2-Hour Full Moon Paddle at Talbot Islands State Park

Two hours paddling prehistoric salt marsh, with a guide who knows what moves in the water.

A two-hour kayak or stand-up paddle activity on Amelia Island's salt marsh at Talbot Islands State Park, guided by a licensed instructor who leads you through the Timucuan Trail's waterways to spot local birds and aquatic life. Equipment (kayak, paddle board or tandem option) life jackets, paddles and a waterproof bag for your phone and keys are all included. The guide briefs you on safety and paddle technique before you launch.

The experience

You launch from the southern edge of Amelia Island into the Timucuan Trail, a National Preservation area where the salt marsh opens up and the noise of the mainland falls away. The guide positions you to watch for birds and the aquatic life that moves through the shallows: herons, egrets, mullet, the small creatures that make the marsh work. Two hours is long enough to feel the rhythm of paddling without exhaustion, and short enough that the day's other plans stay intact.

The paddle itself is the point. You choose between a single kayak, a tandem kayak if you're going with someone, or a stand-up paddle board, depending on what feels right to you. The guide handles the safety briefing and shows you the paddle stroke before you leave the shore, so you're not figuring it out as you go. A waterproof bag keeps your phone and car keys dry, and the US Coast Guard life jackets are non-negotiable. They're part of the setup, not an afterthought.

The guides here speak English and Spanish, and they're trained to move at a pace that lets you actually see what's around you instead of just covering distance. The whole outing is built around the idea that you're paddling through a landscape that existed long before roads and houses, and the guide's job is to keep you safe while you're in it.

What’s included

• Kayak or stand-up paddle board rental (single, tandem, or board).
• paddles.
• US Coast Guard approved life jacket.
• waterproof bag for personal items.
• paddle instruction and safety briefing.
• licensed guide in English or Spanish.

Options for this experience

3 options

Tandem KayakGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 23 Nov · 20:30A kayak with room for two paddlers seated side by side.

Stand Up Paddle BoardGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 23 Nov · 20:30A board, fitted with a leash, for one paddler.

Single KayakGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 23 Nov · 20:30A kayak with a single seat for one paddler.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to ThursdayDeparts at 20:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (under 18)

GroupUp to 28

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by PADL

Is this one for you?Choose the tandem kayak if you're paddling with someone and want to move as a pair; pick the single kayak for independence; go with the stand-up board if you want a different physical challenge and a higher vantage point on the marsh. The two-hour window fits a morning or afternoon slot without eating your whole day.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 18).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the single kayak, tandem kayak, and stand-up paddle board options?

The single kayak seats one person; the tandem kayak seats two and is good if you're paddling with a partner or want to share the experience; the stand-up paddle board is a different technique altogether, standing instead of sitting, and gives you a different view of the marsh. You pick whichever matches your comfort and what you want to do.

What wildlife will I actually see on the paddle?

Birds (herons, egrets and others) are the most common sighting, along with aquatic life like mullet and other fish that live in the salt marsh. What you see depends on the time of day and the season, but the guide knows where to look and what moves through the Timucuan Trail.

Do I need paddle experience to book this?

No. The guide gives you a safety briefing and shows you the paddle stroke before you launch, so beginners start here. The two-hour duration and the salt marsh setting are gentle enough for anyone who can sit in a kayak or stand on a board.

Is this the same as a full moon paddle, or is that a separate tour?

The title references the full moon, but the paddle runs whenever you book it: the experience doesn't change with the lunar cycle. You're paddling the same salt marsh and spotting the same wildlife regardless of the moon phase.

What do I need to bring, and what's provided?

Bring a change of clothes or a towel, sunscreen, and water to drink. The paddle board or kayak, paddles, life jacket, and waterproof bag for your phone and keys are all included. The guide handles the rest.