With bays, rivers, canals, and other waterways, there are plenty of places to head out for a relaxing excursion or a higher intensity workout with a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard.  SW Florida offers more than one great place to launch your boat in the water—thanks to Lee County Parks & Recreation.

Manatee Park, located in  East Fort Myers—on the Orange River—is  “One of the best beginner launches in the county,” explains Mike Hammond, Calusa Blueway Coordinator.

There is shoreline access at the launch, and the highlights include calm water, winter manatee viewing, and on-site rentals at the Manatee Kayaking Company. The public launch is available during park hours. There are no dogs allowed. 

“While the manatees have gone for the summer, there is still a lot of wildlife to be observed along the Orange River.  Turtles, wading birds, and mullets are around all year,” adds Hammond.  

North Fort Myers offers a natural shoreline with a primitive launch at Telegraph Creek Preserve, with a creek that flows into the Caloosahatchee River.  The launch provides a quiet, wooded creek paddle with a narrow, winding waterway with lots of shade, and it’s perfect for short, peaceful trips.

“There’s a nice canopy of live oaks filled with airplants. In the summer, cows will often wade into the creek to cool off.  Lots of turtles and occasional alligators can be observed if you’re quiet,” says Hammond.  “You can rent kayaks from nearby Caloosahatchee Regional Park and have them delivered to the launch.” There is limited parking. 

Also in North Fort Myers is Judd Community Park. The launch is a simple concrete ramp offering easy access to Hancock Creek that leads to the Caloosahatchee River. There is free parking and the amenities are limited. “It offers a pretty paddle headed upstream into pine flatwoods. There are occasional manatees, woodpeckers, wading birds, osprey, and other wildlife that can be observed,” adds Hammond.

In Matlacha, there is Matlacha Park, with a dedicated paddlecraft launch and small beach, located at Matlacha Pass (Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve) and part of the Calusa Blueway. The easy launch offers direct access to mangrove tunnels and grass flats, as well as excellent fishing and wildlife viewing (dolphins, manatees, birds). There is a good amount of parking; however, paddling conditions can vary with winds and tide. There is some boat traffic to watch for near the main channels.

St. James City on Pine Island offers a small, sand launch at Tropical Point Park, located at Matlacha Pass. The launch provides direct access to mangrove tunnels and a chance to fish and enjoy wildlife. 

“The launch offers access to beautiful paddling along Pine Island’s eastern shoreline. Dolphins are often observed in the passes, and eagles are seen in the trees or harassing ospreys. There is limited parking,” explains Hammond. 

At Bunche Beach in Fort Myers, there is a kayak launch located near Kayak Excursions, where rentals and tours are available.  Bunche Beach is at San Carlos Bay and offers easy tidal flats paddling, also perfect for watching sunsets. “The launch offers access to amazing mangrove tunnels and is one of the best birding beaches in Florida.  Manatees are consistently observed just off the beach throughout the summer,” adds Hammond.

So, get out and get your non-motorized boat in the water.