Raccoon Island: Exploration on SUP/Kayak

The main draw here is simple: you paddle through Biscayne Bay and mangroves, then meet the gentle raccoons of Sandspur Island, better known as Raccoon Island. The trip mixes quiet water, wild scenery, a short boat ride, and close wildlife encounters in one 150-minute outing.

I like the choice between a kayak and stand-up paddleboard, especially if you want either a steady seat or a more active workout. I also like the relaxed pace, with fruit, water, sodas, and Gatorade included instead of rushing you from one photo stop to the next.

The main caution is that the number of raccoons can vary. Some visits bring a crowd of animals to the shoreline, while others see only a handful, and busy departures can make it harder to hear the guide or get a clear photo.

Key points to know before you go

• Sandspur Island is the star: You’ll have time to walk around, swim, photograph raccoons, and watch island wildlife.
• Kayak or SUP: Choose the craft that feels right for your balance, comfort, and paddling experience.
• Mangrove route first: The opening paddle offers a quieter look at Biscayne Bay’s natural side, with possible sightings of crabs, rays, sea turtles, dolphins, jellyfish, and other wildlife.
• Bring clothes that can get wet: Water spray and wet launches are part of the outing, and valuables can be stored in a safe place.
• Bug spray matters: Several outings have involved heavy mosquitoes and biting insects, especially around the island and mangroves.
• Arrive 30 minutes early: At Bill Bird Marina, look for the teal and white Vessel Cataria at the floating dock on the left, not the big blue building.

Paddling from Bill Bird Marina into Biscayne Bay

Your first task is finding the right boat. At Bill Bird Marina, look for the big blue building, then head toward the floating dock on the left. Do not go inside the building or walk to the end of the marina. Vessel Cataria, a teal and white boat marked SoFlo Crew, is the check-in point.

Arrive 30 minutes early. That extra time matters because the marina has several possible places to wander toward, and arriving late can turn a calm start into a scramble.

Once checked in, you’ll meet the guide team, sign the required FWC and SoFlo Water Adventures waivers, receive a safety briefing, and put on your life jacket. You can choose a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. If you have never kayaked, tell the guide before launching. Guides such as Sean and Ashley have helped first-time paddlers with getting in, getting out, and steering.

Wear a swimsuit or clothing you do not mind soaking. The launch and return can involve splashes, and even a calm bay is not a dry environment. Phones, wallets, and anything else you want to protect from water can be stored in a safe location while you paddle.

The opening section is not just transportation to the raccoons. You’ll work through the water around islands and mangrove habitat while the guide explains what you are seeing. The mangroves give the trip its sense of place. Instead of only looking back at Miami from a boat, you get a closer view of the shallow-water habitat that supports fish, crabs, birds, and other coastal life.

Why the mangroves may be the best part

Raccoon Island gets the attention, but the mangrove section gives the tour its natural setting. The water is often calm enough for a pleasant paddle, and the low, tangled roots create a different world from Miami’s streets and high-rises.

Keep your eyes open. Sightings have included crabs, stingrays, puffer fish, barracuda, moon jellyfish, sea turtles, and dolphins. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but that uncertainty is part of the appeal. You are not visiting a zoo with animals placed on cue. You are moving through a living coastal area, and the day’s conditions affect what appears.

The paddle is also where the guide’s personality matters most. Tony, Alejandra, Francis, Isabella, Liam, Sean, Ashley, and CJ are among the guides praised for explaining the environment, helping beginners, and keeping people comfortable. Sean, in particular, has helped nervous first-time kayakers settle in, while Alejandra has been singled out for pointing out birds and local wildlife.

There is one practical downside to the format. If the group is large, narration can be difficult to hear from the back. One outing became less enjoyable because too many kayaks made the guide’s explanations hard to follow. If the guide is speaking, stay close enough to hear, but do not crowd other paddlers.

