Quick Details
Departure Location: Dante Fascell Visitor Center in Homestead, FL
Duration: 3.5 hours
Start Time: 9:00 AM & 1:30 PM
Age Limits: Age 12+ on shared trips. Private bookings can have paddlers ages 8 and older and the child must use a double kayak with an adult.
Important Information:
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- Price when booking is per passenger.
- For the safety of all our guests, there is a maximum weight limit of 275 for all in-water-activities. This includes the following activities: kayaking, paddle boarding (SUPs), snorkeling, and SCUBA diving. There is not a weight limit for guests who are not engaging in an in-water-activity.
- For the safety of all our guests, guests must be able to climb a four-step vertical ladder without assistance. This ladder will be used to get on and off the boat when participating in an in-water-activity.
- The vessel used on this trip has a maximum capacity of 6 passengers. This is applicable to both our shared and private trips. Due to Coast Guard regulations, we cannot exceed more than 6 passengers on our vessel. Infants and children are also included in the passenger count.
- Before completing your booking, make sure to read our Cancellation Policy.
- Please read all information below including the drop down menus to learn more about this trip.
Passenger
Ages 12+, price per passenger
$ 109
Private Trip
Up to 6 passengers
$ 654
A guided paddle in the clear waters of Jones Lagoon!
Every day there is a guided paddle through the clear waters of Jones Lagoon where you can look for baby sharks, turtles, and the rare Roseate Spoonbill. Paddle over water that’s just inches deep and surrounded by amazing marine life.
We use stand up paddle boards or kayak’s while paddling Jones Lagoon. The paddle boards are preferred because their low profile allows you to see more beneath the water surface. Stand up paddle boards are very stable and can be knelt on or sat on like a kayak. In high wind days when the current is strong expect a good workout.
Institute staff help you with your gear and inform you about the history and local ecosystems. We want to share all the beauty this area has to offer and show how we can be good stewards of the National Park, preserving its unique habitats for generations to come. And most importantly, we can have a blast doing it!
Trips to the lagoon ride on a powerboat for about 30 minutes to arrive at the site. We supply either double kayaks or stand up paddleboards. We take with a maximum of 6 per guided paddle trip.
Guided paddles in Jones Lagoon are for active adults and children age 12 and older who are good swimmers. Ages 12 and older can select a stand up paddleboard. Younger participants that are ages 8 and older are welcomed when booking as a private trip and children ages 8-12 will need to book a double kayak and have an adult be in the double kayak with them. Programs that are suitable for all ages include both Heritage Cruises and the Sail, Paddle, Snorkel and Island Visit.
Locations and Trips:
Biscayne National Park trips start and end at the park headquarters at Convoy Point. Trips motor east across Biscayne Bay to Hurricane Creek on our USCG Inspected powerboat before continuing to the dive or paddle location. The trip travels by high speed boat in open waters where the jarring motion of the boat could cause problems for pregnant women, and those with recent surgeries or back injuries.
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This program will depart from Convoy Point located at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center in Homestead, FL. 9700 SW 328th Street Sir Lancelot Jones Way Homestead, FL 33033.
Check out our Transportation Page to learn more about transportation options for this location.
You will check-in at the bookstore that’s located on the second floor right next to the visitor center 30 mins before the trip departs. Please complete your waivers before your trip to ensure a smoother check-in process.
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For the safety of all our guests, there is a maximum weight limit of 275 for all in-water-activities. This includes the following activities: kayaking, paddle boarding (SUPs), snorkeling, and SCUBA diving.
There is not a weight limit for guests who are not engaging in an in-water-activity.
For the safety of all our guests, guests must be able to climb a four-step vertical ladder without assistance. This ladder will be used to get on and off the boat when participating in an in-water-activity.
Guided paddles in Jones Lagoon are for active adults and children that are 12 and older who are good swimmers. Ages 12 and older can select a stand-up paddleboard. Younger participants that are ages 8 and older are welcomed when booking as a private trip and children ages 8-12 will need to book a double kayak and have an adult in the double kayak with them.
