When the weather gets warm and the water isn’t too cold, why not take a little vacation with your paddleboard? These 23 spots are close enough to Orlando so you can get away for a day and paddle your thoughts out.
Captions by Rachel Stuart and Deanna Ferrante
Wekiwa Springs
1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka
Distance from Orlando: 32 minutes
At Wekiwa Springs, you can take your time paddling the water to experience the historic scenery. Paddleboards can be rented at $20 for one hour, $35 for four hours, $10.65 per additional hour or $65 per day.
Photo via yoginictothep/InstagramLake Killarney
151 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
Distance from Orlando: 19 minutes
Like other places in the Orlando area, this alligator-free lake offers paddleboard rentals and tours through Paddleboard Orlando. The shop is located right near Lake Killarney, and daily paddleboard rentals can range from $25 to $75.
Photo via paddleboard.orlando/InstagramSanta Fe River
21410 US-441, High Springs
Distance from Orlando: 2 hours
Take a relaxing trip down one of Florida’s most iconic rivers, which flows into many different freshwater springs and scenic forest hideaways. Plus, Santa Fe Canoe Outpost, the rental company, will pick you up designated points in the river, so if you start to feel paddled-out, you won’t have to make the trip back.
Photo via n1c0l3t/InstagramLake Isleworth
R.D. Keene Boat Ramp, 10900 Chase Rd, Windermere
Distance from Orlando: 27 minutes
This lake is part of the Butler Chain of Lakes, beautiful waterways that you can access for free with non-motorized water vehicles. If you don’t have your own paddleboard, Maui B’s can deliver one to you.
Photo via byrontime/InstagramCrystal River
544 N. Citrus Ave., Crystal River
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 33 minutes
Whether you want to rent a beginner board or a standard board for anywhere between $25 and $85, Manatee Paddle offers daily rentals and tours for you to enjoy and explore Crystal River.
Photo via juliesmithxxvii/InstagramJB’s Fish Camp
859 Pompano Ave, New Smyrna Beach
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 21 minutes
Although you might have been there for the great seafood, JB’s also offers paddleboard rentals to explore the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Mosquito Lagoon. You could spot dolphins, manatees or a few exotic birds.
Photo via brianaii21/InstagramHomosassa River
5297 South Cherokee Way, Homosassa
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 38 minutes
Riversport Kayaks offers paddleboard rentals by the hour, for a half-day or full day rate. Plus, if you’re new to the sport, before you launch into these brackish waters, Riversport will give you a beginner lesson, free of charge.
Photo via evie.smith/InstagramFaver-Dykes State Park
1000 Faver-Dykes Road, St. Augustine
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 28 minutes
Launch from the docks in this state park and into the open waters of Pellicer Creek, the designated paddling trail. With wide banks and marsh grass, you definitely won’t find any shady canopies to block your sunbathing.
Photo via najalomstein/InstagramSunglow Pier
3701 S Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 13 minutes
This Daytona Beach staple as hosted the East Coast Paddleboard & SUP Surf Championships in the past, so you know the water has to be perfect for some gnarly paddlin’. Bring your own or rent one from a local surf shop.
Photo via girl.i.am/InstagramLake Virginia
Lake Virginia, Winter Park
Distance from Orlando: 22 minutes
The quiet surroundings of Winter Park allow for the perfect location to get on your board and paddle. Lake Virginia is part of the Winter Park Chain of Lakes, and like the other four lakes in the chain, Paddleboard Orlando offers its services for board rentals and tours at varying prices.
Photo via dogmomsofinsta/InstagramAlan Shepard Park
200 E Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach
Distance from Orlando: 57 minutes
Sure, rivers are great, but there’s a little more thrill involved when you’re paddling out through the waves of Cocoa Beach to sparkling waters. There’s no place to rent on the beach, but you can bring your own board or have one delivered by Maui B’s.
Photo via brittburkhalter/InstagramRainbow River
12121 River View, Dunnellon
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 26 minutes
Rainbow River charges by the trip, not the hour, so you’ll have as much time as you want to float at your leisure. Plus, they shuttle you upriver and then let you paddle your way back down, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost in the wilderness.