The boat ride to Sandspur Island

After the first paddle, the trip includes a boat ride toward Sandspur Island. This change of pace is welcome. You get a chance to rest your arms, dry off a little, and enjoy wider views across Biscayne Bay.

The boat ride also makes the outing feel bigger than a short kayak rental. You are not simply paddling in a small loop near the marina. You are moving between islands and getting a broader look at the bay. Some routes have also passed sights such as the so-called Billionaire’s Bunker, although exact stops can vary.

The boat ride is described as smooth and enjoyable, but conditions and timing can change. Tides, weather, and other factors may affect the route or start time. Keep your schedule flexible and check any updates before setting out.

Drinks are included, with water, sodas, and Gatorade available. Fresh fruit is also provided. These are small touches, but they matter after paddling in the Florida sun, particularly if you have children or anyone in your group who needs a break from the heat.

Meeting the raccoons on the island

Sandspur Island is the emotional payoff. The raccoons are accustomed to people and often come close to the shoreline when the boats arrive. Their gentle behavior makes the encounter feel unusually personal, though you should still follow the guide’s instructions and give the animals room to move away.

The best moments are often quiet ones: watching a raccoon approach, seeing it investigate fruit, or catching an expression with your camera before it disappears into the trees. The animals are not guaranteed to gather in large numbers. Some outings have seen more than 20, while others have seen about four or five. Expect a wildlife encounter, not a fixed animal count.

Fruit is supplied, and watermelon has been a particular favorite. I would not bring extra food unless the operator specifically permits it. Feeding wild animals can change their behavior, so use only what the guide provides and follow the instructions at the shore.

You will have time to take pictures and observe the animals, rather than being pushed straight back onto the boat. Guides may also help with photos. Ashley has taken free pictures for participants, and other guides have helped people find better viewpoints.

The island itself is not a groomed park. Parts can be rocky, uneven, and filled with trees or spider webs. One outing involved a rough walk toward a mosquito-filled lagoon, which was not welcome for everyone. If you have trouble on uneven ground, ask the guide what the planned island route will involve before leaving the boat.

Swimming, photos, and the pace of the visit

You may have time to swim, but this is not primarily a swimming tour. The main focus is the raccoons, island exploration, and wildlife viewing. Bring a suit if you want the option, but plan for a flexible stop rather than a long beach session.

The relaxed timing is a real strength. The stated duration is 150 minutes, and the trip is designed so you can look around, take pictures, enjoy fruit, and pause with the animals. That said, conditions, tides, group size, and the number of raccoons can shape how much time feels available at each spot.

If you want the clearest animal photos, stay patient and let the crowd settle. At busy times, several people may gather around the same raccoon. A guide can often point you toward a quieter angle, but you may need to wait rather than expect a private encounter.

Bring a phone case or dry bag if you want to photograph from the kayak or boat. Water damage is an easy way to turn a fun outing into an expensive one. One participant even lost a phone near the island, so keep your device secured whenever you are moving away from shore.

How much value do you get for $99?

At $99 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a few hours in Miami. You are paying for more than kayak or paddleboard use: the guide, life jacket, boat transport, fruit, drinks, safety setup, and access to a memorable wildlife stop are all part of the price.

The value is strongest if you want several activities in one booking. You get a mangrove paddle, a boat trip, an island visit, wildlife viewing, and the option to swim. Booking a kayak rental and arranging separate transport would not give you the same structure or guide support.

The value is weaker if your only goal is to see a large number of raccoons. Their behavior changes from day to day, and busy groups can make the animal encounter feel crowded. A few people have felt the price was high when they saw only a small number of raccoons or spent too much time dealing with insects.

For me, the price makes sense for visitors who want an active half-day outing and understand that wildlife is unpredictable. It is less suitable for anyone expecting a guaranteed close-up animal show.

