Miami is a magical place for kayaking, or for any activity on the water. You can choose from a variety of kayaking tours, rent a kayak and explore on your own, or launch your own kayak off one of the many boat ramps in the area. The benefit of kayaking is being able to explore more hidden spots you may not otherwise have access to by boat or automobile. November to May is the best time to visit Miami and adventure out on the water. During this dry season you’ll experience lower humidity, clear skies, fewer mosquitoes, and mild and pleasant temperatures.
Check out this map I made to locate the kayaking spots nearest you. I’ve included some inland areas not listed here, in case you’re feeling like adventuring the ‘real’ Miami.
Morningside Park
If you live in the area or travel with your kayak, Morningside Park is a spot with plenty of parking, for free. There are restrooms, picnic tables, and a small area to launch your vessel. Across the way, about a half-mile offshore is Morningside Picnic Islands, where you can rock up, explore the island and enjoy a picnic. Swim out on your kayak or paddleboard, but watch out for the boats traveling up and down the intracoastal! If you don’t travel with your water toys, Morningside Watersports will rent out the equipment and there’s even a Groupon deal for that!
Oleta River State Park
Oleta River State Park is located about 30 minutes north of downtown Miami Miami. Not only does it offer the opportunity to kayak the lush mangrove forests, but also to enjoy mountain biking and hiking 14 miles of multi-use trails. The park frequently reaches capacity, especially on the weekends. When this happens, they will not reopen until the next day. So plan accordingly, and have a plan-b! If you don’t come with your own kayak, rentals are available through Oleta River Outdoor Center, inside the park. If you prefer to paddle this area with a guide, check out Soflo Water Adventures.
Miami Beach
On Miami Beach, finding the water isn’t the problem, but rather it’s finding a place to park and launch your kayak! This is an excellent central location, and launching your kayak from the west side of Miami Beach is great for exploring the residential islands of the Biscayne Bay. From here you’ll enjoy the sights of the city all around you. If you have your own kayak you can launch from Maurice Gibb Memorial Park. Otherwise, MB Kayaks offers rentals so you can explore the bay, the islands, the multi-million dollar homes and the intracoastal.
Rickenbacker Causeway
There are several spots along the Rickenbacker where you can park on the shoulder and explore with your kayak. Most of these areas are free of charge, as long as you get there early before they fill up. If you’re looking for a rental, kayak or otherwise, Miami Watersports is also located on the Rickenbacker. From here you can explore Virginia Key and further south to Key Biscayne, which is a must-see if you’re traveling in the Miami area.
Matheson Hammock
Matheson Hammock is a popular spot amongst the locals, and another must-see if you’re visiting the Miami area. With ample grills and restrooms, an ocean ‘pool’, and a restaurant, it’s a lovely place to spend a day. Launch your own kayak and explore the mangrove tunnels and mansion-lined canals! You can also rent kayaks and other equipment here if you didn’t bring your own.
Black Point Park and Marina
Located in Homestead and nestled in a mangrove preserve directly on Biscayne Bay, this is an excellent and stress-free location to embark on your kayaking adventure. The park offers a dockside restaurant and bar, bike trails, a large picnic pavilion and grill, and a jetty extending 1.5 miles into the bay. Ideally you would be launching your own kayak here – check out these canoe route maps from Black Point Marina!
Looking for additional launch points? Thanks to Board and Kayak for this interactive map.
Kayak tours in Miami
If you’re just getting to know the area and prefer to explore with a guide, head on down to one or several of these guided tours.
Clear View Kayaks
Clear View offers guided kayak tours on see-through kayaks, as well as rentals. They offer daytime tours and ‘neon nights’ tours on the light-up clear kayaks. Ideally located on the west side of Miami Beach and east of the Venetian Islands, there’s plenty of excitement to explore over here.
Biscayne Bay Paddleboards & Kayaks
Here’s your pet-friendly kayaking option! Their schedule and pricing are very clear on their website where they offer single and double kayaks, morning tours, sunset tours, and they even provide life jackets for your pet! They also cater to groups, and provide everything (including bluetooth speakers!) that you’ll need to make your trip on the water a memorable one.
iPaddle Miami
iPaddle offers daytime and night time tours as well as kayak and paddleboard rentals. They even offer all-you-can-paddle passes in case you live in the area or plan to kayak a lot while you visit!
Biscayne National Park Institute
If you’re exploring south of Miami, the Biscayne National Park Institute offers a variety of paddling adventures and other eco-tours which can range from a few hours to a whole day. They offer an opportunity to explore the National Park with a guide to learn about the park’s history and habitats, to explore the calm and clear waters of the Jones Lagoon, and to kayak through mangroves and seagrass meadows.
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