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5 months ago
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Miami | The Most Memorable Kayak Tour 🦝

The most unforgettable part of my trip to Miami was this kayak tour. A colleague from Florida recommended Oleta River State Park to me, saying it’s a great spot for water sports 🚣. So, I found this Soflo Water Adventure kayak tour on Viator, located near FIU at the park. The tour lasts about 2.5 hours, but since we went on Christmas Day, our guide was super patient, and we ended up spending over three hours! The tour starts with the guide paddling a large flat-bottom boat to pick us up. We then glide through the calm, glass-green waterways surrounded by mangroves, eventually reaching an open area where we can choose between kayaks or SUPs to continue the adventure. 🌟 Raccoon Island 🦝 Home to dozens of raccoons, the guide brought watermelon 🍉, peanuts 🥜, and water/drinks. As we paddled to the shore, the raccoons were already eagerly waiting by the kayaks! They’re friendly and polite—when feeding them, their little paws 🐾 gently reach out, so soft and adorable!! While exploring the island, they’d curiously follow us around, peeking out from behind trees. 😆 🌟 Kayaking Through the Mangroves 🚣 The mangroves are truly magical. Their tangled roots seem to anchor deep into the water, steadfastly protecting the area. Some spots are so narrow that only one kayak can pass at a time. Carefully avoiding branches felt like navigating a “green maze.” The highlight was our guide, Sean. He was incredibly enthusiastic, sharing insights and answering all our questions. He even recommended other local spots to explore. After the tour, he helped crack open a coconut for a curious kid on the tour (unfortunately, it was spoiled 🥥). On the way back, he joked that he could still smell the sour, soy sauce-like stench of the rotten coconut. The interaction with the group felt so warm, like we were all friends. At the end, Sean didn’t ask for tips—just requested a good review, as they receive bonuses based on feedback. After the tour, while changing at the shop, I chatted with him more, starting with “How long have you been here?” and eventually hearing his story. He was once married, working what seemed like glamorous jobs. After his divorce, he went through a tough period but decided to start fresh. He moved to Florida, worked at aquariums and water sports centers, and discovered he loved and excelled at guiding tours. It felt like a new chapter in his life, filled with passion and energy. He said he couldn’t have imagined this life if he hadn’t left his old one. Beneath his calm expression, you could see the waves of memories in his eyes. I truly love hearing strangers’ stories during my travels—it adds a layer of serendipity and warmth to the journey. Beyond the kayaking and raccoons, I’ll remember Sean’s passion and courage to restart his life. #MiamiGuide #MiamiTravel #Kayaking #Raccoons#WaterSports

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