Loxahatchee River Trip - Classic Florida Paddling

If you're looking for a true Florida kayaking/canoeing experience... you must do the Loxahatchee River run. Start in Riverbend Park. Then head down the narrow river, banks full of bald cypress, tropical plants growing on branches and trunks... and keep an eye out for gators, turtles, herons, egrets, and - if you're a fisherman - plenty of fish in the water. It's shaded most the way, so perfect for a hot summer day. (Pic above from Jonathan Dickinson State Park website)

You can do a two-hour there and back trip to a picnic spot at the second dam. Or keep going downriver for a more extensive paddle. You'll eventually hit Jonathan Dickinson State Park, which is more of a mangrove area that eventually hits the ocean. More boat traffic here too.

My kayak

Liz, Owen, and I have an Ocean Kayak Zest Two. We got it used with all the extras - rudder, seats, and cut-outs for storage.



It's the perfect size for bringing a small child. And very stable. It's tough to load on top of the van. But we're getting better each time. And a bit heavy to carry to put in sites... but we're getting one of these two-wheeled carts for that.

I really like the Zest Two, but I'd recommend any Ocean Kayak model - single or tandem. Here's the Malibu Two XL. We almost got this one. But couldn't pass up the used Zest with all the features.

Kayaking in the Keys

So we just got back from a weekend kayaking trip to Key Largo - that's the northernmost Florida Key to those not in the know. Unfortunately, 20-30 knot winds limited our planned offshore excursions. (but not my beer drinking, as you can see at left)

We did hit up the state park on the island, John Pennekamp, for a paddle through the mangroves. Out of the wind, we had a good time. Not as much fish or wildlife as we've seen in similar environments in Sanibel Island on the west coast of Florida. But Liz did notice fire sponges, which our guidebook mentioned as being wickedly painful.

Back at the campsite, Key Largo Kampground and RV Park, we did a bit of fishing and stumbled on some local wildlife: woodpeckers in the tree above the tent, upside down jellyfish in a couple inches of water off the small beach, as well as hermit crabs.

If it wasn't so windy we would have explored the waters right off the campsite. There is a boat ramp and beach that make launching easy.

Bonus tip: On the way south to the Keys, turn left on Card Sound Road after you get through Florida City. This is a much less traveled route to Key Largo, plus you get to stop at Alabama Jack's to get some great crab cakes.

Kayaking Florida

My name is Jason. And I'm a kayaker. I'm privileged to live in Florida, with abundant opportunities for paddling in many different environments from spring-fed rivers, to mangrove islands, to the Everglades, to the ocean, and beyond.

I'll tell you about all my adventures kayaking with my wife, Liz, and our 2 1/2 son, Owen (he loves being on the water). From the Everglades and the Florida Keys to the crystal-clear rivers of Central and North Florida, I'll document it in words and pictures. Hopefully, you'll find a trip you're interested in and make it out yourself.