Miami Oleta State Park Guide
Compared to the Everglades National Park, Oleta State Park in Miami is a relatively lesser-known spot, but I personally think it's just as fun, especially for outdoor enthusiasts and animal lovers! Plus, it's close to the city center and easily accessible even without a car (I took a taxi from South Beach for just around $30). π You can get dropped off at the Oleta River Outdoor Center, where you can rent kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and mountain bikes at a pretty good value (we rented a tandem kayak for $80/3.5h). π£ββοΈ Once you're on the water, paddle to the left first. You'll go through a narrow channel lined with dense mangroves on both sides β it feels like you're in Avatar! π³ After passing a bridge, the water opens up. Keep an eye on the trees along the shore; you might spot some weird birds.π¦ Shortly after the second bridge, you'll hit the open sea. π We got caught in a sudden storm here, with waves almost crashing over the bow. It was like experiencing the struggle with the sea from "The Old Man and the Sea." Then we landed on Raccoon Island! We walked along the beach for a while but didn't see any raccoons, so we ventured into the jungle. Finally, we spotted two raccoons by a stream. Later, we saw a family of three raccoons drinking coconut water under a palm tree. The raccoons were super cute and polite, taking biscuits with both hands and washing them in the stream before eating. π¦ After leaving Raccoon Island, don't rush back to the dock. Head to Beach Cove in the middle of the map for a swim. πββοΈ The water is clear, the sand is white, and it's much calmer than South Beach. I heard there are dolphins and manatees in this area, but unfortunately, we didn't spot any. β οΈ Tips: 1οΈβ£ Definitely bring a waterproof bag for your phone β you'll most likely get soaked during kayaking! (I'm a victim of a water-damaged phone...) 2οΈβ£ Buy some biscuits/bread/freshwater for the raccoons β they love Oreo cookies! πͺ 3οΈβ£ Slather on the sunscreen β you can easily get sunburned. 4οΈβ£ No storage at the rental spot β don't bring any valuables. #Miami #kayak #paddleboarding #travel #raccoons #studentlife #florida #miamitourism #everglades #southbeach
