Kayak adventures abound in our paradise!

An easy day trip from any of our beautiful beach vacation homes, you can venture forth on the mangrove lined bays of the Paradise Coast in your kayak, stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or other small craft. Spring and early summer are simply beautiful along our waterways with plenty of flora and fauna to inspire awe, fish and, if you’re lucky, a manatee or two!

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And no search for really great kayaking or SUP waterways could be adequate without first checking out the 190-mile (total) Great Calusa Blueway and imagine yourself plying this ancient coast just as the mighty Calusa people did hundreds of years ago.

“On the Great Calusa Blueway (you can paddle) the Gulf of Mexico’s open water, through the bays of Sanibel and Captiva, and into sheltered mangrove creeks,” explains the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. “The bird-watching is sublime, with dolphin and manatee sightings common.”

The first section of the Blueway can be found on Estero Bay, our Fort Myers Beach backyard, and is right out the back door of many of our vacation homes. The second section takes paddlers along Pine Island and into Matlacha Pass and the third section goes inland along the Caloosahatchee River and its tributaries. It is, quite simply, a coastal paddler’s paradise.

All kinds of paddlers’ resources, advice, tips and links can be found on the Great Calusa Blueway website and the most recent information can often be found on the Blueway’s own Facebook Page.

Trail maps and GPS coordinates are also available online. And it has its own mobile app.

Fort Myers Beach also has a great sandy oasis for launching your kayak into rougher, more exciting waters. Whatever terrain you select, your kayak adventure is sure to be a wonderful time, and you’re guaranteed to see some amazing wildlife as well!

Our Sun Palace staff is happy to help you arrange whatever kind of kayak, canoe or SUP excursion you would like to take and offer advice from our years of experience.

In the meantime, we offer:

Where to Rent Your Kayak

Before you can start your kayak adventure, you will need to rent a kayak. Kayak Excursions near Fort Myers Beach has full kayak and paddleboard service for everyone from novice to expert. There are some vessels great for a kayak adventure with the family and even motorized kayaks available. Whether you choose to launch into the ocean and play in the Gulf waves or steer down a gentler coastal creek, Kayak Excursions has the boat for the job!

Holiday Water Sports of Fort Myers also has some good rental options for your kayak adventure. Hour and half-hour rentals are ideal for a short and quick trip before a lazy day on the beach. You can launch down the coastline in the calm waters just offshore and try to spot dolphins or starfish in the beautiful blue waters. You can also time it right, and rent out your kayak during sunset. A romantic kayak adventure waits as the golden globe sinks into the crystal waters and the sky melts into a pink and orange haze. Breathtaking!

Kayak Adventure in the Mangroves

There is a network of mangrove estuaries and tunnels, sheltered bays, and creeks along the estuaries. Dolphins and manatees often frolic among the waters, while a variety of wading birds catch fish on the shoreline. The shady oak trees and coastal undergrowth provide a lush atmosphere and some shelter from the bright, summer sun. Start your kayak adventure in the mangroves at one of the several launching points, including the Koreshan State Historic Park on the Estero River, Cayo Costa State Park, and Lovers Key State Park.

Kayak Adventures on the Oceanfront

Why let the parasailers, boaters, jet skiers, and swimmers have all the fun on Fort Myers Beach? Bring your kayak to the beachfront and launch from the sandy shore into the waves. This might not be the best location to begin for the novice, but a moderate to expert paddler can maneuver the crashing waves and make it out to calmer waters and more relaxing, peaceful views. Once beyond the breakers, look out for dolphin, fish, and other sea creatures that might be swimming by your side!

Download our free vacation guide for more attractions and activities in the area.

Photos courtesy of Great Calusa Blueway.