Kayaking is a Fantastic Way to Experience Florida!
Florida is simply bursting with amazing kayaking experiences for your family to enjoy. With fascinating habitats to explore, incredible local animals to discover and with water never very far away, the possibilities can seem endless. This is where I would like to help you out and let you in on some of Florida’s best kayaking hidden gems.
Each kayak experience, listed below, is easy enough for families, yet so amazing that I think everyone would love them. To me, these kayaking trails truly showcase the Best of Florida and I can’t wait to share them with you!
Living in Florida, almost my entire life, I have been fortunate enough to kayak countless trails throughout the state. And I know for a fact, there are tons of fantastic kayaking trails to try! But in this post, I want to focus on, what I think are the best, bucket list worthy experiences that you can have while kayaking in Florida. These kayaking trails are the ones that completely blew our family away and these are the experiences that I know we will never forget! So let me share with you below our absolute favorites so your family too can experience the best kayaking in Florida!
Amazing Kayaking Trails in Florida for Your “Traveling Feet!”
Kayak Through a Mangrove Tunnel
Weedon Island Preserve
St. Petersburg, FL
Did you know that you can kayak through a tunnel made completely of mangroves? You can! And it’s Incredible! Kayaking through a mangrove tunnel completely immerses you into an almost unreal world. Completely surrounded by nature, this amazing kayak trail lets you feel like you are a million miles away from any civilization and a true explorer. And scenery is gorgeous! To me, mangroves are such a unique and fascinating plant. And being able to paddle through a seemingly endless tunnel of them is truly a magical experience that I know our family will never forget!
How to Kayak at Weedon Island Preserve
First, to find this amazing kayak adventure, you’ll need to go to Weedon Island Preserve in St. Petersburg, Florida. (This is on the west coast in the Tampa Bay area.) When you arrive, you’ll find a parking area located at the end of Weedon Island Drive (see map link below). This is about 1.5 miles from the preserve entrance.
Once you’re parked, you’ll be right near the kayak rental/ launch site.
Kayaking Information
- The trail you’ll want to paddle is the South Paddling Trail “Mangrove Tunnel Trail”. (See the paddling trail map link below.)
- This kayak trail is considered the Best Mangrove Tunnel north of the Everglades!
- Length – 4 miles
- Numbered markers (#1-38) along this paddling trail will help guide your way.
- Important – Paddle this trail at mid to high tide to get through the shallow sections near the mangrove tunnel. Tidal Chart for Weedon Island
- Family Tip: Although this trail is great for families, I would recommend that an adult should be in each kayak you take to help paddle the narrow mangrove tunnel portion of this trail.
Animals You May Encounter
- You may find many types of wading birds like the beautiful reddish egret, roseate spoonbill & the white ibis.
- Look for the little mangrove crabs that live on the mangrove branches in the mangrove tunnel.
- At times there can be a lot of little mangrove crabs on the branches. And since this is a tunnel they may be right above you or next to your kayak. (If someone in your kayak party will have a hard time with this, this might be good to know ahead of time.)
- Be sure to also keep a look out for the Endangered West Indian Manatee and Dolphins swimming past in the open water section of the Bayou on this trail.
- (We even saw a baby manatee with its mom here one time!)
Mangrove Information
Mangroves are extremely important to Florida’s ecosystem. They serve as nurseries for fish, oysters, crab, shrimp and more. Their branches are nesting rookeries for many species of birds. And their root system helps prevent erosion and stabilize the shoreline.
How Did These Mangrove Tunnels Form?
Many mangrove tunnels that exist today were originally from ditches that were dug years ago for mosquito control. This strategy did not work, and the ditches left behind eventually canopied over to become these cool mangrove tunnels (like the ones at Weedon Island). Other mangrove tunnels in the state have been known to form naturally where tidal waters ebb and flow.
Other Fun Things to Do at Weedon Island Preserve
Weedon Island Preserve itself is also a fun place to hike. Here there is approximately 2 miles of boardwalks/ paved trails, plus there is also 2.7 miles of nature trails to explore. There is also a Cultural & Natural History Center where you can learn all about life under the water, in the mangrove swamps and the history of the people who lived here from 1,000-1,800 years ago. And you can even see a 1,100 year old canoe!
Important Information
Weedon Island Preserve: 1800 Weedon Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
Kayak Rental: Ecomersion Kayak Rentals (727) 509-7629
Kayak Trail: South Paddling Trail (Mangrove Trail!) – 4 miles
- Best paddled at mid-high tide.
