Mangroves, Manatees, and More: Florida’s Stunning Paddle Destinations

Some of Florida’s most amazing natural marvels can be reached best—or only—by paddling a kayak or stand-up paddle board. With maze-like mangrove tunnels teeming with marine life, small islands found along the coasts, and places to float alongside manatees, the southeasternmost state is paradise for travelers looking to immerse themselves in nature with paddle in hand.

Step 1: Choose Your Craft

There are multiple ways to get out on the water without diving in, so it’s important to choose the right kind of vessel, both for your skill and comfort level and for the conditions. Kayaks and canoes tend to be better for cooler seasons and windy conditions. They have space for supplies, are better for long distances, are more stable, and can sometimes accommodate two people, making them ideal for paddling with a friend. On the other hand, stand-up paddle boards let riders see the sights from a higher vantage point. They are great for warm weather, offer a good workout, and allow tremendous freedom of movement. If you don’t have your own SUP or kayak, there are plenty of places to rent one and to see what suits you best.

Step 2: Map the Route

It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of exploring a destination teeming with wildlife, fish, and unique landscapes. However, it’s important to consider changing tides and the fact that it can be easy to get turned around. Research where you’ll be going ahead of time and map how to get back to your starting point. It’s always safer to paddle with a partner and to let someone on land know where you’ll be. If you bring a phone, invest in a waterproof dry bag that’s designed to float just in case you end up in the water. It happens to even the most experienced paddlers!

Step 3: Stock Supplies

No matter the season, Florida can be warm and sunny—they don’t call it the Sunshine State for nothing. If you’re planning to spend a day, or even a few hours, on the water, it’s important to bring the necessary provisions. Some experts suggest that paddlers should drink water every 20 minutes to stave off dehydration. For longer paddle sessions, consider adding electrolytes to your water. It’s also important to bring appropriate sun protection and, if you’re venturing into swampy areas, mosquito repellent.

Once you’re geared up, here are some of Florida’s hidden gems you’ll want to paddle out to see up close.

1. Lido Key Mangrove Tunnels

There’s really only one way to explore this breathtaking network of mangrove tunnels at Ted Sperling Nature Park in Sarasota: you need a kayak or SUP. Park and bring your craft to the Sperling boat launch and paddle to the right, where you’ll start to see the mangroves’ signature twisted root systems. The tunnels of this aquatic labyrinth are numbered, and they all connect to the same open area, so it’s easy to find your way back. The salt-loving trees form a lush, pitched canopy over the water—so tight that you can see precious little sky. Eagle-eyed paddlers will likely notice the fish and jellyfish swimming just beneath the surface of the crystalline waters and the fiddler crabs that scurry on the trees’ jumbled roots.

2. Ichetucknee Springs

Often dubbed “Florida’s natural lazy river,” the 6-mile-long Ichetucknee River in Ichetucknee Springs State Park is fed by nine pristine underwater springs that keep the water at a consistent 72 degrees. This destination in Fort White is a 2,669-acre preserve where animals like softshell turtles, otters, beavers, wild turkeys, deer, manatees, and owls thrive. (The park is also home to more than 50 species of butterflies.) The river is a major draw, with its impeccably clear water that reveals fish darting in and out of submerged eelgrass. Rent a kayak, SUP, or canoe from Paddling Adventures, located inside the park, near the south entrance. Excursions range from a 3.5-mile paddle up to a 9-mile trip that takes you on both the Ichetucknee and Santa Fe Rivers. The park is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, so while you paddle, keep an eye out for red-headed woodpeckers and Bachman’s sparrows perching in the moss-draped cypress trees and wading birds such as ibis and herons in the water.

