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The 10 best fort lauderdale kayaking spots, from the ocean to canals.
F ort Lauderdale has been dubbed the “Venice of the Americas,” and not just because tourists flock here for half the year and the pizza’s pretty good. It’s because Fort Lauderdale has over 165 miles of canals, running past stately Mediterranean revival mansions and some of the biggest yachts in the world. That makes the city ripe for exploring via kayak, whether you’re perusing the canals, the Intracoastal Waterway, or the Atlantic Ocean. Find the right spots, and you can also escape into mangrove tunnels full of native birds. Even if you don’t have a kayak, the city has no shortage of places that’ll rent you one right onsite, making kayaking Fort Lauderdale a breeze.
We hope you love the kayaking Fort Lauderdale experience we recommend. Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book.
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Dr. Von D. Mizell — Eula Johnson State Park
![kayak tours fort lauderdale Couple on Whiskey Creek kayaking fort lauderdale](https://cdn1.matadornetwork.com/blogs/1/2022/09/kayaking-fort-lauderdale-dr.jpg)
Photo: Matt Tilghman /Shutterstock
This is the last undisturbed stretch of coastal wetland in the county. It is located just east of the Fort Lauderdale Airport and Port Everglades. The best place for kayaking is shallow Whiskey Creek, a channel lined with mangroves that run through most of the park and out into the Stranahan River. It also passes by the Whiskey Creek Hideout , a breezy outdoor bar and café where you can reward yourself with a cold beer once you’re paddling is through. Rentals are available inside the park.
New River — Cooley’s Landing
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Photo: Visit Lauderdale
Plenty of motorized boat tours will take you through the glamorous islands near downtown Fort Lauderdale. But if you’d like to paddle it yourself, jump in just across from the Broward Center for Performing Arts at Cooley’s Landing. As urban kayaking goes, the city has some of the best in the US. From launching, you’ll travel down the New River, through the bustling shops and restaurants of Las Olas Boulevard, and out into Las Olas Isles.
On the way back, you may face some current, but you’ll be treated to a magnificent view of the Fort Lauderdale skyline and the bridges over the river. Just be prepared, this route is also popular among pleasure boaters who aren’t always paying close attention, so paddle with caution. If Cooley’s Landing is too busy, you can also put your kayak in at Riverland Wood Park, Lewis Landing, and Coontie Hatchee Landing, all of which are within a couple of miles.
Tarpon River
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Photo: Kristi Blokhin /Shutterstock
Another route you can take from Cooley’s Landing brings you south and west down the Tarpon River. This smaller, far calmer channel runs through residential areas south of downtown, much of it shaded in tropical foliage. It feels a bit like a trip down the Amazon — albeit with million dollar boats and five-bedroom houses — and ends at a swinging bridge into the Sailboat Bend neighborhood. Find a spot to tie up and stop for a beer at Riverside Market , an old convenience store-turned-craft-beer-bar, where you’ll find an incredible selection of beers.
Victoria Park and Anne Beck Park
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Photo: Rolando Otero /Shutterstock
If you’ve got your own kayak and a way to transport it, take it to either Victoria Park or Anne Beck Park — in the Victoria Park neighborhood. Both give you instant access to the canals around Nurmi Isles and Sunrise Key and will bring you out to the Intracoastal if you’re up for braving those busy waters. Along the way you’ll see everything from celebrity mansions to eight-figure mega-yachts, a calming way to observe the tropical lives of the rich and famous.
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
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For beginning kayakers — especially those staying in Fort Lauderdale Beach — the best spot in Broward County is at this park just north of Sunrise Boulevard on A1A. The lush wilderness offers kayak rentals through its calm waters to Long Lake, and also provides easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway if you’re looking for something a little more challenging. For those who want to give back during their vacation, Friends of Hugh Taylor Birch offers regular clean-ups, where you’ll help clear trash from Long Lake as you paddle along.
