Last Updated on March 31, 2024

Located along the southern shores of Florida on the Atlantic Coast, Miami has long been a beloved destination for tourists and travelers.

Getting out and exploring the beautiful teal waters is a great activity for your visit.  One of the best ways to do so is by checking out these kayak tours and rentals in Miami.

Glide across crystal-clear waters surrounded by towering mangroves, or enjoy views of the Miami skyline. 

Either way, you’ll get to see this fantastic Florida city from a whole new perspective.

Even beginners are able to easily pick up on kayaking and enjoy the great views from the water.

Here are the 5 best highly rated kayaking tours in Miami to check out during your visit.

 

Don’t Have Time To Read The Full Article? Book The Kayak And Paddleboarding Miami Wildlife Tour  with a 5⭐️rating

Want a great way to get on the water on a 70′ yacht for a half-day adventure? Do you want to head out on the coast of Miami for a private jet ski? Looking for the best kayak rental in Miami?

These are just some of the best tours and things that you can do in the magic city of Miami for your first time.

Below are the top 5 of the best kayaking tours and rental places in the city that you need to check out!

 

 

5 Best Kayak Rental Tours In Miami

 

aerial view of tourists in a Miami Island tour

Photo Credit- Tropical Sailing

Tour Rating: 5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️    Length: 3 Hours      Check Rates Here

This versatile tour allows you to spend half a day out on the water off the coast of Miami on Flagler Memorial Island.

Cruise through the blue Florida waters and enjoy the views and natural beauty of Miami and its surrounding islands, including Star Island, a man-made island that is home to many celebrities.

The friendly guides will make this amazing experience one to remember and will give you some local insight into the area around you.

Once you’ve arrived on the island, enjoy using any of the water toys provided by the tour operators. 

Float around the shallow waters in either a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and leisurely explore the island.  Or have some fun on the giant water trampoline and floating mat, which are also both available to you all day.

Bring along your own snacks and drinks and enjoy them as you relax on the beach, soaking in that warm southern sun.

The entire experience, from the boat ride to spending a great time on the island, will add a fun spin to your Florida vacation.

Here’s what a past guest said about this tour:

We had a wonderful time. The crew was amazing and friendly. Loved the boat ride, Kayaking and swimming in the ocean by the island. The island was beautiful. Highly recommended!! Everyone with us enjoyed a lot.

 

Tajdar_K  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

✅ What’s Included In This Tour:

  • Kayaks and paddleboards
  • Life jackets
  • Boat ride to Flagler Memorial Island
  • Time for recreation on the island

 

 

Photo Credit- Get Up And Go Kayaking – Miami

Tour Rating: 5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️    Length: 2.5 Hours      Check Rates Here

Experience some of Florida’s most beautiful mangrove tunnels as you kayak through them on this approximately 3-hour Miami kayaking tour.

Departing from East Greynolds Park in North Miami, this unique clear kayak tour differs from those that send you out into the ocean for your kayaking adventure.

Glide through the clear waters with towering mangroves above you, and escape from some of the crowds found on busy Miami beaches.

Since the kayaks are clear, you will have the opportunity to peer underneath you into the beautiful underwater world. 

Keep an eye out for tropical fish that may be swimming as you glide through the open water for the best experience!

Enjoy a tandem kayak, so you’ll get to experience the entire trip with your loved one or friend that you booked the tour with.

Watch for coastal birds and other wildlife in their natural habitat along the shores of the water as you kayak amongst the mangroves. 

Be sure to take advantage of the stopping points to snap a few photos of the beautiful mangroves and Florida coastline.

Here’s what a past guest said about this tour:

Beautiful mangrove tour! So many birds!! Tour guide was awesome! The clear kayaks were difficult to steer and not much is visible through the brackish water, definitely do a normal kayak if you have the option. Probably better at high tide for navigability. Overall, worth going! Small group size and a less populated tour.

Alexandra_L  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

✅ What’s Included In This Tour:

  • Kayak equipment
  • Single kayak
  • Life jacket
  • Dry bags for personal belongings
  • Stops for photo opportunities

 

 

 

2 kayaks with tourists in the mangrove and waters of Miami Florida

Photo Credit- Gray Line Miami

Tour Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️    Length: 2 Days      Check Rates Here

This unique guided tour is quite different than many of the other kayak tours in Miami, as it’s a multi-day trip, featuring multiple different excursions.

Start your adventure with a 4-hour bus ride from Miami to Key West and enjoy the views outside your window of the ocean and the several Florida Keys that you’ll pass.

After you’ve arrived, you’ll have the entire rest of the day to explore Key West on your own time.

Spend the night at a hotel of your choosing, and get ready for a full-day adventures tomorrow!

Your second day will start nice and early as you head out for two different adventures. 

The captains of the boat will lead you to a fantastic and popular spot for snorkeling, where you’ll get to snorkel among the reefs and search for marine life. 

Secondly, head into the serene mangrove forests in Key West National Wildlife Refuge where you’ll get to kayak through the mangroves and enjoy the views. 

You’ll even get to enjoy a lunch buffet between your two awesome adventures.

