Kids
and kayaks go together, and kayaking in the Keys will
provide you and your children with the right mix of
adventure, scenery, wildlife, nature and
relaxation.
Kayaks
of the past were made of wood and skin by natives of
Alaska and the Canadian north country. They were
relatively unstable and difficult to maneuver. Today,
kayaks are stable, comfortable and safe for beginners and
kids. They are harder to overturn, and easier to
maneuver, and depending on the age of your children you
can choose from single and double kayaks for your family
excursion. There is nothing like kids
kayaking.
.
Kayak
Tours by Skimmers - MM
47.5
This
guided tour starts out at 9:30 AM and returns to the dock
at 3:30 PM. Prices start at $39. Patrons motor by boat
out to the back county and explore mangrove islands with
their kayaks. There is a break for lunch and then kayaks
explore a second site and do some snorkeling. Tour
includes kayak, life jacket, snorkel pack, instructions,
coolers, drinks, and lunch. 305-743-0771
.
Hawk's
Cay Resort Kayak Tours -
MM
61
305-743-7000
Extension 3543 for reservations
One
of the best ways for you to learn about the Key's
interesting ecosystem is by going sea kayaking. The
resort offers to guests a two hour guided tour at $15
per/single and $25 per /double. The tour starts at the
resort and meanders passed homes of Duck Key on the way
to Tom's Harbor mangrove islands and flats. Kayakers see
and learn about bottom seascape, sea life, sea grass,
fish and crabs, an array of sea creatures, mangroves, and
birds roosting.
A
FUN DAY TRIP.
Leave the touristy sites of the Overseas Highway and
spend a day exploring Big Pine.
Make
reservations with Big Pine Kayak Adventures below. After
kayaking cross the bridge at the Old Wooden Bridge fish
camp and search for Key Deer. Then visit the No Name Pub
for Pizza. The National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine is a
Key Deer haven. Also on Big Pine is the Blue Hole, a
sinkhole with a nature observation platform and a walking
trail. Freshwater fish and turtles as well as alligators
at times reside in Blue Hole. A short walk from the Blue
Hole on Higgs Lane will take you to Watson's Hammock and
Jack Watson's Nature Trail. For additional information go
to Florida
Keys Nature Trails.
During late fall to early spring, the Big Pine Flea
market is a activity available on Saturdays.
.
Big
Pine Kayak Adventures - two
locations in the Big Pine area : (old wooden bridge fish
camp & Parmers Resort). - 305-872-7474. The old
wooden bridge fish camp is located close to the famous No
Name Pub. A great place for the kids for pizza after a
kayaking trip. The kids can try to guess how many
thousands of signed one dollar bills hang from the
ceilings and walls of the No Name Pub.
Big Pine
Kayak Adventures caters to small groups and families.
Operated by Bill Keogh, it is in its tenth year of
operation. Bill has been staff photographer at seacamp
for 15 years. Bill has had the opportunity to work with
kids in this tropical environment teaching as well as
photographing kids in the ocean. Great write-ups in many
media. Along with kayaking we Big Pine Kayak
Adventures has several custom motor boats that allow
for eco-excursions to the refuge and reef areas. Website
http://www.keyskayaktours.com . call with
questions
Bill
Keogh - guide and photographer
Lucrecia
St., Big Pine Key, FL 33043
email: KEOGHKEY@AOL.COM
19th year
as a popular guide and photographer, educator and
backcountry guide in the Lower Keys. phone: 877-LWKAYAK ,
305-872-9860, 305- 872-8950 - Photography published in
National Geographic, The Nature Conservancy, World
Wildlife Fund, The New York Times, and L.A.
Times
He has
two books about the Florida Keys.
A good
source book is The Florida Keys: The Natural Wonders
of an Island Paradise
by Jeff Ripple (Photographer), Bill Keogh
(Photographer)
The
book, The Natural Wonders of an Island
Paradise by Bill Keogh
"The
Florida Keys" addresses the origins, natural
history, and ecological importance of the
Keys in a manner that entertains and educates
... The photographs bring to us in startling
color many images that we may have never
seen." - Irene Hooper, Executive Director,
SeaCamp/Newfound Harbor Marine Institute, Big
Pine Key, Florida
.
Marathon
Kayak Resource at Sombrero Resort-
MM50.5
305-743-0561
Guided
tours of protected waters of Boot Key Harbor and mangrove
channels of Sister's Creek and Whiskey Creek. Half day 3
1/2 hour AM and PM tours at $40 a person. Other
offerings. Rentals for self exploration 4 hours single
$30 and double $40. Full day $50 and $55.
.
Paddler's
Paradise - MM82.51-888-88KAYAK
Daily
tours of all sorts AM, PM, and Evening. Adventure
eco-tour and special kids program. Guided eco-tour
from $29.
.
Florida
Keys Kayaking - MM77.5
next
to Robbies
Offers
a 3 hour Back Country Tour starting at 8 AM for $39 a
person and a 2 hour afternoon tour starting at 3 PM for
$29 pp. They also have a Sunset Tour two hours before
sunset priced at $29 pp. Single and double kayak rentals
at $10 and $15 for an hour. Half day rate $25 for single
and $35 for double 305-664-4878
.
