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The following is a list of areas I've found for launching my kayak in the Broward County Florida area. All are within a 2 hour drive of Hollywood, Florida.
Broward and North Miami-Dade
Oleta River State Park, North Miami Beach- Launch from the mangroves into North Biscayne Bay. You can paddle and swim around the spoil islands or head up the intracoastal into the Oleta River. Water is surprisingly clear due to nearby Haulover inlet.
West Lake Park, Hollywood- 2 mile long shallow saltwater lake in the mangroves with 4 trails into the mangroves. Access to the intracoastal. No motor zone. Get lost in the middle of town. Now with crocodiles!
Hollywood Beach- The only allowed put-in spot on Hollywood beach.
Whiskey Creek/ John Lloyd Park- Dania Beach.Located in John U. Lloyd State park, access to beach and port Everglades.
Fort Lauderdale Beach- Park on A1A, unload your kayak directly on the beach. Easiest beach access in Broward.
Everglades Holiday Park- West Broward-Located where 3 canals meet at the water conservation area. Noted for fishing. Alligators and wading birds are often seen. Gets noisy due to airboat ride concession.
New River, Downtown Ft. Lauderdale to Pond Apple Swamp- Paddle through downtown to the neighborhoods off Las Olas Blvd, or launch at Riverland Park and visit the Pond Apple Swamp area for urban wilderness..
Wilton Manors, The Island City located within the north and south forks of the Middle River just north of Ft. Lauderdale. This is a 7 mile loop paddle through parks and residential areas.
George English Park. Ft. Lauderdale. Provides easy access to the posh Las Olas waterfront neighborhoods.
Deerfield Island- County park in the intracoastal. Not a spoil island, but has been reconfigured. Long nature trails. Luxurious waterfront homes along the route.
Palm Beach Spots
Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge- West of Boynton Beach. 5 mile long circular man-made route through the sawgrass. Leisurely way to see the River of Grass part of the glades by kayak. You will encounter alligators up close and personal.
Loxahatchee River- Palm Beach- Martin County line.Beautiful trip through a winding natural river. Upper river is a cypress swamp, lower river is brackish and mangrove dominated. 8 miles with pickup services available. Gators, otters and other wildlife if you go early.
Lake Worth Pier- Lake Worth. Launch from the beach for the closest access to deep blue water on the east coast.
Southern Boulevard Bridge- Palm Beach. Sand beach launch in the middle of the intracoastal. Good fishing spot.
Munyon Island- North Palm Beach. Located in the intracoastal within John D. Macarthur State Park. Shallow area with lots of wildlife and fishing opportunities. Picninc shelters available on the island.
Miami and the Upper Keys
Morningside Park Area- Bird-filled spoil islands replanted with native vegetation, trout flats and Picnic Island. Located between the 195 Causeway and the 79th St Causeway.
Matheson Hammock- Coral Gables. Bonefish flats and a surpringly quaint brackish water trail through the mangroves. I've seen otters and snakes back in the mangroves.
Coconut Grove- Look at nice houses and Vizcaya. Map of Crandon Marina included.
Deering Estate/ Chicken Key (Snowden's Dam)- South Dade. Grass flats for bonefish and a nice little island for baby shark viewing.
Black Point- Mangrove shoreline and a sheltered bay with lots of creeks.
Convoy Point/ Homestead Bayfront Park- Next to Turkey Point, more grass flats, mangrove shoreline and a chance to see crocodiles.
Rattlesnake Key- Mangrove trails, good bonefish flats and a wreck for snorkeling. Middle of Key Largo.
John Pennekamp State Park and Dusenbury Creek - Good mangrove trails and access to fishing areas. Key Largo.
Card Sound Road- Upper Key Largo mangrove creeks. Fishing, sightseeing. Access to open bay areas on both sides of the road.
Cape Florida Bill Baggs State Park- as of late 2007, you can now launch from the beach at the north end of the park. This provides access to Stiltsville. Page also has map of Crandon Marina.
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Links
Broward County Florida Boat Ramps
Loxahatchee River Canoe outfitters (rentals and pickups)
Palm Beach Kayaking and Canoeing Guide- more places to paddle
Canoe and Kayak in Everglades National Park
South Florida Bush Paddlers Association- maps to many Miami-Dade County spots
Great Calusa Blueway- Detailed maps of the paddling trail in Lee County, FL. Includes Lovers Key, Ft. Myers, Sanibel, Captiva and Cayo Costa. Worth the drive.
Paradise Coast Blueway- Trails in the 10,000 Islands in the Everglades, including Turner River
Charlotte County Blueway- Paddling Areas around Charlotte Harbor, the estuary of the Myaka and Peace rivers. Includes Punta Gorda and Boca Grande.
Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail- Pensacola to Georgia the hard way.
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