Enjoy some more time taking in all of the views on the way back to shore, before taking the bus ride back to the Miami area.

 

✅ What’s Included In This Tour:

  • Transportation to and from Miami
  • Breakfast and lunch
  • Snorkeling equipment
  • Kayaks

 

 

a woman in a paddle board with a manatee in the clear waters of Miami Florida

Photo Credit- So Flo Water Adventures

Tour Rating: 4.5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️    Length: 2 Hours      Check Rates Here

If you’re a nature lover, this kayaking tour in the Miami area will be the perfect choice for you.

Choose between using either a kayak or stand-up paddleboard or a combination of kayak and paddleboard and head into the lush mangrove forest in search of wildlife.

Before embarking on the tour, you’ll get a quick overview of the basics of kayaking from your guides, so even beginners can participate in this tour.

Glide through the water as you keep an eye out for marine life such as manatees, fish, or possibly dolphins.  You might even get to spot raccoons or iguanas on the shore during your tour.

You’ll spend a few hours exploring the beautifully clear waters in your kayak before heading to a small island to spend some time relaxing.

Relax on the sand, go for a quick swim, or just enjoy the fresh fruit platter and provided drinks, including beer and hard seltzers.

You’ll then hop back in the kayaks and head back to shore to end the tour.

Here’s what a past guest said about this tour:

We loved the kayak adventure and being able to see and feed the raccoons on the island was awesome!!. Keegan Rick and Aaron were so welcoming and kind and were great tour guides . They had good energy and made the experience fun and entertaining.

Kim_R  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

✅ What’s Included In This Tour:

  • Stand-up paddle boards and kayaks
  • Life jackets and safety gear
  • Time on a small island
  • Alcoholic beverages and bottled water

 

 

man standing in a paddleboard with fellow tourists in the clear waters during a guided kayak tour

Photo Credit- Salty Soul Adventures

Tour Rating: 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️    Length: 2-3 Hours      Check Rates Here

If you’re looking for some special time with just your group of friends or family, then this private kayaking tour in Miami is perfect for you.

Book this tour for up to 10 people, and your knowledgeable guide will take you out into the calm water to all of the best places for around 3 hours.

It allows you to escape the crowds that you might see on other tours!

Head out into Biscayne Bay and enjoy getting to know the area, which is filled with hidden gem beaches and sandbars.

With a local guide, you’ll be brought to some of the best places around for spotting wildlife and seeing beautiful views.

Watch for endangered manatee, fish, and other marine life in the water as you glide along in Biscayne Bay’s aquatic preserves.

Enjoy either a kayak or stand-up paddleboard, whichever you prefer. 

Because of the private nature of this tour, it can be more personalized to your group and the guide is able to help you create a memorable time for everyone.

Here is what a past guest said about this tour:

We spent a long weekend in Miami and by far this was the best excursion we had! Arianna’ knowledge about Biscayne Bay and its inhabitants was so fascinating! We learned so much. She guided us to beautiful sites and we even saw a manatee! She also pointed out a hammer head shark, pelicans, an iguana and an upside down jelly fish. She took breathtaking pictures of us that we will cherish forever! Highly recommend!

Deana_M  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

✅ What’s Included In This Tour:

  • Kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals
  • Life jackets
  • Bottled water
  • Dry bag for belongings
  • Digital photos of your group

 

 

If you have your own kayak and are hoping to launch it in Miami, head to Oleta River State Park, Crandon Park in Key Biscayne, or Hobie Beach. Each of these places offers kayak rentals near the beach. So if you don’t have your own, check out the kayak rentals near Miami.

What Should I Bring On A Miami Kayak Tour?

All of the tours on this list will provide almost everything you need for kayaking, but there are a few additional things to pack.

Always remember your sunscreen to help protect your skin from the hot Florida sun.

On top of the sunscreen, you’ll also want sunglasses and a sun hat to keep the sun out of your face.  Lastly, bring a water bottle to keep yourself hydrated throughout the tour.

Here are more essentials for your trip!

 

Never hit the water without your sunscreen.  You’ll want at least SPF 30 to protect from the Florida sun.

 

Sun Bum Sun Screen 

 

If you’re planning a boat cruise, quick drying beach towels are an essential item to pack.  Unlike regular towels, quick drying beach towels are made from materials that dry quickly, meaning you won’t have to worry about them getting wet and heavy as the day goes on.

 

 Quick Drying Beach Towel

 

Bring back memories from your underwater adventure with this waterproof camera!

Waterproof Camera

 

Keep your phone dry and take beautiful pictures under water with a waterproof phone case. 

Waterproof Phone Case 

 

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Booking a last-minute trip to Miami?  

If so, we have you covered.  Here are some top recommended hotels and accommodations!

Top Hotels & Accommodations in Miami

Trump National Doral Golf Resort – (Perfect For Relaxation & Golf Lovers!)

Four Seasons Hotel Miami – (A Tropical Paradise In Miami)

Mandarin Oriental Miami – (With Stunning Views Of Biscayne Bay)

EAST Miami – (Top Location & Highly Rated)

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