Launch at the soft ramp, Cedar Key Public Beach, and paddle around Atsena Otie Key of the original settlement. Stop at the island for lunch and paddle back to the beach.

When: Gather 10 AM, launch 11 AM, end 5 PM, Saturday, April 4, 2026

Put In: Cedar Key City Beach Park, Lil Shark Park, 192 2nd St, Cedar Key, FL 32625, Levy County.

GPS: 29.1369, -83.0296

I have done this paddle about 3 times. In good weather it’s pretty easy. Choosing a direction that works with the current and wind is best. That’s not always a straight line. If the weather is not fair, there are alternative routes that stay closer to land.

The channel between Cedar Key and Atsena will be will be the only challenge. It can be similar to paddling upriver. Inexperienced paddlers should use a sit on top, in instead of sit in kayak. But that is usually advised for saltwater paddles.

I was not really expecting inexperienced paddlers to travel as far as Cedar Key. If they were to show up in an inadequate vessel, they can rent a saltwater kayak locally. People paddle board this route often.

Atsena Otie Key paddle, Cedar Key Public Beach, Levy County, FL, Saturday, April 4, 2026