Looking for the best places to launch a kayak in Key West? Look no further! Key West offers many great locations for kayaking, from tranquil lakes and lagoons to stunning beaches and beautiful bays.
From the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico to the mangrove estuaries and coral reefs of the Florida Keys, the area offers plenty of opportunities for kayakers of all levels and interests.
Kayaking in the waters of Key West is a magical experience that no visitor should miss out on!
From crystal clear coves to winding mangrove trails, the scenery and wildlife you can encounter while paddling makes kayaking one of the most popular activities in Key West.
Whether you’re an experienced kayaker or just starting out, finding the best spots to launch your kayak is key.
If you’re looking for a peaceful paddle, a thrilling adventure, or a chance to explore the stunning natural beauty of Key West, there’s something here for everyone.
We’ve compiled a list of the best places to launch a kayak in Key West, so you can make the most of your time on the water!
There are several places to launch your kayak in Key West. These include Fleming Key, Simonton Beach, Curry Hammock State Park, and Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park.
If you want to paddle in a more secluded environment, consider a quiet cove or a remote area. These places are likely to have fewer visitors than other popular sites.
1. Simonton Beach
One of the best places to launch a kayak and paddleboard in Key West is Simonton Beach.
This small beach off the west end of the island has excellent views of the Atlantic Ocean and is a great place to launch a kayak or paddleboard. It also offers restrooms and a boat ramp.
There are several public launch sites throughout Key West for kayaking. Among these are the Key West City Marina, Higgs and Smathers beaches, Simonton Beach, and Dog Beach.
If you are a beginner, consider renting a kayak or paddleboard from a local company. Just remember to check the rules and regulations before you launch your kayak and paddleboard. Also, be mindful of other boats and wildlife.
If you’d rather enjoy the sights of Key West without getting wet, you should take your kayak out into the bay. It’s a beautiful setting and offers plenty of opportunities for exploring the area.
While kayaking or paddleboarding, you can visit the Seven Mile Bridge, which has been featured in a number of Hollywood movies.
This famous bridge is not for the faint-hearted. It’s best suited for experienced kayakers, but be sure to check the conditions before you go out. You should also carefully plan your route.
Key West is a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts. There are beaches, islands, and mangroves that provide an exceptional experience.
You can paddle a kayak or stand-up paddleboard through the water and experience the peaceful beauty of the Keys. If you don’t have your own equipment, you can rent a paddleboard or paddleboard from a company.
If you love exploring the Keys by kayak, you can launch your kayak from Simonton Beach. The park’s paddling trail is only about 90 minutes long and passes through a mangrove ecosystem.
At low tide, kayakers often paddle out to a sandbar. Kite-boarding enthusiasts also flock to the beach for the steady winds. You can purchase a kayak or rent one for $2.50.
The island is home to a number of state parks, including the National Historic Landmark Fort Taylor. This national park is an excellent place to launch a kayak and paddleboard.
2. Fleming Key
There are a number of great places to launch a kayak in Key West, Florida. One of the most popular is the White Street Fishing Pier.
This location offers scenic views and great access to the water. From there, kayakers can paddle east toward Higgs Beach and west toward the Southwestern Edge of Key West.
While the waters in this part of the island are relatively calm, kayakers should still be aware of large vessels. Cruise ships and ferry terminals are located close to the shoreline.
Smathers Beach is another popular place to launch a kayak. This beach is approximately half a mile long and has a wide, sandy beach.
This area is also home to many palm trees. It’s an excellent place for families to enjoy a kayaking adventure in Key West.
Fleming Key is also one of the best places to launch a Kayak in Key West. These parks are open from sunrise to sunset.
Among the most popular tourist spots in Key West is Duval Street, which is lined with souvenir stores, galleries, and bars.
It is also home to the gay community. There are several gay-friendly shops on Duval Street, including The Leather Master and InTouch, and there are also several bars and clubs.
The weather in the Keys is generally pleasant. Temperatures in winter are in the 70s. During spring, temperatures are in the 80s. There is a chance of rain showers in the spring, but they are generally brief and fleeting.
3. Curry Hammock State Park
There are many excellent places to launch a kayak in Key West. You can choose from the wide beaches of Key West or head out into the mangroves.
Curry Hammock State Park is one of these places. The park is surrounded by mangroves, and there are hiking trails and rest areas to take advantage of.
The park also has a campground and picnic shelters. There is little development in the park, so you won’t have to worry about being crowded on the water.
The park has a small sandy area adjacent to a picnic pavilion, where you can launch your kayak. Nearby, there is a ranger station that rents kayaks and bicycles.
You are welcome to bring human-powered watercraft, and some kayakers even swim in the inlet. You can also walk along the shoreline and look for seagrass flats. You may even see a raptor flying overhead.
For those who plan on staying overnight in Key West, you may want to consider staying at Jolly Roger RV Resort. It’s a great place for families and is just a short walk from Curry Hammock State Park.
The campground has full hookups, WiFi, and laundry facilities. Rates are reasonable and the campground offers a large pool and a dog run.
The park also offers a great kayaking trail. Kayakers can paddle to offshore mangrove islands. Several guided tours take visitors through the mangrove forests and shallow flats.
You can also observe wildlife in the mangrove forests. Aside from spotted eagle rays, you might see iguanas and cormorants.
If you don’t want to paddle in the ocean, you can always head to a protected park-like Curry Hammock State Park. This state park protects mangrove swamps, rockland hammocks, and seagrass beds.
The waters surrounding the park are home to thousands of birds and animals. There are numerous protected species, including the American crocodile and the Key Largo woodrat.
Kayakers can also take advantage of the state park’s paved trails.
4. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
The best place to launch a kayak in Key west is Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, a Civil War relic that has the largest collection of Civil War armaments in the United States.
The park also has the best beach in Key West, with clear water, a good snorkeling spot, and a picnic area. It is also the perfect spot to watch the Key West sunset.
Fort Zachary Taylor was built in 1845 and is a National Historic Landmark. It is located on the island of Key West, and shares many similarities with the fort at Fort Jefferson in Virginia. The fort had two levels, and was protected by masonry walls.
It also featured beautiful archways that divided the gun rooms. The fort was built by British and Irish master craftsmen, who had experience building castles and forts made of brick and stone.
Whether you want to kayak, paddle a canoe, or ride a kayak, there are many places to launch a kayak in Key West. Among them is Fort Taylor Historic State Park, on the edge of the city.
A short hike will take you through tall grasses. Eventually, you will reach a paved trail that leads you through the fort’s fence and along the outer walls.
Once completed, the fort was a powerful fortress that was used by the Union Navy during the Civil War. It had 165 guns, but none of them were fired except for training.
The fort was a center of naval operations and headquarters for the U.S. Navy’s East Gulf Coast Blockade Squadron. The fort was designed to keep Confederate supply ships from entering
You can also try snorkeling at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. The park is the southernmost state park in the lower 48 states. Aside from its popular beach, the park has great snorkeling and bird-watching opportunities.
This park also has several activities to offer the whole family, including fort tours. The state park also has a restaurant and a restroom.
When you have finished kayaking, you can stop at the Cayo Hueso Cafe on the grounds of the park. The cafe is open from 10 am to 6 pm. The Cayo Hueso Café offers traditional Cuban cuisine, sandwiches, wraps, and salads.
Kayaking is the perfect way to explore Key West’s unique and stunning landscape. With its crystal-clear waters, breathtaking sunsets, and abundance of wildlife, kayaking in Key West is an experience like no other.
If you’re looking for the best places to launch a kayak in Key West, then look no further!
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned paddler, there are some amazing places to launch your kayak and explore the wonders of Key West.
