Quick Details
Embark on a guided kayak tour through the Wild & Scenic Loxahatchee River, one of Florida’s most untouched and breathtaking natural gems. Launching from Riverbend Park in Jupiter, this unforgettable adventure takes you beneath towering cypress trees and past lush riverbanks, with a local guide leading the way. Perfect for beginners and nature lovers alike, it’s your chance to spot wildlife, learn about the area’s rich ecology, and experience Old Florida at its finest—no experience needed!
Hidden Florida: Guided Kayak Tour on the Wild & Scenic Loxahatchee River
Journey into one of Florida’s last truly wild places—with the only authorized outfitter on the Lower Loxahatchee!
Paddle through a living postcard of Old Florida on the Wild & Scenic Loxahatchee River, one of only two rivers in Florida designated by the National Wild & Scenic River System. This guided 2-hour kayak tour begins at Riverbend Park and flows downstream through a breathtaking cypress canopy, where ancient trees and rich biodiversity offer an unforgettable experience.
Jupiter Outdoor Center is the only outfitter authorized to conduct guided commercial tours on this protected section of the Loxahatchee River, making this a truly unique and exclusive way to experience this hidden gem. With decades of experience, our expert guides bring the river’s ecology, history, and wildlife to life in a safe and enriching way.
After your kayak tour, keep exploring with a complimentary same-day bike rental for up to two hours. We’ll get you fitted with a bike and provide access to a downloadable trail map so you can explore Riverbend Park’s trails, lakes, and historic landscape at your own pace.
Perfect for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone looking to experience even more of Florida’s wild side—by water and by land.
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- Single or tandem kayak rental + single speed beach cruiser or kid’s bike
- Tour Guide for kayak tour
- Paddle and life jacket
- Safety briefing and paddling tips before launch
- Portage support if required due to water conditions
- Bike, helmet, basket
- Downloadable map of the bike trails
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- Drinking water & snacks (available for purchase at check-in)
- Dry bag for phones, wallets, keys (available for purchase or rent)
- Gratuity for your guide (optional but always appreciated)
- Towels and a change of clothes (optional)
- Sunscreen, bug spray, or other personal items (optional)
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- Arrive 10-15 minutes early – Check in at Jupiter Outdoor Center’s large thatched Chickee Hut surrounded by bikes- a few hundred feet inside the entrance of Riverbend Park.
- Gear up – Receive your kayak, paddle, life vest, and a quick orientation.
- Launch on the Loxahatchee River – Begin your guided paddle through a lush cypress canopy.
- Explore & learn – Your guide will share fascinating facts about the area’s history, ecosystem, and wildlife.
- Pause & connect – Take in the scenery, snap some photos, or enjoy a quiet moment on the water.
- Return to launch – The tour finishes where it began. There are outdoor showers and a changing area if you wish to change or rinse off.
- After the Kayak Tour – Your guide will bring you to the bike area, where you’ll be fitted with a bike and provided with a downloadable trail map and route information.
- Complimentary Self Guided Bike Rental – Set out on your complimentary self-guided bike rental for up to two hours and explore Riverbend Park at your own pace.
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Paddle a federally designated Wild & Scenic River with the exclusive authorized tour outfitter on the lower Loxahatchee.
Glide beneath towering cypress trees through a pristine Old Florida landscape.
Watch for turtles, herons, otters, manatees, and other native wildlife along the way.
Learn about the river’s ecology and history from an experienced local guide.
Extend your adventure with a complimentary same-day bike rental for up to two hours to explore Riverbend Park at your own pace. Simply choose the option during checkout.
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Check-in details
Arrive 10–15 minutes before your scheduled time to allow for check-in and equipment fitting. Complete a waiver before arrival if possible for faster check-in. Check in at the Jupiter Outdoor Center chickee hut inside Riverbend Park: Riverbend Park, 9060 W. Indiantown Road, Jupiter, FL 33478.
What to bring
- Drinking water (available for purchase on-site)
- Sunscreen (available on-site)
- Dry bag for phone, wallet, keys (available for rent or purchase)
- Hat and sunglasses (with strap or retainer recommended)
- Towel and change of clothes
Special requirements
All participants must complete a waiver before beginning activities. Participants are required to wear a life jacket while on the water.
Restrictions
Children under 15 must be in a tandem kayak with an adult.
Extras
On-site items and souvenirs available for purchase include snacks and beverages, hats and sun-protective gear, towels and dry bags, sunglass straps and waterproof phone cases, and Jupiter Outdoor Center merchandise.
