Exploring Florida by water is an amazing way to see the Sunshine State in a whole new light. There’s no better way to do that than by navigating the rivers, springs, backwaters, and more by launching a kayak and paddling off on your watery adventure. For some of the most scenic and beautiful spots for your next paddle, check out this list of magical kayaking spots in Florida. From mangrove tunnels to crystal clear springs to open salty air, these kayaking spots show off all of Florida’s best angles. And with the maneuverability of a kayak, you’ll get to explore places you’d never see if you were hiking by land. Admire Florida’s lush flora and keep an eye out for friendly fauna, especially manatees! These places will even lead you to some hidden Florida treasures like underwater caves, jungle-like rivers, and glowing bioluminescent waters. Editor's Choice: There Are New Shocking Details On Carole Baskin's Missing Husband's Cold Case (VIDEO) And while a solo kayak adventure can always be a fun day trip, a tandem kayak with your best adventure buddy just means double the fun. So, grab your paddles and a waterproof case for your camera so you can capture all the beauty while exploring these gorgeous kayaking spots around Florida. Chassahowitzka River Price: $5 parking at the campground Address: Launch Site at 8600 W. Miss Maggie Dr., Chassahowitzka, FL Why You Need To Go: This lush river has several offshoots to explore that even lead to hidden underwater caves you can dive through. View this post on Instagram It was fun paddling to the hidden spring, but it’s also nice to find a spring that has some people enjoying the beauty that Florida offers. This spring is called Seven Sisters Springs. This has 7 holes (hence the name) that form an underground/underwater cave system. You can see people gathered around the biggest and bluest hole. You can swim through some of the holes and come out to another part of the spring. Though this sounds fun, and even though I did it a few times, there are signs everywhere warning that people have died spelunking in these caves. We watched some people swim though one portion and we got the courage to try it. It was a really cool experience, and @impulse4adventure might even have some @gopro footage of it! • • • • #mdcm_photography #chassahowitzka #chassahowitzkariver #sevensisters #thespringstate #floridasprings #pureflorida #roamflorida #lovefl #floridaproud #paddleboarding #paddleboardingadventures #supworldmagazine #standuppaddleboarding #standuppaddlemagazine #blackanchorusa #paddleboarding #irockersup #feelflorida #hashtagflorida #playhardflorida #floridaexplored #floridatravel #standuppaddle #visitflorida #onlyinflorida #bestofthesunshinestate A post shared by Matthew David Christian Majka (@mdcm_photography) on Jun 10, 2020 at 8:22am PDT Website Weedon Island Preserve Price: Free Address: 1800 Weedon Dr., St. Petersburg, FL Why You Need To Go: This Florida preserve has many amazing mangrove tunnels to paddle through, and great hiking trails on land, too. An observation tower will give you sweeping views of Tampa Bay. View this post on Instagram “The Sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”✌🏻❤️🌊 -Jacques Cousteau . . Snuck away this morning with @scasey91 for a paddle through #weedonislandpreserve. I can’t imagine ever living somewhere that wasn’t near the sea. . . . #saltlife #paddleboard #sup #girlsday #florida #ilivewhereyouvacation #mangroves #jacquescousteau A post shared by Kristen Lefkimiotis (@krislefk) on Aug 8, 2020 at 1:31pm PDT Website Hugh Taylor Birch State Park Price: $6 per vehicle Address: 3109 East Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL Why You Need To Go: This stunning park lets you paddle down a historical 60-year-old moat through towering melty-looking banyan trees, and even reach the sea. View this post on Instagram Little glimpse into our canoe adventure from yesterday. 😍#parkandocean #hughtaylorbirchstatepark #paddle #soflo #fortlauderdale #exploreflorida A post shared by Casey Katz Morgan (@casey_katz_meow) on Mar 4, 2019 at 4:54am PST Website Shell Key Preserve Price: Free admission, though a boat rental, kayak rental, or the ferry to get here may cost a small fee. Address: 2187 Oceanview Dr., Tierra Verde, FL Why You Need To Go: This gorgeous barrier island is prime kayaking territory, from tree tunnels to open salt air, not to mention a great shell hunting spot. You can rent a boat, take a ferry, or even paddle your way there by kayak or paddleboard. View this post on Instagram 🛶🏝Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. 🛶🏝 @getupandgokayaking . . . . . . . #kayaking #kayakingadventures #clearkayaks #shellkeypreserve #shellkeyisland #florida #tampabay #summervibes #summer2020 A post shared by Natalia Muñoz (@natimu18) on Jul 3, 2020 at 3:10pm PDT Website Bioluminescence Tour In Titusville Price: $72 Address: 485 N. Washington Ave., Titusville, FL Why You Need To Go: See a different side of Florida’s nightlife when you book a kayak tour with BK Adventure and experience the magic of bioluminescence. View this post on Instagram Ready for tonight?!💙✌🏼 #SaturdayVibes #GetOutsideFL Link in Bio🔝 . #florida #kayaking #kayak #bioluminescence #manatees #nightkayaking #nature #mothernature #adventure #Saturday #weekend #nighttime #SaturdayMorning A post shared by BK Adventure (@bkadventure) on Oct 13, 2018 at 8:24am PDT Website Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Price: $13 Address: 6131 Commercial Way., Weeki Wachee FL Why You Need To Go: You can see all the way to the bottom at this gorgeous spring, and you might even catch a glimpse of some manatees as well! View this post on Instagram I turn into a little kid every time I encounter one of these majestic beasts. Happy Manatee appreciation day my fellow nature lovers. • • • • • #manatee #paddleboarding #peaceful #dowhatyoulove #getoutside #suplife #weekiwachee #natureisneat #happyplace #nature #naturephotography #livewatersports A post shared by Ryan Goodpasture (@harboryan) on Mar 27, 2019 at 7:10pm PDT Website Get Up And Go Kayaking At Rainbow Springs Price: $50 Address: 9435 S.W. 190th Avenue Rd., Dunnellon, FL Why You Need To Go: Renting a clear kayak from Get Up And Go Kayaking has to be one of the best ways to experience the beauty of Rainbow Springs. Swimming here is super cheap too, costing only $2. View this post on Instagram Who is ready for a weekend of exploring?! A post shared by Clear Kayaking Rainbow Springs (@getupandgorainbowsprings) on Aug 6, 2020 at 5:25pm PDT Website Happy paddling! We strongly advise that before you go swimming or visit any location, you check the most recent updates on potential hazards, security, water quality, and closures. If you do plan to visit a location, respect the environment and obey any local laws.
