Sign In

Kayak Tours & Rentals on Amelia Island

Glide through salt marsh and black water creeks with dolphins, manatees, and herons for company. Guided tours for every skill level.

Book Now

Why kayak on Amelia Island

  • •One of Florida's richest salt marsh ecosystems, protected inside Timucuan Preserve
  • •Bottle-nose dolphins, manatees (May–October), roseate spoonbills, and nesting osprey
  • •Calm, protected back waters — no surf, no chop, ideal for first-time paddlers
  • •Lofton Creek's cypress tunnels feel more like the Lowcountry than beach Florida

Book with local operators

Amelia Island Kayak Excursions

Guided tours with local naturalists. The Lofton Creek trip through cypress and tupelo is the one to book.

From $45/person2 hours
Book Now

Amelia Island Paddle Surf Company

Paddleboard and kayak rentals with optional guided tours. Good if you want to go at your own pace.

From $35Flexible
Book Now

Local tips

  1. 1Book a morning tour. Wildlife is more active before the sun gets high and afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer.
  2. 2Lofton Creek is the hidden gem — black-water, old-growth cypress, feels like nowhere else on the coast.
  3. 3Bring polarized sunglasses. You'll see rays, flounder, and crabs under the surface you'd otherwise miss.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need kayaking experience?

No. Guided tours are designed for beginners. If you can sit upright and hold a paddle, you can do a back-water tour on Amelia.

What wildlife might I see?

Bottle-nose dolphins and mullet year-round. Manatees May–October. Expect herons, egrets, ibis, roseate spoonbills, osprey, and painted buntings in spring.

When is the best time of year to kayak?

April, May, October, and November are ideal — warm, calm, and low bug pressure. Summer is gorgeous but humid; morning only.

What should I bring on a kayak tour?

Quick-dry clothes, a hat, sunscreen (reef-safe), water, polarized sunglasses, and a dry bag for your phone. Most outfitters provide everything else.

Related experiences

Paddleboard Rentals
Dolphin Tours
Fishing Charters