Kayakers on Western Lake. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors
Kayaks an easy fit for anyone interested in outdoor fun
Kayakers on Western Lake. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors
With the Gulf of Mexico, the Choctawhatchee Bay and numerous lakes, creeks and rivers in the area, kayaking is a popular sport in the Panhandle. And with little maintenance cost after purchase, kayaking can be enjoyed by most anyone.
There are two basic configurations to choose from, the traditional cockpit style and the sit on top. In a variety of lengths, kayaks range from 8 – 20 ft. and weigh in anywhere from 40 – 70 lbs. Deciding which kayak to choose depends on the type of paddle experience one is looking for.
The Kayak Experience in Destin has both cockpit and sit on kayak types. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors
Marlice Brown of The Kayak Experience in Destin explained that the cockpit style offers a faster paddle and drier experience when using a skirt.
The Kayak Experience sells about equal amounts of both types, boasting a variety of manufacturers such as Old Town, Ocean Kayak, Necky, Wilderness Systems and Eddyline. The Kayak Experience personnel are experienced paddlers who assist buyers in finding the perfect fit.
The first Saturday of every month the store offers demonstrations, and anyone interested can try out any model of interest. The store also sells books, maps trailers and accessories.
Yellowfin Ocean Sports sells and rents a variety of kayaks including several geared for fishing. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors
Fishing kayaks have also become very popular, and can be accessorized with items such as live wells for bait and rod-holders.
Yellowfin Ocean Sports in Seagrove Beach offers both rentals and sales of a variety of kayaks, with a specialty in providing kayaks for the fisherman.
Yellowfin offers rentals and sales of Hobie and Ocean Kayaks, along with supplies for fishing excursions, live bait and tackle.
Yellowfin also offers daily fishing reports for the surf, inshore and the bay, and a variety of other services including suiting people up with an appropriate charter for fishing excursions.
Kayak sales and rentals
There are several dealers offering kayaks for purchase or rent in the South Walton and Destin area.
Yellowfin Ocean Sports
Seagrove Beach
(850) 231-9024
Rent: Hobie or Ocean Kayaks
Sell new and used Hobie, Ocean Kayak, Old Town Kayaks
Satellite rental location inside Grayton General Store at Grayton Corners
Rentals: Sit on top Ocean Kayak, Hobie Kayaks
Big Daddy’s
Blue Mountain Beach
(850) 622-1165
Sell new and used kayaks
Free delivery and pick-up
Sales only
The Kayak Experience
Destin
(850) 837-1577
Sales new and used: Old Town, Ocean Kayak, Necky, Eddyline, Wilderness Systems
Sit-in, sit-on fishing kayaks
Orvis
Grand Boulevard, Santa Rosa Beach
(850) 650-2174
Sit-in, sit-on fishing kayaks
Bass Pro Shop
Destin Commons
(850) 269-6200
Sit-in, sit-on, various types
Sunjammers Watersports
315 N Hwy 79
Panama City Beach, Florida 32413
(850) 235-2281
Guided tours in South Walton
Into the Wild Eco-Diversions in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida offers a unique guide service accommodating anyone looking to explore nature in the Florida Panhandle.
You can reach Into The Wild Eco Diversions at (850) 974-2258.
Paddle clubs
West Florida Canoe and Kayak Club – http://www.clubkayak.com/wfckc/
Paddle fishing clubs:
• Gulf Coast Kayak Fishing Association – http://www.gulfcoastkayakfishing.com/
• Forgotten Coast Kayak Anglers: http://www.fcka.net
More paddle information
• Florida Paddling Trails Association – http://www.floridapaddlingtrails.com/
• To learn more about kayaking and canoeing http://www.americancanoe.org/
Finding where to paddle in Northwest Florida
West Florida Canoe and Kayak Club has a great forum that offer ratings and shares experiences on 46 different paddling locations in Northwest Florida:
http://www.clubkayak.com/greenwave/
The State of Florida Office of Greenways and Trails offers maps to the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/paddling/Segments/Segment%20Home.htm
State Parks in Walton County
Grayton Beach State Park Western Lake: http://www.floridastateparks.org/graytonbeach
Other Greenways and Trails Paddling in Northwest Florida:
From West to East:
Blackwater River Northwest of Crestview
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/panhandlewest/trails/blackwater_jackson_red.htm
Coldwater Creek North of Milton:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/designated_paddle/Coldwater_guide.pdf
Rental Outfitters
Adventures Unlimited – 850-623-6197
http://www.adventuresunlimited.com/
Blackwater Canoe Rental – 1-800-967-6789
http://blackwatercanoe.com/
Action on Blackwater – 850-537-2997
http://www.actiononblackwater.com/
Shoal River Canoe Trail near Crestview:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/panhandlewest/trails/shoal.htm
The Shoal River Canoe Trail is officially designated as part of Florida’s Statewide System of Greenways and Trails. Twisting and turning through a remote part of the western Panhandle, the Shoal River trail covers 27 miles. Few indications of civilization are evident as you paddle through forests of maple, oak, gum, and cypress. Along the trail, creeks broaden into small lily-covered pools that provide excellent fishing. Sandbars along the bends of the river make good campsites. This narrow river is usually 3-4 feet deep, and water levels do not generally fluctuate more than 3 feet.
Yellow River Canoe Trail near Crestview/Niceville
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/panhandlewest/trails/yellow.htm
The Yellow River Canoe Trail is officially designated as part of Florida’s Statewide System of Greenways and Trails. Located in the western Panhandle near Crestview, this trail offers 56 miles of very pleasant paddling. The Yellow River drains the state’s highest elevation. The current is faster than many other Florida rivers because of the river’s steeper descent to sea level. The upper section of the trail is bordered by hardwood forests and high sandy banks. Further downstream, the river widens and becomes more placid as it meanders through cypress-gum swamps. Sandbars can be found on some of the curves. Long sections of the trail, particularly on the upper section, are undeveloped, offering the paddler a glimpse of the Florida early explorers might have seen. Observing wildlife, particularly birds, is an enjoyable part of paddling this trail. Look for turtles sunning on logs over the water, or the large, long-legged wading birds such as the great egret as it stands motionless in the shallow water.
Econfina Creek Paddling Trail north of Panama City
Click here for PDF file: econfina_guide1
Outfitters
Econfina Creek Canoe Livery,
5641-A Porter Bend Rd.,
Youngstown, FL 32466
850-722-9032
Holmes Creek Paddling Trail in Vernon
(Access Point 1) Put-in: Wayside park off SR 79 in Vernon
Click here for PDF file: holmes_guide
Posted under Eco tourism adventure, Fishing, Kayak/Canoe, Nature, Outdoor Family Fun
This post was written by Walton Outdoors on April 8, 2010
looking for a sit on top kayak. My husband has a Mainstream Renegade (Mainstream is no longer in business) and we would love to have another one or one very similar to it. Any suggestions?
Check the kayak shops… Yellowfin, Big Daddy’s and Kayak Experience mentioned in the story, or go on Craigslist, that is I found a good bargain.
My husband is from Crestview,FL and has kayaked/explored many of the creeks, bays, and inlets in the panhandle. He has kept a journal of most of his day trips and loves kayaking.