Paddle
Explore at John Pennecamp State Park-
MM102.5 Explore
the Park's mangrove wilderness by canoe or kayak
( $10/single/hr. - $15/double/hr.) along the 2 1/2 miles
of marked trails. Park entrance fee $4 for car and 50
cent per passenger.
.
Long
Key State Recreational Area -
MM67.5
Children
will enjoy paddling and marvel at the tidal lagoon on the
Long Key Lakes Canoeing Trail which takes about an
hour to journey. A self-guided tour brochure describing
the mangroves, ecology and wading and marine life to be
seen along the way is available. For more see Beaches and
Parks Section.
.
Florida
Keys Kayaks and Canoe Tours and Rentals - Scarlet Ibis
Tours
, FLORIDA KEYS NATURE TOURS AND ECO TOURS,
Big
Pine & Cudjoe Keys
and the surrounding Lower
Keys
- http://keys-kayak-canoe-tours.com/
or http://courtesyfloridakeys.com/kayak.htm
- informative and friendly guides! Call or email Captain
Markus - KAYAKTHEKEYS@AOL.COM Phone:
305-872-0032, Canoetours@aol.com or
Ecotours@aol.com EMAIL: canoetours@aol.com
or kayakthekeys@aol.com, Ecotours@aol.com
Kayaks /
Canoe rentals and Self-Guided Tours include rental,
paddles, vests, line. half day - $35 / full - $50 , $5
extra per-person for Map and Bird ID Card, weekly special
- $225, double kayak rentals half day -
$45 / full - $60,
Guided Standard Tours: $45 per person / 3-4 hours
Sea-worthy,
"semi-v"style canoes offer extra room and high and dry
feeling. Kayaks are Ocean Paddle
Experience
the Wildlife and Marine life of the National Marine
Sanctuary, Great White Heron Refuge and National Key Deer
Refuge - Backcountry waters and Oceanside flats, Mangrove
Islandsand some of the most rare and beautiful Marine
Life, Birds & Flora in the U.S.
Try the
"Wayback Tour" on a flats' skiff and the "kayaks aboard".
Travel deep into the pristine areas of the backcountry
known by a few locals and flats fishing guides. A little
bit of everything - birding, nature photography
backcountry beach lunch, kayaking along a mangrove tunnel
, snorkeling, swimming, fishing
.
Reflections
Kayak Nature Tours -
MM28.5
Guided
kayak eco-tours with reservations or self exploration of
the back country. Charts provided for those wishing to
explore on their own. Suggestions provided for exploring
the shallows and mangrove covered islands in search of
tropical and local birds and marine life.
305-872-2896.
.
Florida
Bay Outfitters - Key Largo -
MM104
One
of the largest kayak and canoe operations in Florida,
near John Pennekamp Park, Florida Bay Outfitters offers
guided and self-guided tours throughout all areas of the
Keys, Prices range from $39 PP to $600 plus. Half day
tours and over nighters, trips to the Everglades, John
Pennekamp, Great White Heron Refuge, Lignumvitae Key and
Indian Key, 305-451-3018, http://www.pennekamp.com/fbout/
.
Kayak
Adventures -
601
Front Street, Key
West
- call 305-7444-8335 or toll free 1-888-733-5455,
http://www.floridays.org
Backcountry
kayaking and snorkeling departures twice daily. Limited
to six with kayaks ideally suited for families. Each
kayak takes two adults and a child. The boat , Floridays
Outback , takes you deep into the backcounty of the
National Wildlife Refuge where the kayak tour begins.
Experienced guides lead you on an informative ecological
journey of the Keys mangrove islands. View marine life -
small sharks, sea rays, tropical fish and bird wildlife -
herons, pelicans, ospreys. Adults $59, children
$49
AM and PM
tour, easy paddling single and tandem tours available,
all tours near Key West.
scenic tropical flora and fauna, learn about plants
unique to Keys, wildlife, geology, and ancient people,
nesting and wading birds, 2 1/2 Hour Boca Chica Tour, $35
per person; 3 1/2 to 4 hour, Tour Great White Heron
National Wildlife Refuge; Special Tours, also kayak
rentals for those desiring to do own exploring
.
Adventure
Charters and Tours
- 6810 Front Street, Stock
Island,
305-296-0362
http://www.keywestadventures.com
Offers
several tours of varying length - tours depart Safe
Harbor marina MM 5, US1 to McDonald Ave., then 4th Ave.
to Front Street, all ages welcome 2 1/2 hour $30, half
day $35 and full day - call for price. Full day trip
takes you twelve miles into the heart of the Great
Natural Wildlife Refuge aboard the Island Fanta Sea, a
42' by 25' catamaran. Kayaking the Mud Keys in the
morning, lunch and beverage, then on to the Snipe Keys
for kayaking, snorkeling, bird watching, beach combing or
fishing.
ACTIVITIES
and PLACES
TO VISIT
for CHILDREN
and
FAMILIES
in the FABULOUS
FLORIDA KEYS
To
find out more about Kids' activities and places to see
to make your children's visit to the Keys a rewarding
and worthwhile experience, CLICK on the links in the
navigtion bar to the left or provided below.
