Sunrise Paddles

• Paddle the east side of the Florida Keys at sunrise to get the full impact of the rising sun. Kayakers who stay close to vegetated shoreline will see birds and other wildlife waking up. Kayak fishers will also have better chances of catching fish before the tropical sun heats things up too much for fish to actively feed.
  
  

Sunset Paddles

• Romantics and nature lovers find solace on the west side of the Keys for sunset. Shorebirds feeding at sunset and raccoons just waking up dot the shoreline. Florida state law mandates that kayakers on the water after sunset have an all-around light on their boat.
  
  

Winter Paddles

• People who can't tolerate temperatures in excess of 90 degrees Fahrenheit will enjoy paddling the Florida Keys between November and February, when temperatures can dip as low as 60 degrees. Mosquitoes and no-see-ums are also minimized during these months.
  
  

Summer Paddles

• The hottest months of the year -- July, August and September -- are also the most deserted months in the Florida Keys. Paddlers who don't mind bugs, heat or the occasional thundershower will find much of the backcountry and shoreline at its emptiest this time of year.
  
  

Weekdays

• Weekends mean weekend warriors, and that includes power boaters. Florida does not require private boat captains to have a boating license; the state also does not prohibit drinking and boating (although it is illegal to operate a boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol). Kayakers will find calmer waterways Monday through Friday.