There are so many ways to take in St. Augustine’s natural landscape! You may choose to take a thrilling airboat ride or maybe visit St. John’s County Fishing Pier to see what you can reel in. Another great option for immersing yourself in Florida’s wildlife is taking a kayak out on the waterways.
Kayaking is certainly one of the best things to do in St. Augustine if you’re wanting to appreciate the natural beauty of the area. The sights and sounds of the marshes and waterways provide guests with an unparalleled experience of Florida’s complex ecosystems.
Here are some of the best kayak rentals and kayak tours of St. Augustine you won’t want to miss on your next vacation.
Kayaking St. Augustine
Kayaking St. Augustine offers both kayak rentals and guided tours. They pride themselves on providing comfortable, stable, and clean kayaks and paddleboards to ensure you have the best possible experience on the water. At Kayaking St. Augustine they prioritize the safety and wellbeing of their guests and are always happy to answer any questions.
Kayaking St. Augustine also offers several guided tours perfect for getting an up close and personal experience with Florida’s waterways. Their tours include a sunrise tour of the stunning St. Augustine coastline, a salt run dolphin tour, a Backwater tour in the Deep Creek Conservation Area, and a Downtown Bayfront History tour for those that would like to learn about the historic city’s fascinating past.
Kayaking St. Augustine is the perfect choice for those looking for safe and reliable St. Augustine kayak rentals and expertly guided tours of the city and it’s natural surroundings.
Anastasia State Park
Anastasia State Park is one of the most popular places to kayak in St. Augustine. The park is located on Anastasia Island and has over 1,600 acres of unspoiled beach, marsh, and maritime hammock. The park also has a sizable tidal salt marsh home to various birds and marine life. Visitors will enjoy views of the St. Augustine Lighthouse, beach dunes and narrow waterways.
Kayak rentals are available at the park, and there are several options to choose from. Single and tandem kayaks are available, as well as stand-up paddleboards. In addition to kayaking, the park is great for a variety of other activities including hiking, camping, fishing, and sailing.
St. Augustine Paddle Sports
St. Augustine Paddle Sports is another excellent option for kayaking in St. Augustine. The company offers guided tours of the Matanzas River, a beautiful estuary just south of St. Augustine. The river is home to various birds, fish, and marine life. You may even spot dolphins or manatees!
In addition to guided tours, St. Augustine Paddle Sports also offers kayak rentals. The rentals are available for half-day or full-day use and include everything you need, including paddles and life jackets, to ensure everyone is safely navigating the water.
The company also has a bait and tackle shop on-site, and offers a kayak fishing charter for those that would like to try their hand at seeing what they can catch. Common fish caught in the area include red fish, trout, flounder, tarpon, and more. Their staff can also take a scenic tour to see the stoic St. Augustine Lighthouse, which also accommodates large groups. You will want to take advantage of this stop and add St. Augustine Paddle Sports to the trip’s itinerary.
Genung’s Fish Camp
Genung’s Fish Camp is a family-owned and operated riverside establishment providing more than just kayak rentals and guided tours. For over 50 years, the camp has served travelers from all over, offering an outdoor wonderland with its comprehensive setup. They offer kayak rentals by the hour, and have a variety of different options including single, tandem, sit-in kayaks, and fishing kayaks.
Their camp features a live bait and tackle shop, storage and boat slips if you bring your watercraft on your vacation, a small selection of items to purchase to commemorate your visit, and ice by the bag, beer, soda, and locally sourced honey. There is also an event venue where they host events throughout the year – perfect for your next family reunion or birthday party.
The kayak tours at Genung’s are the star of the show, however. They bring visitors out on the river by kayak so paddlers can discover all the wildlife and natural beauty in their neck of the woods. Their tours included guided excursions of the Matanzas River, and they even offer nighttime tours so guests can view the shimmery bioluminescence by the moonlight!
So be sure to drop into Genung’s Fish Camp and grab a lounge chair, sit along the riverbank, and soak up the sun over on the west bank of the Matanzas River.
Geo Trippin
Geo Trippin is a unique kayaking experience in St. Augustine. The company offers guided tours of the local waterways but with a twist – the tours are led by expert guides who provides information about the area’s ecological landscape.
