If you think Florida is all beaches and jet skis, think again. We’re taking it inland, through mangrove tunnels, and spring-fed wonders. Grab your board because here’s a list of Florida’s wildest (and weirdest) paddle spots.
Indian Key Historic State Park (Islamorada)
If you’re looking for the best paddle board spot in the Florida Keys launch from Robbie’s Marina and paddle 20–30 minutes across crystal-clear water to a tiny island full of 1800s ruins. Along the way, you’ll glide over coral heads, spot sea turtles, and manta rays.
Largo Sound (Key Largo)
This flatwater stretch is like paddling through liquid glass. You can launch just behind Key Largo Community Park and sneak into shallow lagoons with baitfish, baby sharks, and colorful coral. Local lobstermen call this place “ghost water” quiet, still, and said to hum at night with the spirits of old fishermen. It’s surreal and easy to miss.
Biscayne National Park (Biscayne Bay)
This is Florida’s underwater national park 95% water, 100% epic. Launch from the Dante Fascell Visitor Center and paddle over coral reefs, shipwrecks, and eerie sponge flats. If you catch a calm day, glassy water reveals everything below.
Curry Hammock State Park (Marathon)
Launch straight into the Atlantic or through the park’s tight mangrove tunnel loop. You’ll feel like you’re paddling inside a tropical snow globe, rays glide below you and you might spot a sea turtle if you’re lucky. This is one of the best-kept paddle secrets in the Keys. Bring your snorkel and a waterproof speaker.
Chapman Field Park (South Miami)
a hidden gem nestled just south of Miami, offering a surprising slice of wilderness wrapped in mangroves, canals, and lakes. A good mix of city and water, a true hidden gem in the residential area of South Miami.
Virginia Key (Key Biscayne)
Just minutes from downtown but it feels like you’ve paddled into another world. Launch from Virginia Key Outdoor Center and explore calm lagoon waters, hidden mangrove tunnels, and the open bay with skyline views. Manatees and dolphins show up often, especially in winter. Bonus: local lore says a sea monster once haunted these shores now, it’s just paddle boarders and pelicans.
Oleta River (North Miami)
Paddle through a maze of mangroves while skyscrapers peek through the trees. Word is, there’s a buried plane out there from the cartel-running days. This park also features an incredible mountain biking track in case you are a multi-sport type of person.
Everglades Wilderness Waterway (South Florida)
A 99-mile canoe trail through a literal swamp jungle. Mangroves, sawgrass, and yes alligators. Legend says there's a ghostly light that follows paddlers at night, old fishermen call it the "Lantern Man." It’s remote, wild, and unforgettable.
Loxahatchee River (Jupiter)
One of Florida’s only "Wild and Scenic" rivers. Expect twisting cypress canopies and deep blackwater. Locals say you can hear Seminole war cries if you paddle at dusk.
Whiskey Creek (John U. Lloyd State Park – Dania Beach)
This one's a hidden urban gem. Calm, clear water with manatees in winter. The creek is named after rum-runners who used it during Prohibition.
Ichetucknee Springs (Fort White)
The clearest water you’ll ever float on. A lazy river you can float down with your friends, Paddle boarding is encouraged but for a more relaxed feel rent a floatie and vibe down the river.
Paynes Creek Historic State Park (Bowling Green)
Sits along a quiet stretch of the Peace River, where blackwater creeks wind through cypress swamps and history echoes in the trees. Paddle past the site of an 1849 army fort and a once-bustling trading post attacked during the Seminole Wars. It’s peaceful, wild, and perfect for a slow, reflective ride through Florida’s frontier past.
Wekiva River (Apopka)
Glass-bottom serenity meets wildlife highway. Gators cruise past you like slow subs. Paddle quietly and you might see otters and deer onshore.
Silver Springs (Ocala)
Glass-bottom boats were invented here. Think: monkeys, manatees, and a crystal-clear jungle river. Oh yeah and Tarzan was filmed here!
Santa Fe River (High Springs)
This river disappears underground at one point and pops back up miles later. It's quiet, shaded, and totally surreal. Paddle through river caves if the water’s low.
Suwannee River (North Florida)
Made famous by the song, this one’s wild, winding, and steeped in Southern folklore. Cliff jumps, sinkholes, and dense forests line the way. This place is a beautiful campground as well and they host amazing music festivals too! Really has it all.
Coldwater Creek (Northwest Florida)
A fast, sandy-bottom stream perfect for a summer paddle. Crystal clear and chilly. Known locally as the "Canoe Capital of the Panhandle." Bring your cooler and your balance.
Wherever your paddle takes you, make sure you’re geared up for the ride. From boards to paddles, dry bags to sun gear, we’ve got everything you need to explore with confidence. Stop by Adventure Sports USA and get the best setup for your next session.
