10+ Awesome Spots to Go Kayaking with the Kids in Tampa Bay
One of the best things about living in the Sunshine State is the beautiful weather year-round! With so many water access points across the Tampa area, there are tons of places to go kayaking near you, whether you choose to book a guided tour or rent from a local kayak rental company.
Kayaking in Tampa Bay, Clearwater and St. Pete offers a unique way to get out on the water and spend some quality time with loved ones. You’ll definitely want to set aside time to venture out into the waters at these awesome ‘yakkin’ locations! We’ve rounded up our top picks for where to go kayaking in Tampa Bay below. And our partners at Orlando Date Night Guide have great tips for kid-free romantic kayak date adventures in the Orlando area, too!
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Shell Key Preserve
Manatees, dolphins, starfish and birds, oh my! Multiple kayak tour companies, including Coastal Kayak Charters, offer guided kayaking tours exploring the serene Shell Key Preserve near Tampa Bay and St. Pete. Depending on the tide, you may be able to paddle through mangrove tunnels. If you’re lucky, you may have a dolphin swim near your kayak, a once in a lifetime experience (and so romantic!). The cost for this tour is $49/person.
Tampa Bay & St Pete Kayaking
Want to kayak with the scenic Tampa skyline as your backdrop? Urban Kai is best known for stand up paddle (SUP) board rentals, but kayaking and starboard starship rentals are also available. What makes Urban Kai kayaking unique is they offer kayak rentals at their Tampa and St. Pete locations as well as the option to bring kayak equipment to a designated location for you for a delivery fee. Rentals are $35-$75 and range from one, two, or three hours, or all-day rentals.
Other options for kayaking the downtown waterways include Tampa Bay SUP ($45 for two hours; tandem kayak) and WhatSUP Paddle Sports ($55 for two hours; tandem kayak). Single kayaks range from $25-$65.
Weeki Wachee River
Kayaking on the Weeki Wachee River is a magical experience every kid and family should experience at least once in their lifetime. As your kayak floats on top of the turquoise clear water of the spring fed river, you’ll feel transported into another world, far from the concrete jungle hustle of city life. The air is fresh and the water is crisp at a steady 72 degrees.
A morning kayaking adventure on the Weeki Wachee River is an experience kids will love, especially if they are big enough to paddle themselves. They’ll feel as if they’re in control of the kayak–even though you’re in back navigating.
You can rent a kayak at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. 1.5 hour long rentals for single kayaks or paddle boards start at $32 plus taxes and fees. Tandem kayaks start at $48 plus taxes and fees.
Another option, which we did, is to rent and launch from the Kayak Shack in Spring Hill. It’s is right across from Rogers Park, a couple of miles down river from the headsprings of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.
[Pssst: Wanna get away from the kids for a romantic kayaking trip with your significant other?]
Little Manatee River Kayak Tour
Located 30 minutes from downtown Tampa, Canoe Outpost – Little Manatee River offers multiple kayaking adventures at various levels of difficulty. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned kayaker, you’ll enjoy paddling out and back or embarking on a longer journey with a return trip by shuttle bus. For something out of the ordinary, join one of the monthly moonlight kayak paddle tours which includes a stop for snacks and music around a campfire (yes, there are s’mores!). Reservations for kayak rentals are recommended, but not required. Tandem kayak rental rates depend on the specific self-guided trip you choose but are all between $49-$59.
Honeymoon Island/Caladesi Island
Boasting natural beaches, stunning sunsets, top-notch shelling and more, Honeymoon island State Park is an unspoiled paradise just minutes from hip downtown Dunedin. Cross the Dunedin Causeway, pay the $8 park entry fee and access is yours. While lazing on the beach and exploring the hiking trails are popular park activities, kayak rentals are also available at the park concession, or you can bring your own kayak. Alternatively, you can rent a tandem kayak outside the park from Sail Honeymoon, setting your sights on scenic Caladesi Island for a secluded beach day. Splurge on the full day kayak rental ($75 for a two-person kayak) so you can explore at your leisure.
Lido Key
Lido Key may be a bit of a trek from Tampa, but the drive is worth the reward of paddling through scenic mangrove tunnels. Pack a plastic bag for your phone because you’ll definitely want to snap some photos while exploring. You’ll be laughing as you inevitably bump into branches or accidentally snag your paddle on a stray branch, but you’ll also gain some serious kayaking chops navigating the sometimes tight and twisty tunnels. Rentals are available from several companies, including Sea Life Kayak Adventures. While guided tours are available, the tunnels are surprisingly simple to navigate, and the current will help you along. Beginners up for a bit of adventure can totally tackle this experience. Your kayak rental company should also offer a map to help you get oriented.
Tarpon Springs
For kayakers who want a leisurely trip paired with manatee sightings, a manatee tour kayak trip is the way to go. Guided kayak tours are offered in tandem clear kayaks giving you an unobstructed view of any manatees you’re lucky enough to spot. Once you paddle out to the manatee hangout, you’ll have plenty of time to sit back in your kayak, relax, and wait for the gentle giants to pop up and say hello. When I did this tour, a manatee popped up right in front of my kayak!
Stick around the area after your kayak tour for a visit to the touristy but fun Tarpon Springs. The area is most famous for sponges, and you’ll find them everywhere, along with an abundance of tasty Greek eateries. Tours last about 2.5 hours. Note: this tour is only offered during manatee season in the colder months.
Weedon Island Preserve
Enjoy an adventurous paddle through scenic mangrove tunnels. Ecomersion is located at Weedon Island Preserve and rents out single kayaks, tandem kayaks, stand up paddle boards, and canoes. Rental rates start at $25 for a single kayak and $35 for a tandem. Call ahead to make a reservation.
Longboat Key
South of Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key is a ritzy haven with stunning shorelines and fantastic restaurants. Exploring on the water offers a unique vantage point of both Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, while also inviting you to stop off at a sandbar or peruse mangroves. Happy Paddler Kayak has several rental locations, but I’m partial to Longboat Pass. After boarding your vessel, you can paddle out and around to the sandbar in front of Jewfish Key near Longboat Pass. If you’re feeling adventurous, make your way under the Longboat Pass bridge and out into the gulf for views of AMI and Longboat Key from the clear water. Tandem rentals are $65 for a half day (4 hours).
Fort De Soto
Offering daily tours in Fort De Soto and Shell Key south of St. Pete, See Through Adventures is a glass-bottom kayak experience where you’re almost guaranteed to spot friendly Florida wildlife. Choose from a 1.5 or 2.5-hour toor option and keep your eyes peeled for manatees and dolphins which are commonly seen in the shallow, calm waters. Reservations are required and pricing differs per tour, with a 1.5-hour tour at $69 per person and a 2.5-hour tour at $99 per person. The last rental is at 4 p.m.
Robinson Preserve
Headed to Anna Maria Island for a laid-back beach day? Combine soaking in the sun with a morning kayak trip through the mangroves and calm waters of Robinson Preserve. The iconic Surfer Bus, which you can find parked along Manatee Ave before reaching the island, offers kayak rentals just a short paddle away from the entrance to the preserve. You’ll paddle through several short mangrove tunnels and open water and can paddle all the way to the preserve’s lookout tour which offers scenic views of Anna Maria Island and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
Note: Check the Facebook page for the latest details.
For more outdoor fun, check out Kayaking at Crystal River.
*Story updated in March 2023. Prices subject to change. Check with each company before you head out on your kayaking adventure. Enjoy!