Weather, insects, and what to pack

Florida sun and mosquitoes are the two practical issues to plan around. Bring strong insect repellent and apply it to your clothing as well as exposed skin. Several outings had heavy mosquitoes, especially during walks around the island and near the mangroves.

Wear clothing that can get wet and dry comfortably. A swimsuit, quick-drying shirt, hat, sunglasses with a secure strap, and sandals or water-friendly shoes are sensible choices. The supplied information does not promise special footwear, so do not assume the island will be soft sand from end to end.

Use sunscreen before you arrive. Reapply when possible, but keep sunscreen and personal items protected from water. The operator can store items you do not want to get wet in a safe location while you are on the water.

A positive attitude helps, but so does realistic planning. This is an outdoor activity with sun, spray, insects, uneven island ground, and changing wildlife conditions. It is not a polished indoor attraction.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would choose this outing for couples, families, first-time kayakers, and anyone who wants a different side of Miami. An 11-year-old has enjoyed the trip, and the guides have helped beginners learn the basics. Families should still be comfortable with getting wet, paddling, and supervising children around open water.

Animal lovers will find the raccoons memorable, especially if they enjoy watching behavior rather than simply checking off a sight. Photographers should like the mix of mangroves, bay views, wildlife, and the Miami skyline seen from the island.

Choose carefully if you dislike bugs, rough ground, or uncertain wildlife sightings. You may also prefer a smaller outing if listening to detailed narration is important to you, since larger groups can make it harder to hear.

The tour is conducted in English. Exact guide assignments vary, but the team has included Tony, Alejandra, Captain Matt, Captain Chuck, Francis, Dylan, Ashley, Angie, Liam, Sean, Adam, CJ, Isabella, and others.

Booking details worth checking

The listed duration is 150 minutes, and starting times depend on availability. The meeting point is Bill Bird Marina, with Vessel Cataria at the floating dock on the left side. Arrive 30 minutes early.

The booking information gives two cancellation statements: one says you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, while another says there are no refunds and that a canceled event can be transferred to a future date. Because those terms conflict, confirm the policy at booking and save the operator’s written conditions.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Miami plans are still shifting. The event date and location may change for reasons outside the operator’s control, including conditions on the water.

Should you book the Raccoon Island tour?

Book it if you want an active, easy-to-understand introduction to Biscayne Bay, with mangroves, a boat ride, island time, and unusually close raccoon encounters. The guides are the strongest part of the operation, and names such as Sean, Alejandra, Tony, Francis, Ashley, and CJ have repeatedly been associated with clear instruction, humor, safety, and helpful photos.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed number of raccoons, dislike mosquitoes, or want a quiet private experience. Go in expecting wild animals, not a performance. Bring repellent, protect your phone, arrive early, and choose a kayak or SUP based on comfort rather than ambition.

For the right person, $99 buys a memorable slice of coastal Florida that feels far removed from the usual Miami checklist.

FAQ

How long does the Raccoon Island experience last?

The activity lasts 150 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $99 per person.

Can I choose between a kayak and a stand-up paddleboard?

Yes. You can choose either a kayak or a stand-up paddleboard.

What is included in the price?

A guide, kayak and/or SUP use, a life jacket, fresh fruit, and drinks are included. Drinks include water, sodas, and Gatorade.

Where do I meet the tour?

Meet at Bill Bird Marina. Look for the teal and white Vessel Cataria at the floating dock on the left side of the marina. Do not enter the big blue building or walk to the end of the marina.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start time so you can find the correct meeting point and check in.

Do I need to sign a waiver?

Yes. All participants must sign FWC and SoFlo Water Adventures waivers before the tour.

What should I wear?

Wear clothing you do not mind getting wet and bring a positive attitude. Items you want to keep dry can be stored in a safe location while you are on the water.

Can I cancel for a refund?

The booking information says cancellation up to 24 hours in advance may qualify for a full refund, but it also states that there are no refunds for this event and that canceled events may be transferred to a future date. Confirm the applicable policy before booking.