Name: Atsena Otie Key paddle
Start: 2026-04-04T10:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-04-04T17:00:00-04:00
Location: Cedar Key Beach

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]
Take Out: Cedar Key Public Beach https://maps.app.goo.gl/5GBLqFi59j4CA5628
Boats: BYOBoat or rent from local outfitters of your choice.
[Cedar Key Public Beach, 2013-09-01 --Google Street View]
Bring: the usual personal flotation device, boat, paddles, food, drinking water, warm clothes, and first aid kit.
Also trash pickers and trash bags: every WWALS outing is also a cleanup.
Please follow Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash, avoiding damage to vegetation, and respecting wildlife.
Safety: Be on time. If you miss the safety briefing, you cannot paddle with us.
Each person in a boat, no matter how young or old, must wear a PFD.
Free: This outing is free to WWALS members, and $10 (ten dollars) for non-members. Please prepay the $10 online:
https://wwals.net/outings
Or bring cash to the outing. Credit card payments may or may not be available.
We recommend you support the work of WWALS by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations
[Atsena Otie Key, 2010-05-20, --USGS]
Duration: 4 hours +/- depending on how long we sight see.
Paddle: 3.5 hours, 1 mile
Shuttle: None
Host: Scotti Jay
Contact: Sara Jay
Backup: If winds are high, there are several dozen paddle trails on the area. In case of bad weather: Cancel.
More: For more WWALS outings and events as they are posted, see the WWALS outings web page, https://wwals.net/outings/. WWALS members also get an upcoming list in the Tannin Times newsletter.
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations
https://wwals.net/?p=69743