Layton & Long Key

Day kit · Marathon · MM 47–60

Marathon to Long Key paddling day: mangrove loops

A starter skeleton for one Middle Keys paddle between MM 50 and MM 67.5: a state-park mangrove loop at Curry Hammock or Long Key, a guided Boot Key or Grassy Key mangrove tour, or the self-guided Sister Creek launch. Pick one paddle and keep the others as backups. It does not book a tour, rank operators or promise tides, seats or opening hours.

1. State-park paddle (pick one park)Curry Hammock State ParkFlorida State Parks publishes two kayak routes from the launch: a 1.5-mile path around Little Crawl Key with a mangrove tunnel, lagoon, flats and sandbars, and a 5-mile route along mangroves and around another island. At the lowest tides the tunnel may be difficult to impossible; the park points to a sandbar just east of the launch instead. Rentals at the launch are provided by Whenever Water Sports, per the park. Its ranger-led tour, Whispers of a Mangrove, alternates with Long Key on Fridays; space is limited, so ask the ranger station. Check https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/curry-hammock-state-park/paddling-adventures-curry-hammock.
2. State-park paddle (pick one park)Long Key State ParkFlorida State Parks says you can bring your own kayak or rent one from the ranger station for a paddle along a natural shoreline. Its ranger-led tour, Beyond the Mangroves, covers open water and seagrass beds. Effective Sept. 26, 2026, the park says it may close for portions of the day because of King Tide flooding, so check https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/long-key-state-park and https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/ranger-led-kayak-tours before you drive.
3. Guided Boot Key mangrove tour (pick one)SpongeBob Kayak Eco ToursGuided kayak eco tours through the mangroves of Boot Key Harbor, plus sunset paddles. The operator says tours include the kayak, paddle, safety gear, guide and parking. Book and confirm the meeting point on its site.
4. Guided mangrove tour (pick one)Florida Keys Kayak & PaddleboardMarathon outfitter running guided mangrove eco tours, including a night tour, and kayak and paddleboard rentals it delivers to your lodging. Delivery terms and tour times are on the operator site.
5. Guided Grassy Key mangrove tour (pick one)Kayaking The KeysGuided mangrove and marine-wildlife eco tours, plus a night eco tour, led by the authors of the Kayaking the Keys guidebook. The listing puts the launch at Grassy Key Marina, near the Curry Hammock end of this stretch. Book and confirm the meeting point on https://kayakingthekeys.com/.
6. Self-guided alternate: Sister CreekSombrero BeachThe state paddling trail maps put a kayak launch on the west side of the swimming beach, at Sister Creek, which leads into unmarked mangrove trails through Boot Key. Carry a map and expect to backtrack. Confirm beach access and parking on the City source.

Starter skeleton from directory listings—not a booking, live ops feed or sold ranking. Re-check each source the morning you go.