Photo via mindy_harris/InstagramDinky Dock
Dinky Dock Park, 410 Ollie Ave., Winter Park
Distance from Orlando: 24 minutes
Stand-up paddleboard tours are available through Paddleboard Orlando for varying prices, depending on which day you decide to go. After renting equipment on site, you can easily paddle down the still waters with a group.
Photo via supnewjersey/InstagramDeLeon Springs
601 Ponce de Leon Blvd., De Leon Springs
Distance from Orlando: 53 minutes
This national wildlife refuge offers paddleboard rentals throughout the year through the park’s concession. The water stays 72 degrees year-round, which means you can make any time paddlin’ time.
Photo via jrriggs85/InstagramShingle Creek
4266 W. Vine St., Kissimmee
Distance from Orlando: 34 minutes
Located in the headwaters of the Everglades, there’s plenty to see while paddling through these ecological forests brimming with wildlife (and alligators). Take a tour with friends or strike out on your own; Just remember there’s an $18 an hour rate.
Photo via thepaddlingcenter/InstagramFort Maitland Park
900 S. Orlando Ave, Maitland
Distance from Orlando: 13 minutes
This dock was used as a supply depot during the Second Seminole War. Now, it’s used as a place to launch small boats into the calm, serene waters of Lake Maitland, perfect for a quiet afternoon in the sun. If you don’t have your own paddleboard, Maui B’s will provide one.
Photo via blueeyedbrittany/InstagramLake Ivanhoe Park
57 S. Ivanhoe Blvd.
Distance from Orlando: 12 minutes
A backdrop of buildings against the still water near the I-4 bridge is a perfect destination to go paddleboarding. Lake Ivanhoe lies in the heart of downtown Orlando and offers a great area to spend a day on the board.
Photo via grantgentry/InstagramWekiva Island
1014 Miami Springs Drive, Longwood
Distance from Orlando: 31 minutes
Going at a steady pace, guests are welcome to paddle along the calming river at Wekiva Island. Although you can bring and use your own boards for a fee, there is equipment available to rent on site for either $30, $35 or $40, depending on what time you go and how long you plan to stay.
Photo via kimberlytigert/InstagramSilver Springs
5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Silver Springs
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 30 minutes
To get a feel for the water at Silver Springs, private paddleboard tours can be booked with Paddleboard Orlando. For $65 per person, a group of 10 people minimum is able to paddle on the 10- to 15-foot deep water to explore the fish, birds, turtles and even monkeys.
Photo via flipflops365/InstagramPort Orange Causeway Park
93 Dunlawton Ave., Port Orange
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 10 minutes
There are plenty of docks to launch your board from in Port Orange; The only problem is, you’ll have to bring your own or call up a rental place, like Maui B’s, to deliver one to you.
Photo via weasel0411/InstagramMerritt Island
635 S. Plumosa St., Merritt Island
Distance from Orlando: 56 minutes
After grabbing a paddle board from SoBe Surf Shop, you’ve got a few options. You can opt to take a guided tour, which offers you a great chance to chill with some of the island’s natural wildlife, like manatees and dolphins. Or, if you’re more of a lone wolf, you can tackle the waves yourself, but make sure you check the hourly rental rate.
Photo via iamchrisandrew/InstagramNew Smyrna Beach
177 N. Causeway, New Smyrna Beach
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 6 minutes
It is pretty common to see paddleboarders at New Smyrna Beach. To ensure you have the right equipment to join the boarders, make sure to visit Paddleboard New Smyrna, which offers rentals, lessons and tours ranging from $35 to $75.
Photo via kathleenbet/InstagramConstitution Bicentennial Park
801 W Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach
Distance from Orlando: 58 minutes
After having your rental board delivered by Maui B’s, paddle your way through the thousands of mangrove islands found in Constitution Bicentennial Park, which manatees, dolphins, rays and waterbirds call home.
Photo via Constitution Bicentennial Park/Facebook
