There are few places more ideal for enjoying sunshine and water than Miami, Florida. A city that’s known for it’s miles and miles of white, sandy beaches, Miami also happens to offer a slightly
less well known way to soak up the rays - Paddle boarding and Kayaking!
What began as a niche activity for people dedicated to a life on the water has now become a mainstream activity enjoyed by tens of thousands of both Miami locals and visitors. It’s no surprise that the Sunshine state would offer some of the
best areas to paddle (whether on a paddle board or kayak) in the US. Check out our list below to see the top 5 places you need to paddle when visiting Miami!
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Located just south of Miami, Biscayne National Park is one of three national parks that Florida is home to. It will wow you with it’s pristine waters and vibrant aquatic life. Mangrove shorelines will continually draw you into the lagoon, prompting you to continue exploring the unique waterfront ecosystem. With over 600 different species of fish, manatees, and sea turtles calling Biscayne National Park home, you’re sure to encounter a new friend while on the water.
Most people opt to push in near Virginia Key, Key Biscayne, or down by the Biscayne National Park Institute.
5 miles north of downtown Miami, Morningside offers all you could ask in a water accessible park. Morningside lies on the western shore of Biscayne Bay, making it a natural launch spot for those looking to explore the north side of the bay between Miami and Miami Beach.
From tennis and basketball courts, to summer camps for children, and sailing lessons to boot, Morningside will give you and your group plenty to choose from as you look to engage with the waterways and parks of Miami. With plenty of places to explore nearby, including a small canal to Sabal Lake, Morningside present a great opportunity to get your feet wet during the warmer temps of a Miami afternoon.
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Historic Virginia Key is a hidden gem for those looking to spend an afternoon out on the water. While most visit the Key for the spectacular views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Miami alike, most don’t know the racial charged history of this once segregated island.
Virginia Key operated as a refuge of African American families looking to engage in beach going from the 1940s to the 1960s, as segregation didn’t allow them to spend leisure time at white-only beaches. Despite being dangerous and often filled with densely rocky areas, the African American population used this island, which could only be reached by boat, as a place to build outdoor community; There simply wasn’t any other water access available to them.
In the 1960’s, as segregation was legally ceased in Florida, Virginia Key Beach saw a sharp decline in attendance, mainly due to African Americans families electing to swim in the newly integrated beaches and pools throughout Miami-Dade County. This lead to Virginia Key Beach Park’s eventual close in 1982, as the maintenance and upkeep outweighed the public benefit.
Virginia Key Beach Park was re-opened in the late 2000’s and quickly added to the National Register of Historic Places for it’s importance in shaping the outdoor ecosystem of Miami and it’s African American citizens throughout the central decades of the 20th century.
Virginia Key’s beaches will always serve as a reminder of a place embraced by a population who wasn’t.
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It’s impossible to talk about paddling locations in Miami and not mention Oleta River State Park. At 35 minutes north of downtown Miami, this isn’t the closest park you’ll find to operate your paddle-craft through, but it just may be the most visually rewarding.
With water entrances to both the northwest and east, there are a variety of ways to access the Oleta River and it’s 1000 acres of natural splendor. The miles of mangrove forests that surround the Oleta River banks will enrapture you as you serenely paddle along. Perfect for both Kayaking and Paddle boarding, the Oleta River’s current does little more than allow you to work as hard or as easily as you want to float the waterways.
In addition, the park boasts miles and miles of *mountain bike trails for those looking to engage in a faster pace of outdoor recreation.
There is a fantastic Tandem Kayak listing on Quiptu that provides water access to the park - check it out!
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World famous for a reason, Everglades National Park is one of the premier paddling destinations in the world. With some of the most diverse biosphere available on planet earth, this park with open your eyes to just how magical the waters can be.
Known for it’s mangroves, sawgrass prairies, and of course, reptilian wildlife, the hundreds of miles that are accessible by kayak and paddle board will have you in a constant state of amazement.
Fun Facts about the Everglades:
It’s the 3rd largest national park in the lower 48.
It receives over 60 inches of rain PER YEAR - making it both one of the rainiest regions of the US, and one of the most biodiverse.
There are an estimated 200,000 alligators in Everglades National Park
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While each of the parks above is spectacular in their own regard, we wanted to share a smaller paddling area that locals to the Miami/Ft Lauderdale area love: George English Park!
Located in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, this park is located perfectly for access to the intricate canal system that Ft. Lauderdale boasts. This urban park has a mixture of recreation activities, from walking paths, to tennis courts, but most importantly, a boat ramp perfect for dropping in your Kayak!
Quiptu has started a partnership with a fantastic outfitter in Ft. Lauderdale, Blue Moon Outdoor Adventures, who can provide all the gear you need to spend a few hours, or full day exploring Ft. Lauderdale by waterway! Check out their listings and say hey to Lauren for us 🙂