All minors must be accompanied by an adult.
This Biscayne National Park paddling program is designed for active adults and children over 12 who are good paddlers (private trips open to ages 8 and older). Paddling in Jones Lagoon can be long and strenuous for some guest, we advise guest to have some paddle experience to go on this trip.
This program has activities that could cause problems for pregnant women, those with recent surgeries or back injuries, and can cause motion/sea sickness. To best accommodate you and make your trip safe and enjoyable, please make a note in your reservation or privately notify our captain or mate if:
- You are not an experienced paddler
- You have any recent surgeries
- You have any back injuries
- You have any medical conditions
- You are prone to motion/sea sickness
- You are pregnant
- You have any other concerns regarding your safety and health
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We recommend that you bring along the following:
- Water Bottle
- Snack
- Reef safe sunscreen
- Towel and extra clothes
You can also bring a small cooler and a bag with you on the boat. Please do not bring anything that you don’t wish to get wet. We recommend storing any valuables in a waterproof bag.
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For paddling in Jones Lagoon, we supply stand up paddleboards (SUPs). SUPs can be used sitting, kneeling, or standing and it’s very stable. We use SUPs in Jones Lagoon because their low profile allows you to see more beneath the water surface and will allow for better overall visibility of the wildlife. The calm waters in Jones Lagoon make using the paddle board easier and more stable.
We also supply inflatable Double Kayaks upon request. It must be used with two passengers. A single passenger can not use the double kayak on their own. Using the kayak won’t guarantee the best view of the underwater diversity in Jones Lagoon.
You will also be given a paddle and life vest to use while paddling.
Boat Information
- The boat will be 23 ft long and holds a max of 6 passengers. During the trip the boat stays in the bay the whole time, this will lessen the chance of motion sickness.
- We cannot add an additional passenger on this boat due to Coast Guard safety regulations. Small toddlers and babies still count as a passenger.
- There is a cooler with extra water on the boat, and a cooler to store snacks as well. You can also leave your stuff on the boat while snorkeling, but there is a chance that it will get wet, we highly suggest storing anything that you don’t wish to get wet in a drybag.
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Online waivers will be sent with the booking confirmation. No printing necessary. You can even complete the waivers on your phone! Adults over the age of 18 must complete and submit their own waiver. Minors ages 17 and younger must have a parent or legal guardian complete and submit a waiver on behalf of the minor. For snorkeling activities there are separate waivers for adults and minors, please be sure you are completing the appropriate waiver. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. To complete the waiver process, you will need to confirm your email address through and email that will be sent by Smartwaiver.
Paddling is an exciting and demanding activity. When performed correctly, applying correct techniques, it is relatively safe. However, there are certain medical conditions that increase risk. If you have a medical condition described on the Medical Statement or any other condition that would be contrary to safe participation in any in-water activities, you must provide documentation that you sought the advice of a physician prior to engaging in paddling activities.
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What is the difference between Jones Lagoon Paddle Clear Calm Waters vs Paddle the Mangroves and Seagrass Meadows?
- The Jones paddle takes place in a remote location that is a 45-minute ride by powerboat each way from the visitor center. It is a special and unique place. The paddle from the visitor center is very nice and we do see wildlife, but not as diverse as Jones Lagoon.
- The paddle from the Visitor Center is shorter and kid friendly, in Jones you cover more distance, and it requires you to be above 8 on a double kayak or 12 on your own on a paddleboard 12 and older.
- Only Jones Lagoon Paddle will use stand up paddleboards (SUPs) and inflatable kayaks, Paddle the Mangroves and Seagrass Meadows will use hard plastic kayaks.
Why is there an age restriction on your tours?
- Our institutes want everyone to be safe and comfortable on our trips, so we put age limits to control fatigue and ability to do the activity.
- The age limit for Jones Lagoon Paddle and Snorkel and Paddle Eco-Adventure is 12 and older because the paddle length is at least 1.5 miles long and guest must keep up with each other on this tour for everything to go smoothly. Private bookings can have ages of 8 and older and the child must use a double kayak with an adult.