Paddle Florida: 2025-26 kayak trips explore Florida’s top waterways

One of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors during Florida’s long hot summers is to start planning where you’ll go this winter.

For ideas about paddling trips, you can find inspiration from Paddle Florida, whose Florida kayak tours for 2025-26 were announced recently.

Paddle Florida is a non-profit that supports kayaking and canoeing in Florida by organizing reasonably priced multi-day paddling and camping trips on Florida’s greatest rivers and waterways.

Florida kayak tours: Paddle Florida does the research and planning.
Florida kayak tours: Paddle Florida does the research and planning.

The beauty of these Florida kayak tours is that Paddle Florida staff researches the best locations, arranges all the logistics from camping and meals to musical entertainment around the campfire. The group even shuttles your camping gear between campsites each day, allowing you to travel light and always arrive to a dry tent and sleeping bag. Groups are limited to 100 or, in the case of the Suwanee, 200 people.  These trips are a great option for solo paddlers.

Participants bring their own boats and tents or arrange to rent them (for an extra charge) from affiliated outfitters.

As you read the trip descriptions, you’ll see a nice variety: Some of these trips are beginner-level paddles; on some paddleboards are welcome; for some only sit-inside kayaks are allowed.

blackwater river canoe florida state parks with camping
Canoe on a sandbar on the Blackwater River. (Photo by Bonnie Gross)

Florida kayak tours for the 2024-25 season

  • Nov. 3-8, 2025: Santa Fe Springs Celebration. This 48-mile paddle travels one of Florida’s prettiest rivers with dozens of springs, including paddling one of Florida’s most beautiful spring runs, the Ichetucknee, a tributary of the Santa Fe. This trip involves optional cabins.
  • Jan. 12-18, 2026: Florida Keys Challenge. In its second year, this Paddle Florida trip offers a basecamp with cabins and then daytrips to various locations around the Keys.
  • Feb. 16-22, 2026: Rivers Exploration – Blackwater River & Coldwater Creek. These rivers in the Panhandle are known for their tannic water and white sandy beaches with large sandbars.
  • April 10-12, 2026 : Suwannee River Paddling Festival. Paddlers camp atop the bluff overlooking two rivers at Suwannee River State Park near Live Oak.  The weekend will offer supported 8-12 mile paddling options on both the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers, a concert featuring Paddle Florida’s favorite musicians, and educational presentations from regional waterway experts.
Wooden ramp and river
The view from the bluff at the Woods Ferry River Camp along the Suwanee River. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)
  • April 10-15, 2026: Suwannee River Wilderness Trail Some details from Paddle Florida: The trip follows the scenic Suwannee River Wilderness Trail and begins at Madison Blue Spring State Park.  It ends in the town of Branford, after passing many springs ideal for snorkeling and swimming. Here’s a Florida Rambler story on canoe-camping on this Suwanee River Wilderness Trail.
  • April 20-26, 2026: St. Augustine History Paddle. We have always loved the historic sites around St. Augustine, but just as special are the waterways and beaches. Paddling on this trip will including seeing historic sites from the water — the Castillo de San Marcos, the Bridge of Lions, Fort Mose, Fort Matanzas National Monument. Base camp will be at Anastasia State Park, known for its four miles of pristine beach rich in sea and wildlife.

People who’ve taken these Florida kayak tours before talk about the camaraderie, the convenience and the memorable wilderness experiences.

Past Paddle Florida itineraries: If you’re looking for ideas for paddle trips, consider some of their past trips that are not offered this year: Springtime on the Chipola River in the Panhandle, Fall on the Peace plus Fisheating Creek and Mangroves, Manatees & More, which explores the Sebastian River and Indian River Lagoon.

 





2 Comments

  1. We are three old river kayakers from Missouri.
    We often go out for a week or more and can do 25-30 mile day when needed.
    We are looking for a unescorted, kayak/tent camp, muti day trip on the Gulf coast, Keys or possibly Spoils.
    We keep a clean camp site.
    We prefer primitive, pull up and set up tents camping to campgrounds. We are open to suggestions to either.
    We are hoping someone with local experience may have some recommendations.
    We would like to plan for a Jan. Or Feb. trip.
    I would be glad to advise or help anyone wishing to come float Missouri waters.
    We are blessed with great rivers.
    Many thanks!
    Mike
    mikenmarystuhr@gmail.com

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