3. Indian Key Historic State Park

It’s hard to imagine that this 11-acre island in the Florida Keys was once the county seat of Dade County. At that time, in 1836, it was a site of a lucrative salvage business that rescued cargo from ships that ran aground in the surrounding shallow waters. Located a half-mile offshore, it’s accessible only by boat. One of the best ways to reach Indian Key is by paddling over the shallow flats covered in swaying seagrass. To keep from following in the footsteps of boats of old and running aground, plan your visit during high tide so your kayak or canoe will glide over the shallows. You might spot small sharks, stingrays, and the black and yellow-gold trunkfish swimming beneath you. Aim for the designated “Kayak Landing” spot on the south side of the island (there’s a sign, so you can’t miss it) and spend time swimming and wandering the historic village ruins before paddling back.

4. Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is a national treasure. Established in 1934, the 1.5 million acres of South Florida swampland make up the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S. There are few better ways to experience the park’s varied aquatic landscapes than by kayak or canoe. Guests can bring their own watercraft, rent one, or hire a permitted guide to outfit the trip, which can last from a few hours to several days, depending on where you want to explore. Ten put-ins around the park are marked, and paddling trails wind through mangrove forests, Florida Bay’s open waters, 10,000 islands, freshwater marshes, and more. For an experience filled with wildlife sightings, experienced paddlers can plan a multi-day wilderness camping adventure along the 99-mile Wilderness Waterway that connects Flamingo and Everglades City.

5. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

On the central Florida coast east of Orlando lies the 140,000-acre Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, one of the country’s most productive estuaries (a transition zone between the sea’s salt water and surrounding freshwater zones). Established in 1963 as a refuge for the protection of migratory birds, it’s now a prime bird-watching stop. According to the Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee, there are 521 species of birds in the state, and 359 of those are found here. Look for bald eagles, flamingos, roseate spoonbills, and reddish egrets. Then, come back at night for an otherworldly experience. Join a tour and paddle after the sun goes down to see the bioluminescent phytoplankton, called Dinoflagellates, that glitters beneath the waves as the water is disturbed. Peak season for this sparkling chemical reaction is from July to September, though guests can spot comb jellies—which have a similar underwater light effect—all year long.

6. Wakulla River

Geologists estimate that Florida has more than 1,000 freshwater springs, likely the largest concentration on the planet. Just south of Tallahassee, visit the world’s largest, Wakulla Springs, which feeds a river of the same name, part of the state’s extensive system of canoe trails. The 10-mile paddling trail is easy to manage at a leisurely pace in a half day (the current is gentle enough that it’s possible to make it a round trip so you don’t need to shuttle back to your starting point). Towering trees over the river provide a haven for birds such as osprey, cormorant, and anhinga, and paddlers are almost certain to see turtles (Suwannee Cooters are easy to spot, thanks to their vibrant yellow-orange undersides). Warmer months invite gentle manatees to swim in the clear waters, providing an extra-special wildlife watching experience.

7. The Great Calusa Blueway

At this spot in Lee County, paddlers have access to 190 miles of marked canoe and kayaking trails winding through the pristine inland tributaries, rivers, bays, mangroves, and the Gulf of Mexico’s open waters. Because the trails are marked, beginner to expert paddlers can feel comfortable getting on the water to spot dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and a host of birds. The Blueway has three distinct regions: Estero Bay, Pine Island and Matlacha Pass, and Caloosahatchee River and its tributaries. Maps for each area are available for download online, but for an interactive map that covers all three, download the free Calusa Blueways iPhone app.

8. Rock Springs

The Wekiva River Watershed in northern central Florida is in a transitional area between subtropical and temperate zones, resulting in a mix of wetland and aquatic ecosystems. Within the area, Rock Springs pumps out 26,000 gallons of pristine water (68 to 72 degrees year round) each minute; the stream of the same name joins the Wekiva River, creating a unique paddling opportunity. In fact, the Wekiva River is one of only two in the state designated as part of the federal “wild and scenic” program to preserve waterways with “outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values.” Paddle the emerald-hued water and watch the landscape change from narrow and jungle-like to wide, placid stretches of water where river otters frolic in the gentle waves and herons and egrets scout their next meal.