Kayaking and Paddleboarding at Matheson Hammock Park

Matheson Hammock Park, at 9610 Old Cutler Road in Coral Gables, is a Miami-Dade County park about 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Miami. It is one of the oldest parks in the county system and combines a tropical hardwood hammock, a mangrove shoreline and a man-made atoll pool beside a marina on Biscayne Bay. The activity is self-guided kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding in the sheltered waters around the marina and along the mangrove-lined shoreline, with views back toward the Miami skyline. The water near the marina is generally calm and shallow, so the activity suits beginners, families and casual paddlers, and only basic fitness and swimming ability are needed. Paddlers who venture onto open Biscayne Bay should be aware that wind and boat traffic can make conditions harder. Visitors bring their own kayak or paddleboard, or rent from a local outfitter, since the park does not itself operate rentals. The park is managed by Miami-Dade Parks, and the marina office can be reached at 305-665-5475; there is no guided operator, so the safety plan depends on the paddler. Life jackets are required to be carried on board, and paddlers should tell someone their route, stay near the shore, avoid the marina channel used by powerboats and carry a phone in a waterproof pouch. Park rangers and marina staff can call emergency services if needed. Parking costs about $7 USD on weekdays and $10 USD on weekends and holidays, though rates should be confirmed at miamidade.gov/parks. Visitors bring water, sunscreen, a hat and water shoes. The best season is November to April, when temperatures are mild and wind is lighter, and mornings are calmest. Summer is hot, with afternoon thunderstorms that make the water unsafe, and strong easterly winds in winter fronts can create chop. The park also has picnic areas, a trail through the hammock and a small beach, so paddling can be combined with a half-day outing. Visitors should avoid paddling near sunset, when mosquitoes and low light make the mangroves less pleasant.