The Happy Paddler: July 2026 ~ Volume 206

July 2026 ~ Volume 206

Inspiring. Meaningful. Adventure.

Place-based Learning in the Great Outdoors

Happy July, Paddlers!

We’ve officially reached that peak-summer point where the thermostat is cranking, the afternoon thunderstorms are clockwork, and the best dress code is a wide-brimmed hat and water shoes. While our group trips are on summer vacation, July is the perfect excuse to keep things beautifully simple. It’s the season for quiet, early-morning launches before the sun gets fierce, long floats down a shady spring run, and trading screen time for a front-row seat under a big, open sky. Behind the scenes, we’re busy tuning up the gears for our massive 2026–2027 season, but right now, we’re mostly focused on staying hydrated, finding the nearest 72-degree spring, and taking it easy. We hope you’re out there catching a cool breeze on your favorite local trail—stay safe, pack extra water, and enjoy the summer glide!

Read on for more about one of our favorite places to be in January, the Keys!

Happy paddling,

Your Paddle Florida team

2026-2027 Season

Santa Fe Springs Celebration - Our 100th Multi Day Trip!!

November 2-8, 2026

Come celebrate one of Florida's prettiest rivers, called "Holy Faith" by the Spanish, which lives up to its name with its quiet beauty. The Santa Fe boasts dozens of significant springs, including the celebrated paddleable Santa Fe tributary, the Ichetucknee River.

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Florida Keys Challenge - All Cabin Base Camp

January 18-24, 2027

Join us for a cold weather escape as we paddle the Florida Keys and explore some of the most beautiful turquoise waters in the State of Florida! This year’s trip includes both short and long paddling options, from our basecamp each day, and an educational component provided by Seacamp Association, Inc. From our homebase cabins at Seacamp Association, we will enjoy glorious sunrise and sunsets, and paddle out to explore the area each day. This is a spectacular location for us to call home during our visit to the Keys! Nature beckons you as you cross paths with Key deer, sea turtles, dolphins, and egrets. You will make memories grounded in nature, with an eco-friendly Florida charm in an area that is known as a paddling destination.

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Blackwater River & Coldwater Creek Experience - with some optional cabins!

February 22-28, 2027

The Blackwater River in Florida, particularly within Blackwater River State Park, is known for its unique contrast of dark, tannic water with pristine, white sandy beaches and large sandbars, making it a popular spot for swimming, paddling, and hiking. Coldwater Creek, a major tributary of the Blackwater River, also features sandy bottoms and broad sandbars, offering a similar experience for paddlers. Join us as we explore these riverways and Blackwater River State Forest close to Pensacola!

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Suwannee River Paddling Festival

March 19-21, 2027

With camping atop the bluff overlooking two beautiful rivers, our season-capping festival takes place at Suwannee River State Park near Live Oak. The weekend will offer supported 12 mile paddling options on both the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers, a concert featuring Paddle Florida's favorite musicians, and educational presentations from regional waterway experts.

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Suwannee River Wilderness Trail

March 19-24, 2027

Celebrate Florida's version of autumn on its most famous river. The trip spans 65 miles of the scenic Suwannee and a portion of the (northern) Withlacoochee, from Madison Blue Spring to Branford. This section features dozens of clear blue springs perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

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St. Augustine History Paddle

April 12-17, 2027

Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will find much to appreciate on Florida’s Historic Coast. With miles of protected water, and current and tidal flow to help in any direction, we will paddle to historic sites including downtown Castillo de San Marcos and the Bridge of Lions, Fort Mose, Fort Matanzas National Monument and the St Augustine Lighthouse. Our home base for this historic adventure will be at Anastasia State park, where you can explore Anastasia’s four miles of pristine beach in this idyllic location renowned for gorgeous white sand, the park is also rich in both sea and wildlife.

News Articles of Interest

Read Becoming an Iconic Reef Guardian: A Purposeful Dive in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Photo credit: Jay Clue

Mission: Iconic Reefs is a NOAA-led, partner-driven effort to restore structure, function, and resiliency to nearly three million square feet of coral reef in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary over the next two decades. Launched in 2019, the initiative represents a proactive shift in NOAA’s approach to coral reef conservation. It is designed to address the ongoing decline of a reef system that provides critical ecosystem services, supports a multi-billion-dollar tourism economy, and sustains tens of thousands of jobs each year.

But a restoration effort this large requires far more than coral nurseries and outplanting alone. As Chandler Wright, Mission: Iconic Reefs stewardship manager, explained, “Mission Iconic Reefs is a massive undertaking, and NOAA can’t do it alone. Iconic Reef Guardians helps us harness the power of the dive community to increase monitoring and get more eyes in the water, which is essential for restoration at this scale.” […Read More…]

Read about Seagrass Restoration at Indian Key

Photograph by Willey Durden

The island of Indian Key is surround by a healthy seagrass bed brimming with sea life. Most visitors kayaking to the island float over this wonderful resource and can spot myriad creatures hiding among the blades of grass. Sharks, sea turtles, rays and many different fish and crustaceans inhabit the grass flats and can be seen by visitors paddling to the island.

The dominate seagrass in the area, called turtle grass, is a favorite food of the green sea turtle. Green sea turtles have a serrated beak, so they can easily cut through the grass and algae that make up the bulk of their diet. During grazing, the seagrass’ underground stems - or rhizomes - remain unharmed, allowing the grass to regrow. […Read More …]

Tracking decades of ecological changes in South Florida’s marine environment

Image courtesy of usf.edu

Under clear blue skies on a bright morning, researchers from the University of South Florida gather at wooden docks on Virginia Key, preparing for a science expedition. A pickup truck sporting the Florida Fish and Wildlife logo backs up to the pier, and with practiced efficiency, the team unloads equipment onto the deck of the Walton Smith, a vessel operated by the University of Miami, one of the partners on the research cruise. The crew trades updates after two months apart as they embark on another trip around South Florida.

In the tight quarters of the ship’s lab space, crew members from five research institutions maneuver around bodies and instruments, securing their beakers, filtration set ups, pipettes, microscopes, and computers before the ship sets out on the waves. They take turns with the ethanol and deionized water station, careful not to interfere with each other’s research. They exchange plans and sleep schedules and set in for their 12-hour shifts. […Read More …]

How To: Paddle in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Click here for the scoop!

Support Paddle Florida

Paddler Raffle To Help Protect Florida's Waterways

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Tickets available here!

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