Paddle Florida: 2021-22 kayak trips explore Florida’s top waterways

Last updated on August 1st, 2021 at 12:29 pm

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 2021-22 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.

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.

Florida kayak tours for the 2021-22 season

• October 15 – 20, 2021: 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.
• November 3-9, 2021: Treasure Coast Paddling Adventure. This trip on the scenic Indian River Lagoon starts at Fort Pierce Inlet State Park and makes five stops along 50 miles before ending at he St. Sebastian River.
• December 10-12, 2021: Black Creek Paddling Festival: Based at Camp Chowenwaw Park in Jacksonville, campers stay in screened treehouses and paddle 20 miles on Black Creek over two days.
• January 17 – 22, 2022: Ten Thousand Island Paddling Experience. Based in Collier Seminole State Park near Naples, participants will choose from several paddling trips, including freshwater rivers (Turner River) to open-water saltwater trips (to Cape Romano, White Horse Key and Keewaydin Island.)
• February 15-20, 2022: Wild, Wonderful Withlacoochee. Begins at Lake Panasoffkee and follows the river to the Gulf of Mexico. Includes a day paddling Rainbow Springs. Here’s a Florida Rambler report on paddling a section of the Withlacoochee.
• March 18-24, 2022: Springtime on the Chipola This Panhandle trip starts at Florida Caverns State Park. The Chipola River has over 60 freshwater springs, the largest number of any river in Northwest Florida. The Chipola River is a tributary of the Apalachicola River in western Florida.
• April 1-3, 2022 : 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.

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

• Paddle Florida
• Paddle Florida FAQ
• Past trip reviews.