Pensacola boasts an abundance of waterways, including bays, winding bayous, meandering rivers, and along the sugar-white sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, creating the ultimate kayaking location. Over the years, we have spent countless hours exploring these waters, and here, we have compiled a comprehensive list of areas to launch and explore by kayak. Use this page to discover kayak launches, view maps, and learn more about kayaking in Pensacola.
What If I Don’t Have a Kayak?
If you don’t have a kayak, there are many places to rent kayaks, and Outdoor Gulf Coast is one of those locations. See an area you want to kayak? Let us know, and we can deliver a kayak to you!
Looking for kayak rentals? View our prices and packages.
Where to Kayak in Perdido Key
Southwest Pensacola and Perdido Key have many nice areas to kayak. From Big Lagoon to the Perdido River, many diverse ecosystems exist.
- Big Lagoon State Park – SW Pensacola / Perdido area – This park just outside Pensacola has a nice kayak launch. This is a favorite. You’ll see many birds in this area. The park also rents kayaks.
- Perdido Key Boat Launch – SW Pensacola
- Johnson Beach – Perdido Key
- Galvez Landing – Perdido Key
- River Road Kayak Launch – Perdido Key
- White Island – SW Pensacola – Bayou Granda or Davenport Bayou
- Linear Park – SW Pensacola – Bayou Grande
- Navy Point – SW Pensacola – Bayou Grande
- Gibb’s Point – SW Pensacola – Bayou Grande
- Dickson Park – SW Pensacola – Bayou Grande
Where to Kayak in Northwest Pensacola
Fillingim Landing (Perdido River)- The Pipes (Perdido River)
- Ruby’s Fish Camp – Florida/Alabama Line – (Perdido River)
- Wilson B. Robertson Boat and Kayak Launch
Where to Kayaking in Northeast Pensacola
- Simpson River – NE Pensacola / Pace
- Swamphouse Marina – NE Pensacola (Escambia River)
- Thompson Bayou at UWF – NE Pensacola
Where to Kayak in South Pensacola
- Bartram Park – Downtown Pensacola
- Bruce Beach – (currently closed for construction) located in downtown Pensacola
- Bayview Park – SE Pensacola – Located on Bayou Texar
- Bayou Texar – SE Pensacola – Located on Bayou Texar – Public boat launch
- 17th Avenue Boat Launch – SE Pensacola – Pensacola Bay/Bayou Texar
Where to Kayak in Gulf Breeze
- Woodland Park – Gulf Breeze
- Shoreline Park – Gulf Breeze
- Deadman’s Island – Gulf Breeze
Where to Kayak in Milton and Bagdad
Blackwater River Kayak Launch
- Deaton Bridge Road / Blackwater River State Park (East of Milton/Pensacola)
- Bryant Bridge Road
- Blackwater River [external map]
- Carpenter Park – Milton
- Old River Kayak Launch – Milton
- Oyster Pile Boat Launch
Mary Esther
- Misty Water Park – Mary Esther
Other River Maps
- Coldwater Creek [external map]
- Econfina Creek Canoe Trail [external map – Panama city Area]
- Shoal River [external map – Crestview area]
- Juniper Creek [external map – Milton area]
Northwest Florida Kayaking Articles:
Great article. There is an abundance of rivers in the panhandle and all of northwest florida. The awesome beaches here often seem to override the natural beauty just north of the coast. Definitely worth the effort to venture north and enjoy..
Thanks Kevin! There are so many beautiful areas to explore in northwest Florida.