on Fakahatchee Island

    From Tamiami Trail, 5.2 miles west of Highway 29, turn left on the unmarked road. You will be able to leave you car here and launch. Follow the posted map closely as the mangrove tunnels are confusing, and you will probably get lost a few times anyways.There is a series of 5 mangrove tunnels, wit...
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  • Weeki Wachee, Florida

    Paddle the Weeki Wachee River

    4.1
    The Weeki Wachee River begins its 7.4-mile journey at the world famous Weeki Wachee spring. Named by the Seminole Indians who inhabited the land around the body of water in the early 1800s, Weeki Wachee means “winding river” or “little spring.” One of Florida’s 33 first magnitude springs, the und...
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  • Port Saint Joe, Florida

    Hike the Wilderness Preserve Trail

    5.0
    14 mi
    Parking is open and free for all designated spots within the state park.At the end of the parking area, there is a gate with a large brown sign. This sign reads "St. Joseph Peninsula State Park / Wilderness Preserve Access." This is where the trail begins.The trail is easy to follow with yellow m...
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  • Thonotosassa, Florida

    Paddle the Hillsborough River Wilderness Preserve

    5.0
    Start at John B Sargeant State Park--they do have a $2 parking fee. There is a canoe rental and shuttle service on site called Canoe Escape. They do have kayaks as well. If you own your own canoe you can pay for the shuttle service to pick you up at the end if you choose not to paddle out and bac...
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  • Coral Gables, Florida

    Take a Sunrise Stroll around Matheson Hammock

    5.0
    Matheson Hammock is a beautiful park in the heart of one of the oldest sections of Miami, just off of Old Culter Road.  This is far off the tourist map which is mostly confined to South Beach. However, it is just 20 minutes from the beach and 10 minutes from Downtown.  The park is enjoyed by many...
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Escape to the Sunshine

VISIT FLORIDA, serves as Florida's official source for travel planning. What can be discovered beyond Florida’s 825 miles of beaches? How about 320 freshwater springs, 175 state parks, infinite mangrove tunnels and hidden caverns. Let your adventure begin. Follow Your Sunshine.

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