As you would expect, Key West, Florida, is famous for watersports. So, if boating, jet skiing, and kayaking are on your list of activities during your next vacation, you’re certainly in the right place when you choose this southern Florida location! If you’re seeking information about Key West kayak rentals and the best places for kayaking in Key West, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve got your ultimate guide to kayaking here, so be sure to read up before visiting our Key West vacation rentals!
Best Key West Kayaking Spots
Being surrounded by water, there are plenty of places to go kayaking in Key West. We’ll take a look at some of the best locations.
At the intersection of Whitehead and South Streets, you’ll find the Southernmost Point Buoy, a landmark noting the island is not just the southernmost part of Florida but of the entire United States. Standing at the buoy, you are a mere 90 miles away from Cuba!
Once you take the obligatory photo at the buoy, head around the block to Duval Street Pocket Park to find the launch for kayaks. Once in the water, you can kayak east toward Higgs Beach or in the opposite direction past the buoy marker and along Key West’s southwestern edge.
From Bay Point Park or the boat ramp at Sugarloaf Creek, you can launch your kayak and head to the uninhabited area of the Saddlebunch Keys. These mangrove islands are perfect if you’re interested in observing Key West’s wildlife. You might spot cormorants, herons, cranes, pelicans, and flamingoes; mud turtles, mole skinks, marsh rabbits; and even sea turtles and other marine life.
If exploring uninhabited areas aren’t your cup of tea, you can still launch at Sugarloaf Creek and stay in shallow and typically calm waters to possibly see dolphins and manatees. If birdwatching is a passion, it’s a relatively short paddle from the launch point of Sugarloaf Marina to reach the bird breeding grounds of Great White Heron Wildlife Refuge.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park at the southern edge of Key West is a pre-Civil War era historic site that offers a kayak launch point at the beach. You can easily see the old fort as you paddle along the coast (note the buoys that mark the swimmers’ areas).
Among the most extensive beaches in Key West is Smathers Beach, providing a lot of space on the beach to launch your kayak. You can paddle along the island’s south coast or kayak east to Cow Key Channel to paddle through small mangrove islands. If you’re up for a more extended trip, continue paddling through the Channel, and you’ll wind up traveling underneath A1A and behind houses and Key West waterfront rentals along the shore. You can choose to end your trip at the 11th Street boat ramp.
Key West Kayak Rentals
Unless you’re bringing your vessel, you’ll need to check out some Key West kayak rentals.
Blue Planet Kayak on South Roosevelt Boulevard in Key West offers single and tandem kayaks for rent. These are top-of-the-line models with a cockpit that allows riders to stay drier, provides more back support, and offers more stability than kayaks that are sit-on-top only. You can rent kayaks for one hour or all day. Paddling instruction is included.
Kayaks rented from Blue Planet launch from the company’s Boca Chica tour site, two miles from Key West. Rented kayaks are not delivered to customers for launch from other locations, nor can customers load kayaks and launch from other docks.
Blue Planet also offers various kayak tours in Key West. You can choose a tour that leaves from nearby Boca Chica and takes you through red mangroves and tidal creeks; a sunset and night kayaking tour that leaves one hour before sunset and allows you to watch nocturnal animals with headlamp lighting; or a private kayak tour through surrounding natural habitats such as coral reefs, sandbars, and mangrove islands. All of these tours are 2.5 hours in duration
Finally, you can choose a private wild refuge kayak tour; there’s no specific time limit on this tour; it’s up to you if you wish to stay out for a couple of hours or most of the day. This tour of the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge is for experienced kayakers only; you’ll be able to snorkel (bring your own gear) and even tidal walk in this remote area, most of which is accessible only by kayak.
These kayak tours in Key West are available seven days per week.
But there are even more Key West kayak rentals to choose from. With Lazy Dog, you can launch and return directly to the company on Overseas Highway. Renters get a map of highlighted areas they can paddle during their four-hour trip between Key West and Stock Island, which will take them through mangroves and over seagrass beds. Dogs are welcome!
Kayak Kings offers quality kayaks for rent, including single and tandem with clip-on seats with backs. Leave from Cow Key Marina on Stock Island. Experienced kayakers only; inexperienced kayakers should consider taking a guided tour.
With mangrove creeks just a short paddle away, renting from Sugarloaf Marina is perfect for those who wish to kayak in calm waters and experience marine and wildlife. Finally, Marriott Beachside Kayak Rental lets you rent kayaks for anywhere between one and eight hours. Rentals leave right from the Marriott Beachside Resort on North Roosevelt Boulevard.
When to Kayak
Regarding time, you might choose to go kayaking in Key West early or later in the afternoon, when the sun might not be as intense—applying sunscreen before kayaking is essential no matter what time of day.
If you’re kayaking to look for birds and other wildlife, these are typically best spotted earlier or later in the day. Kayak tours in Key West are usually timed to give you the best chance of seeing wildlife, but if you’re unsure of the best time to kayak based on what you want to see, ask a staff member at your tour company of choice.
Some rentals and tours might not be available until 8 a.m., or later, so it might not be possible to go paddling before that unless you have your own kayak.
Plan Your Key West Vacation!
Ready to see Key West from an entirely new perspective? Book your Key West luxury rental today and enjoy the beautiful sights of Key West from the water!
Your Key West Vacation Rental
If you’re an experienced kayaker with your vessel, you might consider one of our Key West waterfront rentals or Key West rentals with a dock so you can launch and return whenever you wish.
Key West Vacation Homes has two- to five-bedroom luxury and house rentals and even offers Key West pet-friendly homes for rent—essentially something to fit the needs of any family choosing a Key West getaway.
When you select a Key West vacation rental from Key West Vacation Homes, you can expect fully equipped kitchens, free WiFi, an in-home washer/dryer, linens and towels, private outdoor space, and Smart TVs with DVD player.
Based on your selection, you might also enjoy a heated, private pool, BBQ grill, jacuzzi tub, outdoor shower, king-sized bed, and optional housekeeping services. If you want somewhere extra-special to relax in the evenings, our Key West vacation homes with a private pool are exactly what you need. Contact our team today to learn more!
