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Explore SoFlo

Updated: Jul 13, 2021

Where is the best area to explore some of the beautiful and diverse ecosystems South Florida has to offer? One of, if not the very best overall kayaking, paddle-boarding and snorkeling destinations in South Florida, is located in Boynton Beach, Florida. When you think paddle board Palm Beach you should be zeroing in on the city of Boynton Beach because it is a gem among gems in sunny #SoFlo and the ICW trails located there are second to none! Here you will find a bustling and growing city with great eateries, shops, family friendly parks, as well as a boating, fishing, kayaking, paddle-boarding and snorkeling paradise! For access to Boynton Beach’s water sports activities, look no further than PaddleAwaySports. PaddleAwaySports is a five star company offering water sports recreational activities such as kayaking, paddle-boarding and snorkeling. With over a decade of experience launching guests on self-guided and guided excursions, PaddleAwaySports will make sure you not only have an enjoyable experience, but more importantly a safe one! Why is this particular area of the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway) such a great environment to explore? It’s because of its many different destinations, the abundance of marine life and indigenous/non-indigenous wildlife. From PaddleAwaySports launch site located in Harvey Oyer Park there is a north and a south trail. To the north is our Bird Sanctuary Trail. To the south is our Three Bridge Trail. The north trail leads you by Audubon Island which is a bird sanctuary and north along the east shoreline of the ICW. Along the way you will see indigenous marine life and wildlife as well as multi-million dollar mansions, yachts and sports fishing boats. Depending on the amount of time you’d like to spend on the water you can navigate 2.5 miles ( 5 miles round trip ) to the north under a small bridge dubbed “Toady Bridge” by locals and through a narrow channel that meanders through Lantana Preserve. This excursion will take between 3 1/2 and 4 hours. It is offered as both a self-guided excursion and as a guided tour. A shorter version of this route is available, and PaddleAwaySports will make sure to give you a complete orientation on how to navigate this route safely. The south Trail will offer you similar sites. You will navigate through a very affluential city called Ocean Ridge, where you will see multi-million dollar homes, yachts and sailboats, eventually making your way to Ocean Ridge Natural Area North. It is 1.5 miles to this natural area, and from this natural area you can navigate an additional half mile south to Ocean Ridge Natural Area South. On your return trip from Ocean Ridge Natural Area South, you can explore Mangrove Park when the tide is right. To explore the complete south trail it will take you between 3 1/2 and 4 hours. A shorter version of this route is also available, and PaddleAwaySports will make sure to give you a complete orientation on how to navigate this route safely. Because if it’s close proximity to the Boynton Beach Inlet the water in this area of the ICW is crystal clear during the incoming tide and launching from PaddleAwaySports launch site allows you to enjoy these Caribbean blue waters. another advantage this location is the fact that wife and from the Atlantic ocean through tends to congregate condensed area. Once you begin to move either north or south PaddleAwaySports water turns more brackish and the visit visibility becomes poor. This means further away from the Boynton Beach Inlet you are you lose the advantage of the influx of the clear blue Atlantic ocean water and the ability to see marine life that might be there. From PaddleAwaySports launch site while on your adventure you might encounter the usual suspects like Manatees, Eagle Rays, Sea Turtles, White Herons, Great Blue Herons, Osprey and more! With a little luck you might even see exotic birds like Roseate Spoonbills and endangered and protected marine life such as Bottle Nose Dolphin!!! In conclusion, in less than a 5 mile stretch of the ICW you can see five beautiful natural areas that offer kayaking, paddle-boarding and snorkeling for you to enjoy to your heart’s content! Want to grab a bite to eat and a refreshment while you’re on the water? Stop by kayaker friendly restaurants like The Banana Boat, Two Georges or the oldest restaurant in Florida The Key Lime House. Through PaddleAwaySports you can reserve equipment rentals for self-guided excursions or book one of their many guided tours like a Sunset Kayak or Paddle-board Eco-tour, Sunrise Kayak or Paddle-board Eco-tour, Audubon Island Kayak and Snorkel Eco-tour or one of their special events like their Sunset/Moonlight Kayak or Paddle- board Eco-tour (conducted once a month). In conclusion there are many great areas to explore in sunny South Florida and many companies providing access to these areas, but none of these areas in West Palm Beach are better than the ICW in Boynton Beach and no company out there provides a better experience or better service than PaddleAwaySports!

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