While kayaking, canoeing or paddleboarding is possible year-round in the Sunshine State, Florida’s mild winter temperatures make for great weather while on the water.
Whether heading north to Ocala National Forest, west to the Withlacoochee River or east to the Indian River, there’s no shortage of paddling options.
Some of these suggestions come from Matt Clark, who leads kayaking tours through Real Florida Guide and hosts demos with packable kayaks.
Rock Springs
Rock Springs‘ “Emerald Cut” provides paddlers with some of the most beautiful scenery Central Florida has to offer. A quick paddle is available by heading south and toward the spring boil. A boat launch is available at King’s Landing along with canoe and kayak rentals.
Length: 2-3 hours, roundtrip
Launch address: 5722 Baptist Camp Road in Apopka
Cost: $3 entry fee per vehicle; $10 launch fee; $20 with shuttle available seasonally
More info: kingslandingfl.com
Winter Park Chain of Lakes
Winter Park’s chain of lakes is comprised of six lakes (Virginia, Mizell, Osceola Maitland, Nina and Minnehaha) connected by navigable channels. View the backyards of historic Winter Park mansions while enjoying a peaceful paddle through canals and across lakes. Peace of Mind Kayak Tours offers guided paddles and rentals taking off from Dinky Dock on Lake Virginia.
Length: 3-4 hours, roundtrip
Launch address: 410 Ollie Ave. in Winter Park
Cost: $45 for adults; $35 for children ages 3-13
More info: peaceofmindkayaktours.com
Blue Spring State Park
Known by many as a wintertime haven for manatees, Blue Spring State Park offers great paddling opportunities along the nearby St. Johns River. The large “sea cows” may be seen near the entrance to the Blue Spring run, and Floridian scenery is abundant for paddlers along Snake Creek as well. Launch from French Landing or rent kayaks and canoes from St. Johns River Cruises inside the state park. The business also offers a river cruise nature tour for those wishing to take the work out of their water adventure.
Length: 2-4 hours, roundtrip
Launch address: 2398 W. French Ave. in Orange City
Cost: $6 entry fee per vehicle. Kayak and canoe rentals range from $17-$54. River cruise nature tours are $28 for adults, $26 for ages 60 and older, $18 for ages 3-12 and free for kids under age 3.
More info: sjrivercruises.com
Silver Springs State Park
Though this park is known for its famous glass-bottom boat tours, Silver Springs also provides a great option for paddling along a scenic kayak trail. Kayaks, paddleboards and canoes are available for rent within the state park or you can bring your own. Choose from short, out-and-back excursions or take a five-mile paddle to Ray Wayside Park with a shuttle back to the park.
Length: 1-2 hours, roundtrip; 3-5 hours, one way with shuttle
Launch address: 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd. in Silver Springs
Cost: $8 entry fee per vehicle; kayak, canoe and paddleboard rentals range from $15-$45; $4 launch fee for personal vessels
More info: silversprings.com
Juniper Springs
Known as one of the more beautiful paddles in Central Florida, Juniper Springs run provides recreationists with dazzling blue waters and abundant Floridian flora and fauna. Launch kayaks, paddleboards or rentable canoes from the Juniper Springs Recreation Area and enjoy a seven-mile run with pristine spring waters and scenery. Due to the narrow, twisty nature of this run, it’s not the best-suited trip for beginners. A shuttle is available at the take-out point.
Length: 4-5 hours, one-way
Launch address: 26701 State Road 40 in Silver Springs
Cost: $5.50 day-use fee per person; $42 for canoe rental; $6 launch fee for personal vessels
More info: fs.usda.gov
Alexander Springs
This first-magnitude spring provides visitors with refreshing swimming opportunities, but it’s also great for paddlers. Alexander Springs in Ocala National Forest provides a wide, slow-flowing run with Floridian scenery and wildlife such as turtles, fish and alligators. Launch at Alexander Springs Recreation Area or rent a canoe or kayak from the concession stand on-site.
Length: 3-4 hours, roundtrip
Launch address: 49525 County Road 445 in Altoona
Cost: $6 day-use fee per person; $16-$38 for canoe rentals; $6 launch fee for personal vessels
More info: fs.usda.gov
Mosquito Lagoon
Paddlers on the Mosquito Lagoon near Titusville are in for a treat during the hot summer months when nature’s blue-glowing wonder, dinoflagellates, are most visible. These single-celled, bioluminescent organisms light up when the water is disturbed. Paddle when conditions are right to see amazing blue luminosity with every paddle splash in the water. Many tours are available for this experience, including with Adventures in Florida, Real Florida Guide and Peace of Mind Kayak Tours.
Length: 2-3 hours, roundtrip
Launch address: 2011 A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway in Titusville or Haulover Canal in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Cost: Tour prices vary by company
More info: adventuresinflorida.com; realflorida.guide; peaceofmindkayaktours.com/trips
Econlockhatchee River
The Econlockhatchee River, known as the Econ River for short, offers paddlers untouched Floridian wilderness and bountiful wildlife including birds, deer and the occasional black bear. Nineteen miles of the Econ are designated for paddling, and several launch points are available to do sections of the river. Econ Outfitters offers rentals and trips of varying lengths complete with a shuttle ride. Real Florida Guide offers small guided tours as well.
Length: 3-5 hours, one way with shuttle
Launch address: 3799 Willingham Road in Oviedo
Cost: Econ Outfitters kayak and canoe tours range from $49-$69 (shuttle ride available for private vessels and paddlers for $10); Real Florida Guide group tours are $45 per person
More info: econoutfitters.com; realflorida.guide
Lower Wekiva River
The Wekiva River is one of only two rivers in Florida recognized as a National Wild and Scenic River, so paddlers should expect to be immersed in nature during this scenic journey. Make sure to bring your own watercraft for this paddle, as no rentals are available at the launch (though they are at Wekiva Outfitters slightly downriver). Pack snacks and water as well, as restroom facilities are one of the only amenities offered at Katie’s Landing.
Length: 3-5 hours, roundtrip
Launch address: 262 Wekiva Park Drive in Sanford or 379 Malekean Trail in Sanford
Cost: $3 entry fee per vehicle; kayak, canoe and paddleboard rentals range from $30-$50
More info: floridastateparks.org or wekivaoutfitters.com
Rainbow River
Flowing from the first-magnitude Rainbow Springs, the Rainbow River offers paddlers crystal-clear waters and animals from osprey to gopher tortoise to alligators. Use the services of Rainbow River Canoe & Kayak to rent watercraft, or be shuttled upriver or launch from Rainbow Springs State Park, which also offers swimming and tubing seasonally.
Length: 2-3 hours, one-way with shuttle
Launch address: 12121 River View in Dunnellon or 18185 S.W. 94th St. in Dunnellon
Cost: Kayak and canoe rentals cost $35.31-$47.08 (get 10 percent off with a reservation)
More info: rainbowrivercanoeandkayak.com or floridastateparks.org
This story originally appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com.
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