Canoeing and Kayaking in Miami

Miami-Dade Parks offers a variety of EcoAdventure Tours, including canoeing and kayaking on Biscayne Bay. The Deering Estate offers naturalist-guided canoe trips on Sunday mornings. On the trip, you will canoe to Chicken Key, a seven-acre mangrove island and restored bird rookery, which is located one mile offshore from the Deering Estate. Keep a look out for the manatees and sea turtles, as well as other marine wildlife along the way. The canoe trip is from 8:00 am to 11:00 am and is $25 for adults and $15 for children ages 9-14.

Interested is trying something different? Then checkout the Moonlight Canoe Tour also at the Deering Estate. You will canoe to Chicken Key under the light of the full moon. This night-time adventure includes a camp-fire and light snacks on the island. The moonlight canoe trip is from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm and is $35. You must be 18 years and older for this trip. Helpful hint: reserve your space early because this trip is sold out months in advance.

Kayak rentals are available on weekends from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Deering Estate. The cost for adults is $10 per hour plus regular park admission. The cost for children, ages 9-15, is $8 per hour plus regular park admission.

Deering Estate at Cutler

The Deering Estate is simply breathtaking. With two lavish mansions and over 444 acres of natural areas, it is a must see for locals and those visiting Miami. Although its location is pretty far south, the scenic drive on Old Cutler Road is well worth it.

Included with admission ($7 for adults and $5 for children ages 4-14) is the historic house tour and the natural areas tour. The tour guides are very knowledgable and friendly. I found it very interesting that the 1900 Richmond Cottage was the first hotel between Coconut Grove and Key West! On the natural areas tour, we stopped at the Tequesta Indian Burial Mound, which dates from 1500 - 1700, and learned that 12-18 chieftans were buried there face down.

After the tours I walked by the water and visited the Mangrove Boardwalk, which takes you through the coastal wetland and mangrove forests.

I am definitely going to come back for a specialty tour or an EcoAdventure Tour. The Estate also offers a variety of art and health classes.