Frequently Asked Questions

We’re open daily from 10am to 5pm. We’re located at 90773 Old Hwy, Tavernier, FLClick for map

Yes we do our best to maintain a 12 to 1 ratio of participants to guides. We strive to keep our tours small and intimate.

Yes! We actually recommend our tours to first timers and for our more experienced paddlers, we recommend doing a self guided tour as our tours tend to be at a slow pace to maximize the chance of having an experience with one of our resident manatees.

Parking in the Keys in general is difficult. We have so many visitors and a very limited space to put them in. That said, we have always found a spot for our customers. There’s a good amount of onsite parking and we will make room even if we have to move our own cars out of the way.

The short answer is yes. Some parts will get damp for sure even if you really try not to. You might decide to go swimming or get in a splash fight with your friends! We say that you should be prepared to get wet. That means leave your keys behind at our counter, keep your phone and any other valuables in a dry bag and then go have a good time. We sell waterproof phone bags which allow you to take pictures and talk while the phone is protected. Remember: waterproof phones sink just as fast as non waterproof phones so put that phone in a bag!

The Keys tend to be busier during the weekends as we are Miami’s playground. There also tends to be more people on the water on the weekends. If you’re looking for a more relaxed time, the weekdays are usually a better choice but any time is good. Our manatees don’t know whether it’s a weekday or weekend so they just hang out and have a good time either way!

Usually our waters are very clear. However, when the wind is blowing from the south it stirs up our shallow waters and there will be some particles suspended in the water especially on a rising tide.

We always see something. However, we can’t guarantee that you will see any particular fish or animal. Most of the time we do see manatees and small nurse sharks but they are wild and tend to move around at their own pace. Often you can spot manatees right off the back deck.

• Sunscreen (this is Florida and the sun is strong!)*
• Towel*
• Dry clothes
• Phone, suggested to have in a dry box or waterproof case*
• Water shoes can be helpful*
• Snorkeling gear*
• A hat to keep the sun off your face and neck*
• Sunglasses with sunglass retainer*
• Snacks and water*
• Bug Spray (this is Florida)
• Friends – paddling is much more fun with a couple of friends along
• A positive attitude!  (this is most important and will affect your whole day)

*available in our store if you forgot or need to pick them up

At PADDLE! the Florida Keys, we only rent and sell top quality and reliable paddleboards. Some rental companies will cut corners and purchase the cheapest paddleboards available. While that might be ok for their profits, we feel that by renting only quality paddleboards we can offer our customers something they won’t find just anywhere else.

All on-site rentals are to be returned by 4:45pm. Rentals not returned by 5:00pm will be subject to a $100 late fee, to be paid upon return to land. Please plan accordingly while on the water to return on time.

Sometimes at launch sites the bugs can be bad, so we do recommend some bugspray. Typically the bugs are not bad once out paddling on the water.

While there are no alligators in the Florida Keys we are home to the American Saltwater Crocodile. The American Saltwater Crocodile can be found in the northern portions of the Florida Keys. They are highly skittish and are not commonly seen in areas with high human traffic. On March 20, 2007, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service declassified the American crocodile as an endangered species, downgrading its status to “threatened”; the reptile remains protected from illegal harassing, poaching, or killing under the federal Endangered Species Act.

In the areas we travel on our tours or recommend for your rentals, the water is normally between less than 1 foot to 5 feet deep. Some places have been dredged deeper to allow power boat passage.

The answer is definitely NO. Most of the sharks we encounter around here are nurse sharks and bonnet head sharks. They are usually less than 4 feet long and will not bite you unless you stick your hand down their mouth or are harassing them. So just relax and enjoy your day out on the water.

We offer skateboards, hats, clothing, footwear, flotation, dry boxes and bags, and accessories for a fun time out on the water at our PADDLE! the Florida Keys shop in Tavernier. We can assist in outfitting your vessel with any accessories purchased in store.

Yes, if you bought the board or boat from us, we will install any accessories free of labor charge. However, if you bought your board or boat from another store, we will charge shop time for any installations. If you can dream it, we can make it happen.

Yes! We offer a 10% military discount on tours and rentals with a valid military ID.

Yes! We offer a 10% locals discount on tours and rentals with a valid Monroe County ID.

We love your four-legged friends! Well behaved pups are allowed in our store as well as on our equipment rentals. Please keep your dog on leash and we highly recommend having a proper life jacket for them as well.

We have a 2 hour cancellation policy for any changes or cancellations to your reservation. You can call our front dest directly regarding any changes or cancellations.

All of our kayaks are sit on top, which are very stable and durable. We offer single and two-person (tandem) kayaks, both of which are perfect for exploring the near shore waters of the Keys.

Yes we do! Our guided tours are two hours long and leave everyday at 10:30am and 2:00pm. We typically cruise around the southern end of Key Largo or in Tavernier Creek but can be seen all over the island seeking out the best tour routes for our customers.

Maybe, but before taking on a new sport or exercising you should consult your doctor and get their clearance.

Maybe, but before taking on a new sport or exercising you should consult and get clearance from your doctor.

You get wet! Our guides will fully cover what to do in case you do go in the water.

Our guides know where to take you to provide the most sheltered experience possible. However, sometimes the wind comes up and then we can assist you by offering a tow.

We recommend covering up to prevent overexposure to the sun. Footwear — think water shoes more than flip flops — is recommended for entering and exiting the water. Even if it looks overcast, bring sunglasses or a full brimmed hat, because the weather shifts frequently throughout the day. All of these items can be purchased at PADDLE! the Florida Keys if you forget anything or want to expand your water wardrobe.

The coast guard has determined that a kayak is a “vessel under way.” Therefore, you must have a PFD (personal flotation device, or life jacket) and a signaling device (whistle) in your possession at all times while operating the watercraft. Children 13 years and younger are required by our company policy to wear their life jackets at all times, while on the water. They are also required by our insurance company. All rentals and tours include life jackets.

Sunscreen, bug spray, a hat, water, sunglasses (with leash) for seeing into the water better, a towel, and a change of dry clothes are the main things to bring along. An open mind and a great attitude will also help you immensely in learning this new sport.

Yes we do, however, it is a good idea to take a lesson to insure that you are using proper form and to avoid injuries or bad habits. It doesn’t take long for a quick instruction to give you the basics. See our rate sheet for our rental rates.

Our guides will bring along a dry bag with a phone, first aid kit, and water for everyone on the tour/lesson.