Time Needed – about 3 hours
Trail Map: Weedon Island Trail Map
Paddling Trail Map: South Paddling Trail Map
More Amazing Mangrove Tunnels to Explore in Florida
- The Florida Keys
- Key Largo Dusenbury Creek – located on the boundary of the Everglades National Park – old growth mangrove tunnels, considered some of the most beautiful in the state of Florida. Florida Bay Outfitters offers tours.
- Islamorada (Robbie’s of Islamorada) kayak rentals for an easy reach to extensive mangrove tunnels.
- Marathon (Eco Kayak Tours: The Red Mangroves) 3 hour easy guided kayak tour.
- Big Pine Key (Big Pine Kayak Adventures) Mangrove tunnels eco tour and petite key deer.
- The Everglades
- Everglades City – Everglades Area Tours, self-guided or tours of the cypress swamps to coastal estuaries to natural mangrove tunnels.
Kayak the Crystal Clear Waters of Rainbow Springs
Rainbow Springs State Park, FL
Imagine, looking out over a pool of crystal clear, sapphire-blue water, where you can easily see all the way to the bottom and simply watch animals as they silently swim past. This is Florida’s breathtaking Rainbow Springs, and here I want to show you, how you too can experience these magical waters.
Kayaking Rainbow Springs and the Rainbow River is an experience that will simply take your breath away. The water here is completely unreal! And the landscape surrounding this area is fantastically Florida!
How to Kayak at Rainbow River
Kayaking at Rainbow River in Florida is incredibly easy to do. When you enter the state park, kayak rentals are just past the swimming dock at the springhead. All you’ll need to do is just decide how long you’d like to kayak these incredible waters and head out.
At Rainbow River there is no complicated kayak trail to follow. Just go up the river as far as you’d like to go and enjoy these breathtaking crystal clear waters. Please be aware that there is a slight current you will have to paddle against on the way back, but this shouldn’t be a problem.
Important Information
Rainbow Springs State Park: 19158 S.W. 81st Place Road, Dunnellon FL 34432
Rainbow River: 5.7 miles long, less than 25 feet deep & spectacular crystal clear water
Temperature: 72 degrees year-round
Kayak Rental: Right by the Headsprings
Hours: Open 8am-5pm but the park closes when it reaches capacity. This commonly occurs on weekends and in the summer. Visit on the weekday if possible and arrive early.
- (Please confirm hours, Rainbow Springs Park is normally open until sunset, but due to Covid restrictions they periodically are limiting hours.)
Cost: $2 per person at the Headsprings – This is where you can swim, kayak (for an extra charge) & walk the beautiful gardens.
Kayaking Tips
When kayaking the Rainbow River in Florida, the water will be the clearest and most brilliant when the sun is shining bright and it is closer to mid-day (~10-3pm). But this is also the hottest part of the day and you will be very exposed on this river. So make sure you bring sunscreen, sunhat or a sun shirt so you don’t burn.
Recommendation
For an even more incredible experience, bring a water proof camera to stick into the water for some great shots! We were able to get awesome footage of things like turtles swimming by under the water as we kayaked past.
But don’t worry if you don’t have an underwater camera, because here the water is so clear that you can get pictures of the river floor, like the above, just from looking down beside your kayak!
Items You May Want to Bring With You
This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy. We only share products with you that we use and love for our family. Thank you for supporting 10 Traveling Feet.
Other Fun Things to Do at Rainbow Springs
At Rainbow Springs you can also stroll the beautiful gardens paths, lined with azaleas, oaks and magnolias along with 3 picturesque man-made waterfalls. And you can swim or go tubing in these incredible crystal clear waters!
More Great Springs to Kayak in Florida
- Ichetucknee Springs/ River – Crystal clear waters, 6 mile long river
- Three Sisters Springs – Crystal clear water that is part of Crystal River (see below for more information!)
- Wekiwa Springs/ River – Crystal clear waters, 16 mile long river
- Weeki Wachee Springs/ River (click to read more)– Crystal clear waters, 7.4 miles long river that feeds into the Gulf of Mexico.