Middle River
![kayak tours fort lauderdale Middle river a great spot for kayaking fort lauderdale](https://cdn1.matadornetwork.com/blogs/1/2022/09/kayaking-fort-lauderdale-middle-river.jpg)
Photo: Harry Powell /Shutterstock
Fort Lauderdale’s suburb of Wilton Manors is surrounded by water, and you can kayak the entire seven-mile circle along the New River. The easiest place to begin and end your journey is the Colohatchee Park Boat Ramp, and while the scenery isn’t exactly time-traveling to Old Florida (the bulk of your views will be of people’s backyards and swimming pools) locals are friendly, greeting you with a wave and if you’re lucky, a cold beer. The route is lightly trafficked by other kayakers and paddleboards so that you won’t be contending with an armada of speedboats like you might in other parts of Fort Lauderdale.
Loggerhead Park
![kayak tours fort lauderdale West Lake a great spot for kayaking fort lauderdale](https://cdn1.matadornetwork.com/blogs/1/2022/09/kayaking-fort-lauderdale-Loggerhead.jpg)
Photo: cindylindowphotography /Shutterstock
Ocean kayaking can be much easier in the calm Atlantic waters off South Florida than in, say, the Pacific Ocean. And though the turquoise waters are inviting, always remember kayaking in these currents is a different skill set than what you’ll find inland. That said if you catch a quiet day and want to get out on the ocean, bring your kayak to Loggerhead Park. Though it’s mostly known for shore dives, it also has easy access for kayaks and about a dozen parking spaces.
West Lake Park
![kayak tours fort lauderdale Man kayaking Fort Lauderdale on West Lake](https://cdn1.matadornetwork.com/blogs/1/2022/09/kayaking-fort-lauderdale-West-Lake.jpg)
Photo: Maridav /Shutterstock
A little south of the canals and yachts of Fort Lauderdale, you’ll find an odd slice of natural Florida in the middle of Hollywood’s sea of subdivisions. This is West Lake Park, saved in the 1970s from rampant development. Today, you can rent a kayak and paddle through one of three well-marked mangrove trails, which take you under spidery canopies and out to the expansive lake. Marked Red, White, and Blue, the trails all feel far removed from the surrounding city, totaling about three miles of untamed wilderness. Two miles into your paddle, you’ll have the option of parking your kayak and exploring the boardwalks around the Anne Kolb Nature Center. Along the way, you’ll see herons, ibis, and even raccoons in their rare natural habitat.
Pond Apple Slough
![kayak tours fort lauderdale Pond Apple a great place for kayaking fort lauderdale](https://cdn1.matadornetwork.com/blogs/1/2022/09/kayaking-fort-lauderdale-Pond-Apple.jpg)
Photo: Francisco Blanco /Shutterstock
Another far-flung swath of old Florida nature sits just south of Interstate 595 at Pond Apple Slough. While you can’t really access the slough by land, you can start at the Bill Keith Preserve near Davie Boulevard and head away from the ocean. You’ll pass through a sea of over-the-top yachts as you paddle around Marina Mile, a sight that’s both impressive and quintessentially Fort Lauderdale. Continue upriver until you pass the Secret Woods Nature Center, then turn left under 595 at the Bradford Marine Boat Yard.
Once you’ve cleared the expressway, it’ll seem as if you were magically transported to a 19th-century Florida mangrove forest, where pristine wetland, birds, and lush vegetation provide an instant oasis. It’s not a quick trip, but certainly, the road — or canal — is less traveled, so like many places that take a lot of work to reach, you’ll rarely share it with others.
Glow Night Kayak
![kayak tours fort lauderdale Glow in the night kayaks for kayaking fort lauderdale](https://cdn1.matadornetwork.com/blogs/1/2022/09/kayaking-fort-lauderdale-glow.jpg)
Photo: Airbnb
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NO WALK-IN RESERVATIONS - ALL RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE ONLINE.
