A great Trip morning, mid day, and evening. It’s rare to find natural ocean inlets like this GeoTrippin’ favorite. Play on the large ever changing sandbars at the mouth of this historically significant river.
At the Matanzas Inlet there are many different areas to launch from and explore. North, South, and West of the Inlet your guide will decide the best direction to account for your GeoFantasies as well as tide and conditions.
On the northern end of the Inlet, Fort Matanzas National Monument stands watch just as it did during the Spanish Occupation. Observe the site which gave the river its name from your kayak.
Matanzas gets its name from the bloody battles which occurred at this fascinating GeoTrippin’ Kayak Adventure Location. The Spanish surprised invading French Huguenots trying to sneak attack St. Augustine from the south. The carnage turned the River Red with the blood of the French who were caught off guard. Continue past Fort Matanzas National Park to explore spoil islands turned wildlife sanctuary, oyster fields, and aquatic preserve.
Watch for dolphins, manatee, and other ocean animals. Or make a u-turn around the national park to follow the Intercoastal south. This GeoTour brings you by remote Faver Dykes State Park, into the Pelicier Aquatic Preserve, and past Marineland’s Whitney Laboratory.
If you have time for a full day trek, you may launch from this area paddling with swift currents five miles to Washington Oaks State Gardens. Returning through the Princess Place Preserve is a real treat. Add a picnic to get out and explore the beautifully restored and historically significant Flagler County Park,
Launch times can vary greatly due to fast moving currents. To ensure the comfort of all guests check the activity level of your tours at Matanzas to ensure you don’t get in over your head. There are plenty of opportunity during the ebbing tides to get into extremely rich habitats and close up views of plant and animal life in the Estuaries protected behind the Matanzas Inlet Barrier Island.