Kayak with Manatees
Three Sisters Springs/ Crystal River/ Kings Bay
Manatees are amazing and gentle creatures that swim along Florida’s coastline and up into its waterways throughout the year. But during most of the year, they can be pretty hard to find. This is except for when Florida’s surrounding water temperature’s drop below 68 degrees Fahrenheit during part of the winter months. It is at these times that you can almost be guaranteed to find them! And it is at these times, if you know where to go, that you can have a spectacular time kayaking with tons of Florida’s manatees!
Why Can You Find Manatees Easier When it’s Cold?
When Florida’s surrounding water temperatures drop below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, manatees from all over the states will head up specific rivers to be closer to Florida’s warmer water springs. This is because these springs remain at a constant 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. And it is these warm water springs that are absolute life savers in the winter for the endangered West Indian Florida Manatee. (Please always respect these amazing creatures when paddling near them.)
Kayaking With Manatees at Crystal River/ Kings Bay/ Three Sisters Springs in FL
Kayaking with manatees in Florida is an insanely cool experience! And Crystal River is the Largest Natural Winter Refuge for Manatees in the World! Each winter as many as 800 Manatees will congregate both in and around the 70+ natural springs that make up the Crystal River/ Kings Bay Area.
Important Information
Location: Crystal River, FL is located on the West Coast of Florida, approximately 1.5 hours north of Tampa.
Top Springs in this Area:
- Three Sisters Springs is the most popular to visit due to it’s crystal clear beautiful waters and the fact that it is the only place in the area that provides land access to see the manatees. (Yet, there’s an additional fee to visit Three Sisters Springs by land.)
- Other major springs here include King Spring, Tarpon Spring, Idiots Delight, Hunter Spring, Jurassic & House Spring. These are accessed most easily by water.
- Map of Crystal River/ Kings Bay/ Three Sisters Springs
Know Before You Go:
- Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge & Kings Bay Manatee Refuge are specifically designated Manatee Protection Areas for the Threatened Florida Manatee.
- Crowds are quite common during the manatee season so we recommend visiting/ kayaking during the week or early in the morning if possible.
- The best time to visit is on a cold Florida day when the Gulf of Mexico’s temperature is below 68 degrees, although some manatees can be found year-round in these waters.
- This area is the ONLY location in the United States where it is legal to Swim with Wild Manatees! Many tour companies in the area offer ways to easily swim with these gentle giants.
- Homosassa Springs (also in Citrus County) is ~15 minutes south of Crystal River, FL and has many manatee viewing/ swimming options as well.
How to Kayak with Manatees at Crystal River
(There is no entrance fee to view manatees from the water by Three Sisters Springs.)
Hunter Spring’s Park is a popular public launch site with kayak rentals available. This public park is ~1 mile by water to Three Sisters Springs. Please note that launching from this site requires requires kayaking across the slightly rougher water of Kings Bay if you are wanting to visit Three Sisters Springs. This is no problem at all for most people but if you have small children or are uncomfortable kayaking then check out Crystal River Kayaking Company. (If Kayaking, Please Always Follow the Guidelines for Kayaking Near Manatees.)
Crystal River Kayaking Company is the closest dock to Three Sisters Springs and is approximately 8-10 minutes by kayak through calm canals. The only downside is that you will be kayaking through the canals of people’s “backyards” to get to the springs. (We love kayaking with this company because this calm water paddle allows our 2 older kids to paddle their own kayak without any problem on the way to Three Sisters Springs.)
Helpful Tips for Your Manatee Kayaking Experience
- The video above was taken with an underwater camera attached to a monopod. We just put the pole into the water while kayaking near Three Sisters Spring and got some great video! We highly recommend doing this!
- Taking underwater video will seriously add to your kayaking experience. When kayaking, it can sometimes be hard to get a good look at the manatees and their faces. Shadows may be on the water, obstructing the clarity, or the ripples on the water can mess up your view. Also, when kayaking, you primarily see the manatee’s backs and their noses as they breathe. But with an underwater camera you can really see how adorable these manatees’ faces are!
So, now you’re all set to go experience the best kayaking in Florida! I hope you are able to get out there and have an amazing kayaking experience with your “Traveling Feet!”
If You Found This Post Helpful, Please Share / Pin It
TOP KAYAKING TOURS IN FLORIDA
Related Posts:
- Where, When & How to Best See Manatees in Florida
- Rainbow Springs State Park: How to Visit these Breathtaking Crystal Clear Water
You May Also Like:
Traveling with Kids & Looking for Great Books?
