Your Guide to Kayaking On and Off Amelia Island
Kayaking is always an adventure. Amelia Island and the surrounding waterways offer a wealth of kayaking adventures suitable for all skill levels. From paddling the swift tidal currents surrounding Cumberland Island to the calm, blackwater of Yulee’s Lofton Creek, northeast Florida/southeast Georgia is blessed with a variety of exceptional bodies of water perfect for kayaking newbies, seasoned paddlers, and everyone in between.
There are several local adventure companies to discover all the wildlife and scenic beauty on and off Amelia Island. Adventures Up The Creek brings over 20 years of experience to tours across Amelia Island, St. Mary’s, and Jacksonville, from tranquil paddles along Egans Creek to the scenic Cherry Point Kayaking Trail. Wildlife spotting is a highlight, including unique trips along the Trout River to the Jacksonville Zoo.
Amelia Adventures offers six guided tours featuring diverse landscapes and wildlife. Beginners enjoy the Downtown Fernandina Beach tour along the Amelia River and Tiger Island, while intermediates can paddle across Cumberland Sound to explore historic Cumberland Island and the Dungeness ruins.
Family-owned Amelia Island Kayak Excursions provides award-winning tours, rentals, SUPs, motorboat excursions, nature walks, and kids’ camps. Their routes explore the Amelia River, saltmarsh, and Intracoastal waterways, offering encounters with dolphins, wading birds, ospreys, and eagles. Rated the area’s #1 kayaking company for over a decade, they ensure safe, educational, and family-friendly adventures.
The Nature Center at Omni Amelia Island Resort delivers guided kayaking and paddleboarding experiences from a private dock at Walker’s Landing. Guests can interact with rescued wildlife, rent fishing gear, and enjoy expert insights from staff naturalists. Many activities are exclusive to resort guests, providing serene and immersive nature experiences.
Paddle Jax Amelia, guided by a Certified Advanced Master Naturalist, combines historic and scenic waterways with memorable family-friendly experiences. Tours include the Big Cypress Tree of Lofton Creek and unique nighttime glow-stick paddles for thrill-seekers, blending adventure, wildlife, and education.
Finally, Riptide Water Sports offers group and private tours along Simpson’s Creek in the Timucuan National Preserve and around Kingsley Plantation, showcasing salt marshes, wildlife, and historic sites. All tours focus on safe, engaging, and nature-filled experiences suitable for families and paddlers of all levels.
Together, these companies provide unforgettable ways to explore the beauty, wildlife, and history of Amelia Island and northeastern Florida by kayak.
Find out more here.