Fort Lauderdale Canals Tour: Paddle the Mansions

Paddle past the yachts and mansions that make Fort Lauderdale's canals famous

A guided paddle board or kayak tour through Fort Lauderdale's Venice of America canals, where you navigate past mega-yachts, multi-million-dollar mansions, and tropical palms while spotting manatees, herons, dolphins and other wildlife. The tour runs 1.5 to 2 hours with an expert guide, complimentary photos, and access to self-guided trails and a historic art museum on land.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided tour of Fort Lauderdale canals

• See yachts and mansions
• Pass by Las Olas Boulevard
• View mega-yachts and landscapes
• Explore historic downtown canals
• Experience Venice of America ambiance
• Pass Olympic Training Center and Museum
• See scenic bridge with Guy Harvey painting

The experience

You choose between a single kayak, double kayak, or stand-up paddle board, then launch into the canals that wind through Fort Lauderdale's most exclusive neighborhoods. The guide leads you past the mega-yachts and waterfront estates that line these waterways: Royal Palms that cost as much as $1,000 per foot, historic downtown architecture, and the scenic bridge with its giant Guy Harvey painting. This is the original tour operator's route through the canals, using passages that larger water taxis cannot access.

Wildlife sightings are common: great blue herons, green herons, egrets, turtles, and tarpon move through the water, and manatees, dolphins, or the local wild monkey may appear. You get complimentary photos and videos taken during the paddle, so you leave with images of the day. The tour is designed for beginners and welcomes first-time paddlers, though a moderate level of physical fitness helps.

After paddling, you have self-guided access to the grounds, trails, and gardens, plus the historic art museum galleries and studio on land. Water shoes or other footwear are required to walk these areas. If you want to refuel, water, coconut water, and Gatorade are available for purchase at $2–$3 each. Private tours for groups of six or more can be arranged in advance.

What’s included

• Choice of single kayak, double kayak, or stand-up paddle board with paddle and life jacket.
• expert guide leading the paddle through the canals.
• complimentary photos and videos taken during the tour.
• self-guided access to trails, grounds, and gardens.
• self-guided entry to the historic art museum galleries and studio.

Options for this experience

3 options

Single KayakGuide in English · 08:30Equipment included

Double KayakGuide in English · 08:30Equipment included

Paddle board, stand upGuide in English · 08:30Equipment included

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

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to20h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

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.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Sunrise Paddleboards/ Live Blue Inc.

Is this one for you?Choose the paddle board if you want to stand and scan for wildlife. Pick a kayak if you prefer a lower center of gravity or want to paddle with a partner in the double. The guided route takes you through the narrower canals that larger tour boats skip, so you get closer views of the mansions and a better chance of spotting manatees and dolphins than you would from a standard water taxi.

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Top questions

What wildlife might I see paddling through the Venice of America canals?

Manatees, dolphins, great blue herons, green herons, egrets, turtles, and tarpon are common sightings. The local wild monkey may also appear, though wildlife encounters vary by season and time of day.

Do I need paddling experience to join this tour?

No. The tour welcomes beginners and first-time paddlers. A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended, and the guide leads the group through the canals at a manageable pace.

What's included in the tour besides the paddle?

Your choice of kayak or stand-up paddle board comes with paddle and life jacket; the expert guide leads the paddle; complimentary photos and videos are taken during the tour; and you get self-guided access to the grounds, trails, gardens, and the historic art museum galleries and studio afterward.

How long does the whole experience take?

The paddle itself runs 1.5 to 2 hours. Self-guided time on the grounds and in the museum is not timed, so you can spend as long as you like exploring after the paddle.

What should I bring or wear?

Wear water shoes or other footwear for walking the grounds afterward. Bring or apply sunscreen before you go. It is not provided. A waterproof phone case or dry bag is useful if you want to protect your own phone or valuables during the paddle.