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17 Best Places

to Kayak in Miami, FL

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Published May 9, 2022

Are you looking for the best places to kayak in Miami, FL? Then you are at the right place because I’m going to tell you the 17 most adventurous and well-maintained best places to kayak.

Miami is a magical city in the south of Florida. It has beautiful beaches along the Atlantic Ocean and has rivers and parks full of water and wildlife.

17 Best Places to Kayak in Miami, FL - Summary

17 Best Places to Kayak in Miami, Florida

Miami is a great place to visit, especially for those looking for the best places to enjoy kayaking. Miami gives you a lot of opportunities to enjoy your summer vacation. There are a lot of places you can visit if you love water sports.

So, let’s find out the 17 best places to kayak in Miami, FL.

Best Rivers to Kayak in Miami

It’s no secret Miami has some of the best kayaking rivers in the United States. Whether you are looking for a relaxing float down a lazy river, or a thrilling adventure down white-water rapids, Miami has something to offer every kayaker.

Following are some best rivers and places to kayak in Miami, FL.

Loxahatchee River

Loxahatchee River in Jupiter fl-min

If you are looking for a day trip kayaking in Miami, you might want to try the Loxahatchee River. The weather is beautiful and pleasant all year round, making it an ideal spot for a kayaking excursion.

This river is known as the wild and scenic one. It’s a protected area of nature, so you will want to be careful when you visit. you will see all sorts of wildlife while you are kayaking through this river, and you can even go fishing here if that is something that interests you.

The river flows for about 8 miles and is great for fishing. It’s perfect for novice kayakers and those who are still learning the ropes, but experienced kayakers will enjoy it too. There are also plenty of creeks and tributaries that lead off from the river to explore as well.

Oleta River State Park

Oleta River State Park Miami FL

Oleta River State Park is a must-visit for kayakers in Miami. This park has everything you could want: a scenic river, mangrove tunnels, and even white sandy beaches.

The park has equipment rentals to have all the gear you need on-site. If you are staying in the Miami Beach area and want to do some outdoor activities, this is a great place to visit.

You can paddle through tunnels of tropical plants and get lost in nature’s beauty. You can even see some wildlife while you are there. But, be careful; there are also alligators in the waters.

Middle River (Miami River)

Middle River Miami River

The most relaxing place in Miami to Kayak is, without a doubt, the Middle River. There are many charming, picturesque places to stop and explore along its banks: you can tour a butterfly park, visit a historic cemetery, or snap some photos of the million-dollar homes that line the river’s edge.

It’s a great place for beginners and everyone else to see some of Florida’s amazing wildlife up close. It has plenty of mangroves and other plants that attract all kinds of birds, fish, and even the occasional dolphin or manatee.

You can also find a number of spots along the river where you can stop and take a break from paddling at Middle River.

St. Lucie River

St. Lucie River is one of the most popular kayaking spots in the Miami area, and for a good reason. It’s got that gorgeous, crystal-clear water you expect from Florida, plus an amazing windy trail that’s perfect for cruising through the woods.

The river is very calm and wide, so it’s a great choice for beginners, but it’s also perfectly suited to more experienced kayakers looking to get in some practice without having to worry about choppy water or high speeds.

New River

New River Miami Florida

New River is the perfect place for kayaking, especially for beginners and those new to the city. The river cuts through downtown Miami, and it’s easy to find a spot to take a rest and enjoy the weather in your Kayak.

New River is great because of all the sights and landmarks you can see from the river, including some of Miami’s most famous skyscrapers and the Port of Miami. you will also see lots of boats and other watercraft, making for a fun experience.

Rainbow River

If you want to feel like you are in a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean, Rainbow River is the perfect place for you for kayaking. The river is crystal clear, and it’s surrounded by lush greenery and wildlife, so you will see all kinds of fish and birds while you are out on the water.

Because the water is so clear, you can see up to 20 feet down, and the river has an average depth of 10 feet. That means that you can see all the way to the bottom in most spots!

Best Parks to Kayak in Miami, FL

Miami is one of the best adventurous places in the entire world, especially popular for its parks. So, here are some best parks in Miami where you can kayak and enjoy the weather.

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park

When you are looking for calm waters, you can’t beat John D. MacArthur Beach, State Park. While it’s a great place to Kayak, the clear waters are perfect for paddling. You can enjoy your time on the water without worrying about choppy waves or high winds.

Plus, when you are done in the water, you can explore the beautiful nature trails and see some of Florida’s native wildlife.

The park offers both single and double kayaks for half-day rentals at $30 and $50, respectively, and you are welcome to take one out for longer than six hours if you would like.

Indian Key Historic State Park, FL

Indian Key Historic State Park is the perfect place to go kayaking if you are looking for a petite, pristine island that’s removed from the bustle of Miami.

The island is just accessible by boat, so you will have to be ready for a little adventure. But once you get there, you will find yourself surrounded by crystal-clear water and gorgeous white beaches and historic townsite, and natural areas.

John Pennekamp Park, FL

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is one of the best places to kayak in Miami, FL. It’s easy to get to, and there are plenty of places to rent kayaks and take lessons if you are not an experienced kayaker.

The park is also home to a large variety of wildlife. You might see manatees, sea turtles, sea horses, dolphins, and all kinds of fish while you are out on the water.

It’s a phenomenal place to experience the natural environment of South Florida, and it offers a number of opportunities for kayaking. If you are looking for rock formations, coral heads, and fish that are as colorful as they are numerous, this park will not disappoint you.