Disclaimers
All participants are required to wear a life jacket while on the water. Tours run rain or shine but may be rescheduled due to severe weather, unsafe river conditions, or other safety concerns. Wildlife sightings are common but never guaranteed. Please notify Jupiter Outdoor Center in advance of any medical conditions, allergies, or special needs that may affect your experience.
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Do I need kayaking experience to join?
- No experience is needed; the guide provides basic paddling instruction and ensures a safe trip for all.
What should I wear and bring?
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that can get wet and possibly dirty. Drinking water
What if it rains?
- Tours run rain or shine; in case of lightning or unsafe river conditions we will notify you and reschedule or issue a refund.
Is there a minimum age to participate?
- No minimum age is required, though the tour is recommended for ages 4 and up; participants must be able to sit in a kayak for up to 2 hours and follow safety instructions.
Will I see wildlife?
- Wildlife sightings are common—turtles, herons, osprey, otters, and manatees—but sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Are there alligators in the river?
- Yes, alligators are present in their natural habitat; they are generally shy and guides are trained to navigate safely. Encounters are rare and non-threatening.
Can I bring my own kayak?
- No; all participants must use Jupiter Outdoor Center–provided kayaks and gear for this tour.
How long is the tour?
- The guided kayak tour lasts about 2 hours, including check-in, safety briefing, and the paddle. The complimentary bike rental is self-guided, up to two hours. Make it as long or as short as you’d like!
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Cancellation, Change & Trip Protection Policy
Reservations are highly encouraged so we can properly prepare equipment, staffing, guides, and launch times for each guest experience.
Trip Protection
Guests may add Trip Protection for 15% of the reservation total at the time of booking.
Trip Protection gives guests added flexibility if plans change, weather looks questionable, or life throws a paddle into the spokes.
Trip Protection must be purchased at the time of booking and cannot be added after a reservation is made.
With Trip Protection
Guests who purchase Trip Protection may cancel or reschedule within the applicable notice window and choose either:
- 75% refund to the original payment method
- 100% credit toward a future booking
Rentals
For kayak, canoe, bike, or other rental reservations:
Guests with Trip Protection may cancel or reschedule up to 2 hours before the scheduled reservation start time.
Date and time changes are free, subject to availability.
Guided Tours
For guided tours, eco tours, group tours, and specialty guided experiences:
Guests with Trip Protection may cancel or reschedule up to 24 hours before the scheduled tour start time.
Date and time changes are free, subject to availability.
Without Trip Protection
Guests who do not purchase Trip Protection may cancel or request a date/time change with at least 72 hours’ notice before the scheduled reservation start time.
Eligible cancellations without Trip Protection may receive:
- 100% credit toward a future booking
- No refunds are issued without Trip Protection
Cancellations or reschedule requests made less than 72 hours before the scheduled reservation time are not eligible for a refund, credit, or rescheduling.
Change Fee Policy
Guests may request a change to the date or time of their reservation, subject to availability.
Without Trip Protection
Approved date or time changes are subject to a $10 change fee per reservation.
Change requests must be made at least 72 hours before the scheduled reservation start time.With Trip Protection
The $10 change fee is waived for guests who purchased Trip Protection.
Trip Protection includes free date and time changes within the applicable notice window:
- Rentals: up to 2 hours before the reservation start time
- Guided tours: up to 24 hours before the tour start time
All changes are subject to availability.
Jupiter Outdoor Center reserves the right to limit repeated changes.
Late Arrival & No-Show Policy
Late arrivals may result in a shortened rental or tour experience and are not eligible for a refund, credit, or extended time.
Guests who do not show up for their reservation and do not contact Jupiter Outdoor Center within the applicable cancellation or change window will forfeit their reservation.
No-shows are not eligible for refunds, credits, or rescheduling.
Weather Policy
Jupiter Outdoor Center operates outdoor activities, so weather is part of the adventure. However, guest safety always comes first.
JOC may delay, reschedule, issue a credit, or cancel an activity due to unsafe weather or unsafe river conditions, including lightning, severe storms, high winds, flooding, or other conditions deemed unsafe by JOC staff.
Weather decisions are made by Jupiter Outdoor Center.
Rain alone does not automatically cancel a reservation.
Credits & Refunds
Credits are non-refundable and may be used toward a future Jupiter Outdoor Center booking.
Refunds, when applicable, are issued to the original payment method.The cost of Trip Protection is non-refundable.
Cancellation & Change Requests
All cancellation and change requests must be made in writing by email to [email protected] or through an approved Jupiter Outdoor Center communication channel.
Requests are based on the time the written request is received by JOC.
Camp Cancellation Policy
Camp registrations have a separate cancellation policy due to staffing, planning, limited space, and advance preparation.
Please review the cancellation terms listed on the specific camp registration page before booking.