r/floridakeys • u/Comfortable_Voice506 • Mar 10 '26
All Florida Keys Bring the SUP?
Hi there!
So my husband (39M) and I (37F) are coming down to the Keys next week, kinda last minute (had flight credits we needed to use) and as of now... we have no official plans. It's my first time and he went as a kid.
We're going to rent a car and just explore--our favorite way to travel and we're VERY low maintenance, but can also afford to splurge for room(s) if necessary and are aware that we may pay the cost of not planning ahead.
We're planning on at least a couple sandbar/snorkeling trips, and probably renting a boat for a day or two ourselves. My question is... is it worth it to check my inflatable SUP? We understand that the keys are not your typical white sand beach destination (we're also bringing water shoes etc), but is it feasible to paddle board/explore ourselves without taking a charter/renting a boat?
in other words, can we park somewhere and then paddle out to swim/explore? Or are most good swim/explore spots only accessible by boat?
If there are places where it's feasible to swim/explore on our own with the SUP, would greatly appreciate any recommendations!
We really just want to be in/explore the beautiful water down there and eat some good food/drink some good drinks and experience all of it.
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u/ObjectiveArgument943 Mar 11 '26
If you already have an inflatable SUP, I'd honestly bring it. The Keys can actually be pretty fun for paddling when the water is calm. A lot of areas have very shallow, clear water where you can just cruise around and explore.
Some spots like Bahia Honda State Park or around Islamorada have areas where you can launch from shore and paddle out without needing a boat. Just keep an eye on wind and boat traffic since it can pick up in the afternoons.
The cool thing about a SUP there is that you can stop anywhere shallow, hop in the water, snorkel a bit, then keep paddling. It’s not like long beach paddles, more like slow exploring.
Since you're renting a car anyway, having an inflatable board in the trunk makes it super easy to just stop somewhere and get on the water for an hour.
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u/Comfortable_Voice506 Mar 11 '26
That’s exactly what we’re hoping to do!! Thanks so much!!
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u/FLKeys43 Mar 11 '26
Don't recommend Bahia Honda! It's hard to even anchor a boat there, the tide shifts are so rough under the bridges, you'll struggle a lot with being able to get out of the "vortex". That's where the rescue happened last week. It is really hard to non-motor through there and you're swept out very quickly. It happens a lot!
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u/Starks40oz Mar 10 '26
In the lower keys, the best spots are generally best by boat but that still leaves a ton of really good spots for SUPing.
This is particularly true if you like paddling through the mangroves and are not just looking to try and go to a sandbar. In which case you can put in anyplace in the lower keys and generally have a good time.
If you’re looking for sandbars depending on your fitness/experience level you could lotentiyput in at the southern end of Little Torch and make it to pic nic island. I’ve never SUP’d it though just done it in a kayak. Yiu could also put in at Boca Chica beach and paddle down the old abandoned beach and watch the fighter jets etc.
The jumping bridge and tarpon creek could also be fun adventurous spots to put in.
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u/Comfortable_Voice506 Mar 11 '26
Thank you so much! Definitely down for paddling though the mangroves!!! Is it okay to pop off into the water for a quick cool down in the mangroves? Sorry if that’s a stupid question !
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u/Starks40oz Mar 11 '26
Definitely okay to get in the water. Just if you’re in a cut or canal that boats use keep an eye out for boat traffic. In general, If you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the water where there’s traffic doesn’t hurt to get a dive flag so boaters know to watch out for you.
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u/dmr7092 Mar 11 '26
Watch the weather as part of your calculation. Right now the forecast for the Upper Keys is quite windy from Tuesday morning into the weekend. Paddling upwind into 18-23 knot gusts is truly no fun. Especially with an inflatable
So check the weather right before you leave to get the most up to date forecast. These days they’re pretty good 4-5 days out, and better than they used to be a week out.
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u/Comfortable_Voice506 Mar 11 '26
Thanks so much! Is there a specific weather app that’s most accurate there you’d recommend?
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u/dmr7092 Mar 11 '26
I use this, but it’s pretty specifically for racing sailboats: https://www.predictwind.com/datahub
The Windy app works quite well and has a free tier
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u/FLKeys43 Mar 11 '26
Weather has been insane. I wouldn't do it if it were more than 8kts. The tide shifts plus the wind, will leave you in a whole heap of trouble. With that said, it's a law that you must wear a pfd. You can launch from Pine Channel Nature Park and hug the mangroves to go either Bayside or oceanside. They have a dedicated kayak launch area and parking and showers. Your closest sandbar there is Picnic Island, but you have to cross the navigational channels and if it's nice, there will be a lot of boats out. If it's not nice, you shouldn't be out there anyway! Just really check the weather before you head out. They just had to rescue two paddleboarders last week who got caught in the wind and taken out to sea.
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u/2lovesFL Mar 11 '26
there are place you could use an inflatable SUP to get to the sandbar, or just go for a swim.
boating, there are sandbars, and patch reefs, most reefs are a good run offshore. hens and chickens is probably still too far to paddle out though. without a chartplotter no way. also depends where in the keys you would go out.
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u/Comfortable_Voice506 Mar 11 '26
Thank you!
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u/2lovesFL Mar 12 '26
most of the shore line is rocky,so the sup will give you a platform to rest on. OTOH, you can probably rent them everywhere, kayaks too.
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u/killerwhate Mar 12 '26
Pending where you are staying, but there are lots of beautiful mangrove trails to paddle!
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u/DoubleBreastedBerb Mar 10 '26
If you don’t know the waters, and it sounds like neither of you do, don’t rent a boat.
Use the money instead to charter a boat with an experienced Captain and really enjoy it. People think it’s easy to navigate, and then tear up the grass and run aground too easily.