Other Best Places to Kayak in Miami

If you are in Miami, you are lucky enough to live in a city that offers plenty of great spots to Kayak. Besides rivers and parks, there are also a bunch of other places where you can go and enjoy kayaking in Miami.

Some of them are here:

Whiskey Creek

The calm, serene waters of Whiskey Creek are perfect for any kayaking trip. Whether you are a serious kayaker or just looking for a fun day on the water with friends, Whiskey Creek is sure to be a hit.

It’s also one of the most dangerous. This is because Whiskey Creek is where you will find the infamous and elusive manatee, who are known for capsizing kayaks with their massive bodies.

However, this is a risk worth taking; there are few sights on earth more beautiful than a wild manatee in its natural habitat. If you are interested in wildlife photography, Whiskey Creek is an excellent place to start.

Nine Mile Pond Trail

Nine Mile Pond is one of the best places to kayak in Miami, FL because it’s pretty awesome. The pond is actually man-made and has a lot of wildlife in and around it, making it perfect for wildlife enthusiasts and kayakers.

I recommend going either early in the morning or in the evening, so you don’t have to deal with the hot Miami sun.

You will float among the native vegetation and be able to see turtles, ducks, and other wildlife as you glide through the water. This is a great option for beginners or people who want to get in some quick practice before moving on to more challenging locations.

Bear Lake Canoe Trail

Bear Lake Canoe Trail is a great place for families and beginners to try out kayaking. The trail consists of a series of connected lakes that are ideal for young children. The lakes are shallow, which means you don’t have to worry about your child flipping over because they’ll be able to touch the bottom at all times.

It is a fantastic spot for kayaking in Miami. Bear Lake is famous for its clear, blue waters and its abundance of fish, making it a great place to go kayaking. The shoreline is lined with oak trees, which provide shade and shelter for the lake’s inhabitants. This trail is best suited to beginners, as it’s relatively calm and shallow.

You can paddle up to one mile on the lake, but be sure not to disturb the wildlife during mating season.

Sandfly Island, FL

Sandfly Island is also one of the best places to kayak in Miami, FL. The waters are generally calm, and the views are amazing. It’s also a great spot to catch fish if you are hoping to take some home. Since the current and winds are not strong, it’s also a good place to learn how to kayak.

Sandfly Island is surrounded by calm, clear waters that are a gorgeous turquoise color. The island’s white-sand beach and scenic palm trees make it an idyllic spot to paddle up to, but if you don’t want to get out of your Kayak, you can expect plenty of tropical fish, a wide variety of birds, and photo ops galore. You may even see pods of dolphins swimming in the distance!

Just remember to wear sunscreen; the sun is pretty unrelenting in Miami.

Biscayne Bay

Biscayne Bay is a great place to kayak if you are looking for a calm, relaxing paddle. With an abundance of mangroves and seagrasses, you will get a ton of shade and won’t have to deal with choppy waves or heavy winds. Most of the bay is enclosed, making it an ideal spot for paddlers of all skill levels.

The bay has also been designated as a marine sanctuary, so you might just glimpse some of the bay’s most rare inhabitants, including manatees and dolphins.

Hells Bay Canoe Trail

Hells Bay Canoe Trail is the perfect place to take your Kayak out. Paddling through the Hells Bay Canoe Trail is like paddling through a scene from “The Jungle Book,” complete with monkeys, birds, and alligators. This 8-mile trail is gorgeous, with mangrove trees, birds, and more.

The first part of the trail is very shallow (3 feet deep), but it becomes truly magical one mile in. Here you will find an abundance of wildlife, with bald eagles soaring overhead and ibis and ospreys swooping down to catch fish. It’s a great place to spot bottlenose dolphins and Florida manatees.

West Lake

West Lake is a quiet place to kayak in Miami, Florida. If you are looking for a peaceful, scenic place to kayak in a natural environment, West Lake is perfect. This lake is in the middle of a huge park that’s full of wildlife and plants. It’s also a great place to take your kids, who can enjoy the playgrounds and nature trails while you are out on the water.

West Lake’s crystal-clear green water and hot temperature will be like summer year-round. Whether you are looking for a place to relax or something more adventurous, there are plenty of options here for kayaking.

Noble Hammock

Noble Hammock is another one of the best places to kayak in Miami, FL. Noble Hammock is a must-visit if you want to experience the best kayaking in Miami. You will find everything from calm waters for beginners to rapids for experts. You can even get out of your kayaks and hike around the parks and trails scattered throughout the area.

The vast swampland that makes up Noble Hammock provides a unique and beautiful setting for kayaking. You can get lost in the mangroves and cypress trees, and you might even catch a glimpse of some of the animals that call this area home, like otters, bobcats, bald eagles, and snakes.

Conclusion

So, these are the best places to kayak in Miami, FL. Hopefully, you will get the chance to experience some of these amazing places on your next kayaking adventure. Whether you are a local of Miami or just a traveler looking for a new location to explore, there is so much to see and do. I recommend that you visit these places as soon as possible before another year has passed!

Jay Schwartz author of Kayak Guidance

About the Author - Jay Schwartz:

Hey there kayak lovers! I’m Jay Schwartz, the author here at Kayak Guidance! You know water sports – you know me! My life is all about it. Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Fishing, Snorkeling and so much more. I love to share my passion and knowledge with all of you. 

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