Kayaking in Everglades National Park: Tandem Rental

Two paddlers, one kayak, mangrove tunnels that open onto open water.

Rent a tandem kayak in Everglades National Park and paddle at your own pace through one of the largest protected wilderness areas in the United States. The rental includes a double kayak, paddles, life jackets, and a bilge pump. You choose between 2, 4, 8, or 24-hour rental windows. Free admission to Everglades City Boardwalk comes with the rental. This is self-guided exploration, not a tour. You control where you go, how long you linger, and which waterways you follow.

The experience

You arrive at the rental point and get a tandem kayak rigged and ready. The boat seats two paddlers side by side, which means you're not following a guide's route or keeping pace with a group. You set the rhythm together. Paddles and life jackets are included, as is a bilge pump in case water gets into the boat. The rental window you pick (2, 4, 8, or 24 hours) is yours to spend however you want: a quick paddle through the mangrove tunnels near the launch, a full afternoon exploring the estuaries, or a dawn-to-dusk run through the park's remote coastal landscapes.

The Everglades from water level is a different park than the one from the boardwalk. Mangrove tunnels narrow the view to a green corridor overhead, then open suddenly onto wide water where dolphins surface and manatees move slowly through the shallows. Ospreys, herons, egrets, and sea turtles are all here. You'll see them when you're moving slowly enough to notice, which is the whole point of paddling instead of being driven. There's no schedule pushing you forward and no guide narrating what you're looking at. You watch, you linger, you move on when you're ready.

The rental includes free admission to Everglades City Boardwalk, so you can walk the shore before or after paddling. Suitable for all fitness levels means the paddling itself is accessible, though the distance and the pace are entirely up to you. The tandem setup works for couples, friends, or family members who want to share the boat and the navigation.

What’s included

• Tandem kayak for two paddlers.
• paddles and personal flotation devices (life jackets).
• bilge pump.
• free admission to Everglades City Boardwalk.
• your choice of 2, 4, 8, or 24-hour rental window.

Options for this experience

3 options

4-hour double kayak rentalAvailable from 12 Nov · 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00Lasts 4 hours

8-Hour Double RentalAvailable from 12 Nov · 10:00Lasts 8 hours

24-Hour Double RentalAvailable from 12 Nov · 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00Lasts 1 day

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00Last departure this season: 31 Dec

Book up toStart time

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 today

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Everglades Adventures- Guest Services Inc

Is this one for you?Pick the rental length that matches your schedule: a 2-hour window works for a first-time paddle or an afternoon break, while 8 or 24 hours lets you reach the remote coastal areas where wildlife is most active and you're not rushing between stops.

Top questions

Can I rent a kayak if I've never paddled before?

Yes. The rental is suitable for all fitness levels, and a tandem kayak is stable and straightforward to paddle. You control the pace entirely. There's no guide setting a speed or a group to keep up with.

What wildlife might I see while paddling through the Everglades?

Dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, ospreys, herons, egrets, and countless other native species live in the park's waterways. You're most likely to spot them in the mangrove estuaries and coastal areas, especially if you paddle slowly and pause to watch.

How do I choose between the 2, 4, 8, or 24-hour rental?

Pick the window that fits your day. Two hours is enough for a short paddle through the mangrove tunnels near the launch. Four hours lets you explore deeper into the estuaries. Eight hours or a full day opens up the remote coastal landscapes and gives you time to follow wildlife without rushing.

Is the National Park entrance fee included in the kayak rental?

The rental includes free admission to Everglades City Boardwalk. The National Park entrance pass is separate and not included with the kayak rental.

What's included with the tandem kayak rental?

The rental includes the tandem kayak itself, paddles for both paddlers, personal flotation devices (life jackets), and a bilge pump. You also get free access to Everglades City Boardwalk.