Quick Details
Kayak Through the Key West Mangroves & Backcountry
Along with your experienced guide, paddle at a relaxing pace and explore the shallow, calm, blue-green waters and mangrove tunnels of the Key West backcountry.
You will glide through the winding mangrove creeks and paddle through inches of water, where you can easily view and learn about the geological structure of the Keys along with its inhabitants, all from the comfort of your kayak.
Your adventure will give you a chance to view the mangrove environment up close, along with its marine life including tropical fish, crabs, sea stars, jellyfish, sea cucumbers, sponges and various aquatic birds. Every trip leads us on a different adventure!
Tours run daily at 10:00 and 2:00 (with check in 30 mins before). Dogs welcome! Doubles or singles available, prices per person. **PARKING IS VERY LIMITED ESP DURING HOLIDAYS. TAXI/UBER/LYFT RECOMMENDED**
Please, do not book if you’re coming in from Miami “for the day.” It takes about 3.5 hours with zero traffic and no stops. It can take as much as 6 hours or more during peak season.
CANCELLATION POLICY: 12 HOURS NOTICE FOR FULL REFUND. Please note this tour goes rain or shine. We only cancel if winds are dangerous or for lightning. If we cancel, full refund is given.
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- This tour launches right from Lazy Dog Adventures at Hurricane Hole Marina and returns to same location (there is free parking available tho it’s limited. it’s highly recommended that you take a taxi or ride share.
- We’ll explore the sea grass beds and mangrove creeks and tunnels between Key West and Stock Island
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On this kayak tour you can expect to see any number of sponges, tropical fish, birds, sea stars, sea cucumbers and the occasional dolphin, shark, ray and possibly manatees!
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- This tour is not recommended for children under 6 years of age due to duration in sun and attention span required
- This tour is great for beginner (we’ll give you a lesson) and experienced paddlers alike
- This activity is not recommended for people with knee, shoulder or back issues
- You must know how to swim to participate in this and any water activity.
- Weight limit is 250 lbs for a single and 500 lbs for a double (we can always turn a double into a single if needed!)
- We have single or double kayaks available (prices are per person not per kayak). We have sit inside “river” single kayaks. We have mostly sit inside “river” double kayaks. We do have a few sit on top double and single kayaks. You’ll let your guide know your preference.
- Well behaved Dogs are welcome! If your dog isn’t used to the water or doesn’t like being around strangers, we recommend a rental on your own instead.
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- Wear bathing suit or anything you don’t mind getting wet
- If sensitive to sun, bring a hat and long sleeves
- Sunscreen (we sell reef safe)
- Water. We have filtered water available for free, just bring a bottle! We also sell bottled water
- There is a bathroom at our marina for use before and after tour
- We do not have lockers. However, you can leave anything you like behind with us at Lazy Dog or lock your stuff in your car and leave us the key. There is plenty of room in your kayak to bring a bag with you though it will get wet.
- We sell phone pouches to keep phones from getting wet (we’re not responsible for user error 😉
Kayaking through the serene mangroves was an incredible experience! The peaceful surroundings and diverse wildlife made it a truly immersive adventure. Our tour leader, Betty from Lazy Dogs was fantastic — knowledgeable about the ecosystem, safety-oriented, and passionate about conservation. Her guidance and enthusiasm added so much value to the whole experience.
– Christine C. | Google
We took the Key West Kayak Eco-Tour with Lazy Dog for the second time this past Saturday, and it will not be our last. It’s relaxing and informative, and the routes taken vary between guides, time of day and year, etc., so it is well worth a repeat. The scenery is beautiful and the natural tunnels through the mangroves seem other-worldly. I highly recommend this tour to any and all planning to visit the Lower Keys!
– Jason B. | Google
This was an unforgettable experience. I’d learned of the Florida wildlife and ecosystems in my environmental classes in college and I got to experience it in real life! Our tour guide was very lively and funny. He had a lot of knowledge and experience, so everyone enjoyed his stories. The water was so clear and blue/green, I just couldn’t believe my eyes. Although it was early in the morning, I’d do it all over again. Also, the Lazy Dog has really cute stickers and shirts at their shop! Overall, I had an amazing time. Thank you!
– Ohsnapitzbean | Google
I’ve been to 22 countries and traveled all over the US. This kayak tour was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had! Ellen was a fantastic tour guide and shared all kinds of fascinating information about the mangroves and the wildlife. We saw a blue heron, green heron babies, snowy egret and magnificent frigates (Ellen’s favorite bird)! We also got to hold jellyfish that didn’t sting us! And we even saw manatees! Ellen was great at spotting the manatees. We came across them three different times including a family with a baby calf! Just an incredible tour! Don’t miss this one if you’re in Key West!
– Angela D. | Google
An amazing day full of memories on our girls trip/sisters trip. Our guide was amazing, friendly and patient when it came to some of us being beginners. Definitely book, you will not be disappointed!
– Denise J. | Google
We did a Mangrove Kayak Eco Tour during our Key West vacation last year and loved it to much we came back again this year! This year's guide, Leia, was fantastic. Friendly, approachable, and knowledgeable about all the wildlife! We kayaked through red mangrove tunnels and saw iguanas, nurse shark, crabs, a manatee mom and baby, cormorants, pelicans, and upsidedown jellyfish! HIGHLY recommend and appropriate for all skill levels.
– - Emily H. | Google
We had an amazing time touring with Lindsey. She was super knowledgeable and was able to show us many different types of sea life up close. The mangrove tunnels were spectacular. Overall a great experience and would come back.
– - Lauren W. | Google