West Lake Park / Anne Kolb Nature Center
Hollywood, Florida · Broward County
West Lake Park, home to the Anne Kolb Nature Center in Hollywood, covers over 1,500 acres of protected mangrove estuary with marked water trails, calm enough for beginners in any tide. Rentals run out of the park marina Saturday through Monday, and paddlers regularly spot manatees, rays, and wading birds along the route.
The Paddle
Marked water trails wind through more than 1,500 acres of protected mangrove lagoon between West Lake and the nature center, wide and calm no matter the tide. Expect manatees, rays, wading birds, and sea turtles along the route, with herons and ibis working the shallows. Calm mornings are the easiest time to paddle here.
Launch & Parking
Launch from the floating dock and kayak ramp at the West Lake Park marina. The county charges an entry fee of 1.50 dollars per person on weekends and holidays, with kids 5 and under free; weekdays are free to enter. It is a per-person gate fee, not a parking charge.
Rentals
Kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals run out of the marina, first come first served, but only Saturday through Monday. Plan your visit around those days if you are counting on a rental.
Rules & Safety
This is a sheltered lagoon with minimal hazards beyond some boat traffic near the marina, so it stays calm even for new paddlers. Statewide paddleboard rules apply on this water too; the summary below covers them.
Before You Go
Our Pompano Beach store is roughly 14.3 miles from West Lake Park, stocked with paddleboards, paddles, leashes, and dry bags, and we book lessons for paddlers who would rather have a guide through the mangroves.
Florida paddleboard rules
Outside designated swimming, surfing, and bathing areas, Florida and the U.S. Coast Guard treat a stand-up paddleboard as a vessel, which means basic boating rules apply. Carry one Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person on board, and children under 6 must wear theirs while the board is underway. You also need a whistle or other sound device audible for at least half a nautical mile, and after sunset or in poor visibility, a flashlight or lantern with a white light to signal your position. Inside a marked swimming or surfing area these vessel rules do not apply. Non-motorized paddleboards under 16 feet do not need Florida registration. Rules can change, so check current FWC guidance before you paddle.
Summarized from FWC and U.S. Coast Guard guidance, verified 2026-08-12. Rules can change; check current FWC guidance.
FAQ
What days can I rent a paddleboard at West Lake Park?
Rentals at the marina run Saturday through Monday only, first come first served.
Is there a fee to paddle at West Lake Park?
Yes, a 1.50 dollar per-person gate fee applies on weekends and holidays, with kids 5 and under free; weekdays are free. It is a per-person fee, not a parking charge.
Is West Lake Park good for beginner paddlers?
Yes. The mangrove lagoon is sheltered and calm in any tide, and the marked water trails make it easy to find your way.
Nearby paddle spots
Dania BeachOleta River State Park
North Miami BeachLas Olas Isles Canals (Fort Lauderdale)
Fort LauderdaleSullivan Park / Deerfield Island
Deerfield Beach