Can't go wrong with Paddle! Very friendly and helpful. We rented a tandem kayak for the day. Loved every minute of it! We highly recommend Paddle:)
My son and I just returned from a five-day trip to the Florida Keys - what a great trip. Although we stayed at the Marrriott resort in Key Largo (a very nice place, by the way), we were prepared to travel throughout the Keys to find our outdoor entertainment. Following a full-day scuba training/outing on Molasses Reef, we were looking for more of a laid-back adventure for our last day of vacation. That's where Paddle! the Florida Keys, located in Tavernier, came into the picture. After doing a fair amount of on-line searching for a suitable, economical kayak rental establishment I found this gem. Honestly, many of the other listed shops were either way over-priced (up to $40 per hour for a single kayak?) or just not located in a particularly interesting spot - and we were definitely not interested in competing with rental jet skis. A short 30-minute or so drive from our hotel, we found Paddle! tucked away, located on the western side of Tavernier Creek. Kayak rental was extremely reasonable and Chris set us up with two single boats. Honestly, as the owner of several kayaks of my own, the rental kayaks were just well-used, basic sit-on style boats, but they were entirely serviceable. A short walk along the canal boardwalk and we put into the creek, with guidance from Chris: head to the right into the bay (with promises of ample sealife sightings) where there are several small islands, or left, up the creek, into the nearby mangroves. First we headed right, toward the bay. Beautiful, shallow clear water, with sightings of several manatees, sting rays, and pelicans - apparently there are also shovelhead sharks too, though we did not see any ourselves. After about an hour-long paddle, we headed back to the wharf and had a nice seafood lunch at a fish shack near the rental shop. Then, we proceeded to the left, up the creek into the mangrove. On the way we observed several more manatees. I apparently misunderstood Chris' guidance provided in the shop, because we proceeded to paddle deep into a very narrow channel, which eventually dead-ended several hundred yards to the east. Definitely an adventure getting back out! According to several other kayakers we met later, there is, in fact, another mangrove entrance a bit further to the north which connects to a small scenic lake. Oh well, our route certainly presented some unexpected entertainment! In conclusion, I highly recommend PADDLE! to those who want to have a fulfilling kayak or paddleboard adventure. Friendly service, fantastic location, and extremely competitive rental rates. Just double-check that map before heading into the mangroves!
Found this great spot because of fish market next door. Hubby & I rented a 2 person kayak. Good recommendation of route to island then up creek thru mangrove to a lake for us 60-year olds. Paddle boards also available. Cute clothing/gear shop, too. Co-worker is a Conch (Key West born) & nice young man. Saw manatees in their canal! Good price & service.
Very accommodating staff. Their prices for a kayak rentals are the best. It's a great location because when you launch, you can either go to the ocean side or you can go down the creek. There is a mangrove tunnel not too far down the creek.
Rented some kayaks for our own adventure. Staff were super nice and helpful. No stress. Even provided some great lunch stop suggestions. Definitely recommend them for you paddle needs.
