Cedar Key, Florida, is one of the last remaining strongholds of authentic "Old Florida." Nestled along the quiet waters of the Gulf of Mexico, our historic island community is surrounded by salt marshes and coastal wildlife, which offers a slow, welcoming pace. To truly grasp the beauty, heritage, and unique geography of the Cedar Keys archipelago, you have to experience it from every perspective—by land, by sea, and from the air.
Whether you're cruising historic streets, navigating coastal estuaries, or soaring over clam farms and mangrove islands, here is how you can explore Cedar Key from all three elements.
Plan Your Cedar Key Adventure
1. From the Air: Panoramic Views of the Archipelago
To get a true sense of how the islands, marsh flats, and wetlands meet the Gulf of Mexico, you have to see Cedar Key from the clouds. (Read about my experience on my first flight with Cedar Key Island Air Tours.)
Cedar Key Island Air Tours, operated by pilot and owner Bill Schneider, offers scenic flights right out of the historic George T. Lewis Airport (KCDK)—a unique island airstrip that has served the community since 1936.
The Aerial View: Flying in a classic Cessna 172, you'll soar above the Gulf Coast waters, catching views of where the historic Suwannee River empties into the gulf. From above, you can clearly see the underwater grid patterns of Cedar Key’s famous aquaculture farms, where local clams and oysters are grown.
The Experience: The vantage point from the sky reveals shallow sandbars, winding marsh creeks, and neighboring uninhabited islands that are completely hidden from the ground. Be sure to bring a camera—the contrast between the green marshes, blue gulf, and island coastline makes for incredible photos.
Details: Weekend flights run Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM on a first-come, first-served basis (no reservations needed). Weekday flights (Mondays and Fridays) and custom flight experiences can be booked 24 hours in advance.
Fly over Old Florida with Cedar Key Island Air Tours! Experience breathtaking aerial views of the Gulf, wetlands, and coastal islands. Book your scenic flight today at CKAIRTOURS.COM.
2. By Sea: Exploring the Coastal Waters & Islands
Surrounded by shallow bay waters, wildlife refuges, and small barrier islands, Cedar Key is best appreciated when you get out on the water.
Tidewater Tours (located at 302 Dock Street) has been a cornerstone of the island’s nautical community since 2002. Led by Captain Cyn Delee Dalton and her crew, these boat tours blend environmental education with rich regional history.
Coastal Tours & Sunset Cruises: Daily Island Coastal Tours take passengers out into the gulf to observe local wildlife. It’s almost a guarantee to spot Atlantic bottlenose dolphins playing in the wake, alongside an impressive variety of coastal birds like pelicans, osprey, and seasonal American White Pelicans. Their Sunset Cruises ($40/person) offer front-row seats to spectacular gulf sunsets.
Island Taxi to Atsena Otie Key: For those looking to set foot on an undeveloped island beach, Tidewater Tours provides a round-trip Island Taxi ($20/person) to historic Atsena Otie Key, the original site of 19th-century Cedar Key before the town shifted to the main island.
Specialty Charters: Tidewater also offers historic lighthouse shuttles to Seahorse Key (on select refuge open dates), private scalloping charters, and fishing charters.
Explore Cedar Key by water with Tidewater Tours! From dolphin sightings and coastal wildlife to local history and island taxi services, book your next Nature Coast adventure today at www.tidewatertours.com or call 352-641-7708.
3. By Land: Open-Air History Tours on Four Wheels
To understand Cedar Key’s present, you have to dig into its vibrant and resilient past. Traveling by foot can take time in the coastal heat, which is why guided open-air excursions offer the perfect way to get acquainted with the town.
Living Cedar Key Golf Cart Tours offers a 2-Hour Guided Cedar Key History Tour led by a local guide, Ryan. Bypassing canned presentations, these casual, small-group rides weave through historic streets, showcasing architectural landmarks, waterfront vistas, and hidden local gems.
What You’ll Learn: The tour covers centuries of island lore—from ancient Native American shell mounds and Civil War skirmishes to Cedar Key’s thriving fishing heritage and modern recovery after recent hurricanes.
The Experience: Riding in comfortable, luxury golf carts complete with cup holders, guests can relax, beat the heat, and ask questions as local stories unfold naturally.
Details: Tours run for two hours, departing directly from central Cedar Key.
Explore local heritage on wheels with the Living Cedar Key History Tour. Visit LivingCedarKey.com to reserve your spot.
Each mode of travel unlocks a different layer of Cedar Key:
Air puts it all together with breathtaking, bird's-eye views of the Nature Coast's geography.
Sea connects you to the thriving marine ecosystem, dolphins, and surrounding barrier islands.
Land gives you the context, culture, and rich history of the community.
Taking the time to experience all three will leave you with a deep appreciation for why this corner of Florida remains so special.
If you embark on one—or tackle all three—of these island adventures, I’d love to hear all about it! Drop a comment on this article below to tell us about your experience, or head over to our Facebook page at facebook.com/ilovecedarkey to share your photos with the community. We can't wait to see your favorite moments from land, sea, and sky!
Note: The three businesses featured in this article—Cedar Key Island Air Tours, Living Cedar Key Golf Cart Tours, and Tidewater Tours—are proud sponsors of I Love Cedar Key. If you take their tour, remember to tell them you heard about it from I Love Cedar Key.
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Stay-Seas Hideaway, a waterfront Studio rental in Cedar Key, Florida.