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FULL MOON KAYAK NIGHT TOUR
Quick Details
- Users Ages: Ages 7+
- Clock Duration: 2 hours
- Map Marker Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Dollar Currency: US Dollars
- User Tour Guide: Yes
Enjoy a Nighttime Kayak Tour in Fort Lauderdale!
Paddle under the glowing sunset and the rising moon. Perfect for all ages and skill level. This trip will have you “oohing and aahing” with the cool breeze and sounds of water splashing against your kayak as you paddle. That’s outdoor livin’ – South Florida style.
- Distance: 2.5 to 3 miles
- Experience Level: Easy to Moderate
Tour Highlights
- Professional Tour Guide
- All Kayak Gear
Tour Details
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📍Departure Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL. Advance reservations are REQUIRED.
⏰ Departure Times: 8:00 PM
✅ Inclusions:
❌ Exclusions:
- Gratuity (optional)
🛶 What to Bring:
- Weather in South Florida may change quickly. To prepare, we suggest guests bring a change of clothes for afterward. Wear shoes and shorts you don’t mind getting wet. Wearing a hat and sunglasses are highly suggested.
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- Confirmation will be received at time of booking.
- Check-in is 30-minutes prior to your reservation time.
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Why Wannado Tours Is The Right Choice
Wannado Tours has earned its reputation as a premier choice for travelers when planning a Fort Lauderdale vacation. Wannado Tours not only focuses on offering the best tours in Fort Lauderdale, but we also strive to make each and every traveler experience South Florida in a memorable way ❤️
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Reach out to us at 📱 786-785-1700 , or email us at ✉️ [email protected] . One of our agents will gladly help you make a reservation, and will answer any questions about our tours and water sports.
Our office is open everyday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST.
RELATED TOURS
- Clock 1 hour
- Users All ages
Fort Lauderdale Sightseeing Tour
Fort Lauderdale’s best mode of transportation takes you on a one-hour family-friendly tour aboard the legendary party bike!
- Clock 2 hours
- Users Ages 7+
Kayak Sunset Tour of the Seven Isles
Kayak through Fort Lauderdale’s Venetian Isles! This is rated as an easy leisure paddle while soaking up the sunshine.
Sunset Kayak Tour
Take in the southernmost sunset from the unobstructed views of the water. Our tour guides will take photos of you and your loved ones kayaking among the vast Keys marine life.
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Top Fort Lauderdale Kayaking & Canoeing Activities: See reviews and photos of kayaking & canoeing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Tripadvisor.
The best Kayaking Tours in Fort Lauderdale according to Viator travelers are: Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Eco Tour; Seven Isles of Fort Lauderdale Kayak Tour; Fort Lauderdale’s Tropical Kayak Tour and Island Adventure; Island City ECO Paddle and Lesson to 9.3 Acre Nature Preserve; Florida Keys Eco, Paddle, and Snorkel Tour
Kayak, Paddleboard & Jet Ski Tours. Tour the waterways of Fort Lauderdale, the Venice of America. We offer daytime, sunset, and evening tours daily. Reservations are required for all tours.
Plenty of motorized boat tours will take you through the glamorous islands near downtown Fort Lauderdale. But if you’d like to paddle it yourself, jump in just across from the Broward Center for Performing Arts at Cooley’s Landing. As urban kayaking goes, the city has some of the best in the US.
Quick Details. Ages: Ages 7+. Duration: 2 hours. Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL. Currency: US Dollars. Tour Guide: Yes. Enjoy a Nighttime Kayak Tour in Fort Lauderdale! Paddle under the glowing sunset and the rising moon. Perfect for all ages and skill level.
Discover Fort Lauderdale’s Venetian Isles on this guided kayaking tour. See the many sides of the city—from mansions and mega yachts to marine and bird life such as mangroves, sea grapes and possibly manatees. Plus, uncover hidden secrets as you paddle with the help of your guide.