Where to paddle board in Florida?
When you think of Florida what comes to mind? I asked this to some friends and some of what they mentioned was Margaritaville, the Florida keys, swamps, Florida man, awesome sandy beaches, swamps, gators, and snakes. Everglades, manatees, fishing and paddle boards, and more manatees. We are going to explore some of the best places to go paddle boarding in Florida. As always quality matters and this is where Glides ultra durable boards come in so you can go paddle boarding without worry.
Key Highlights
- Crystal River to Three Sister Springs: A must-visit for clear waters and manatee encounters. Launch from Hunter Springs Park or Crystal River Kayak and Dive Center for best access.
- Everglades National Park: Paddle through America's largest tropical wilderness, home to endangered species and offering a disconnect from the digital world.
- Ten Thousand Islands: Explore mangroves, pioneer homes, and wildlife like loggerhead sea turtles and dolphins in this national wildlife refuge.
- Coastal Dune Lakes: Unique ecosystems that blend freshwater lakes with Gulf of Mexico's salty waves, perfect for SUP yoga, fishing, and surfing.
- Dry Tortugas National Park: An isolated paradise accessible only by seaplane or boat, featuring crystal-clear waters, historic forts, and vibrant coral reefs.
- Key West: Paddle through the diverse channels, over the protected coral reefs, and alongside an amazing assortment of wildlife.
- The Rainbow River: Known for its crystal clear waters and scenic beauty, it's ideal for paddlers of all levels, offering a tranquil SUP yoga spot.
Sup Crystal River to Three Sister Springs, Florida.
This is the river that should be a must to explore by paddle board. The crystal clear waters of this river are amazing, warm, clear, and lead to the best place to have in-water encounters with manatees. To reach the Three sisters springs, you can launch from either Hunter Springs Park, which has a small parking fee although gives restroom access with the fee. Or you can opt for a closer launch site and for a small fee launch from Crystal River Kayak and Dive Center which is my preferred launch site. We have always been able to see manatees in the canal north of this launch site and are then able to continue to Three Sisters Springs. The key here is to visit in the winter when the manatees come to this winter haven. Nov 15 through March 31st are prime manatee season for this adventure.
It is important to remember not to chase these gentle giants. If you are lucky enough to make this journey it is one you will remember for a lifetime. And makes for an adventure you can enjoy with even nonpaddle boarding friends or family as they can enjoy the natural beauty of the springs from the boardwalk as you enjoy the calm waters and up close adventures with manatees.
Sup Everglades National Park, Florida.
Sup Ten Thousand Islands, Florida.
Sup Coastal Dune Lakes, Florida.
Sup Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida.
Garden key has some short routes suitable for beginner sup enthusiasts while more experienced paddlers can do the longer routes to Long Key and Bush Key. You will have some epic paddling no matter what route you take!
Sup Key West, Florida.
Key West and the surrounding keys offer an amazing amount of diversity to paddle through. From navigating the inner channels of the keys to paddling the picturesque Gulf of Mexico. You will find a large assortment of wildlife on and around the keys, from pelicans and rays to bottlenose dolphins. Sup over to Key West's largest protected coral reef Western Sambos.
Sup The Rainbow River, Florida.
My favorite spot to sup in Florida is the Rainbow River, these waters are crystal clear making it seem like you are flying over the river bed. Along the river, you will see ancient oaks draped with Spanish moss, birds of all kinds, and playful wildlife like river otters.
The rainbow river is a mild journey suited for any level of paddler and is another great spot to paddle through breathtaking water and scenic backgrounds. Be sure to spend some time doing a bit of sup yoga.