Have you ever seen a body of water glow as bright as a neon sign? Or learned about bottlenose dolphins while observing them in their natural habitat? All this and more is possible when you book an ecotour with Geo Trippin! Their professional guides will take you along the St. Augustine shores to get up close and personal with the local flora and fauna. This includes tours of estuaries where you can observe marsh habitats and learn about the creatures that call it home, tidal lagoon tours for dolphin spotting, and bioluminescence tours where you can view one of nature’s most intriguing phenomena in its fluorescent glory.
The tours are a great way to learn about the natural landscape of St. Augustine and the local wildlife and ecology. Book an eco-tour today for an unforgettable experience on your next vacation!
Ripple Effect
Dolphins, Manatees, and Cranes, oh my. How about checking out the waterways and byways with the company Ripple Effect? They are a non-profit organization that offers guided kayak tours and eco-tours in St. Augustine and Marineland, Florida.
Ripple Effect’s exclusive tours are led by experienced guides knowledgeable about the local ecology and wildlife. The organization offers several different tours, including a sunset tour where you can catch stunning views of the waterways at dusk. They also offer a St. Augustine Beach naturalist walk guided by local scientists for those that prefer to explore by land. The organization is committed to providing a sustainable and environmentally-ethical tour experience for guests. From the guides they employ to their vegetable oil powered boat engines, Ripple Effect takes their commitment to the environment seriously.
Kayak rentals are also available for those who prefer to explore independently. Ripple Effect’s website has excellent information about the different excursions you can book with them and their partners dedicated to conserving the lush and wild landscape in the heart of Florida.
Plan Your St. Augustine Vacation
Ready to explore St. Augustine’s natural wonders for yourself? Book your St. Augustine condo with Beacher’s Lodge and let the adventure begin!
Kayaking Florida
Kayaking Florida offers guests the chance to get up close to the Florida manatees of Silver Springs State Park through their kayaking tours and paddleboard adventures. Kayaking alongside these magnificent creatures is the best way to interact with them and not disturb them in their natural habitat. One of the company’s key features is clear kayaks to provide an even more immersive experience for guests.
Kayaking Florida’s tours are a fantastic experience with abundant wildlife at every turn. They offer slow-paced, informative kayaking tours in Silver Springs showcasing the impressive landscape, with possible sightings of wild monkeys, alligators, beautiful water birds, and manatees in their natural habitat. Silver Springs has resident manatees that live in the silver river year-round.
Their kayaks have built-in seat backs that make for a comfortable experience and provide excellent lower back support. They also provide carbon fiber paddles which are extremely light and easy on your arms and shoulders. Kayaking Florida is a perfect choice for those looking to add some adventure to their next vacation and wanting a chance to observe diverse native wildlife.
Action Kayak Adventures
Action Kayak Adventures offers both fishing excursions and private eco-tours for those looking for a one-on-one tour of Florida’s wildlife. Their goal is providing a peaceful and relaxing trip through the salt marshes and lake beds inaccessible to boats powered by a motor but suitable for kayaks to maneuver through.
Guided by Coastal Florida Master Naturalist Bart Swab, guests will be treated to a personal tour of Florida marshes and mangrove-lined waterways that are perfect for fly fishing on a sunny afternoon. You can expect to see wildlife ranging from migratory birds, deer, wild hogs, gators, and more. Bart is an expert fisherman with a lifetime of experience under his belt, making him the perfect, knowledgeable guide on your expedition. His love of the Florida wildlife and dedication to its conservation will be apparent to all that join him for a kayak tour.
Tours and fishing excursions with Action Kayak Adventures include kayaks, coolers, lifejackets, fishing rods, bait and other essential equipment. Guests can also choose if they would like a half-day or full-day trip and they accommodate the tours for paddlers of all levels of experience.
Stay at Beacher’s Lodge
Beacher’s Lodge offers the perfect St. Augustine condo rentals for your vacation. Our St. Augustine beachfront suites offer stunning views of the ocean and our St. Augustine balcony suites are perfect for catching some rays while you sip your morning coffee. With fantastic amenities including rentals with kitchenettes and even full kitchens in some, access to our oceanfront pool, laundry facilities, flat screen televisions, and more, Beacher’s Lodge is truly a home away from home. Book your St. Augustine rental today and get started on your next adventure!