Bonnet House Tour: Explore Old Florida's Splendors

Discover the splendors of Old Florida at Bonnet House Museum. Explore the beautiful gardens, art, and collectibles that showcase the legacy of Frederic Clay and Evelyn Bartlett.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • 900 N Birch Rd - Fort Lauderdale Adventures is proud to offer this exploration of the Bonnet House western border for the first time ever. Celebrating over 100 years, we are able to exhibit these saltwater wetlands that support a fragile ecosystem vital to south Florida’s ever endangered habitat. The jungle of mangrove trees produces a thick network of intertwined roots to prevent soil erosion and provide shelter and food for fish and wildlife. Manatee, land and sea fiddler crabs, and a variety of saltwater fish find a secure home in this ecosystem. The Cove is the perfect home for our Great Blue Heron, Green Herons, Egrett’s, Ibis, and the rare Great White Heron that can only be found in this part of the world.

The center of the property features the Bartlett’s protected boathouse which was a private entrance to the property. Great for Celebrations!

After your Paddle, enjoy a self-guided tour of the Bonnet House and Gardens. We recommend planning for at least 90 minutes:
• Start at the Welcome Center to get interactive maps
• For Audio use your Smartphone for the free mobile-friendly website bonnethouse.stqry.app/1

Paddle starts at 8:30am
Grounds open at 11 and closes at 3pm & 4pm on weekends

What's Included
  • Complimentary Photos
  • Historical Art Museum Gallery & Studio Access
  • Seashell Museum and Orchid House
  • Paddle Board or Kayak
  • Paddle
  • Bonnet House Self Guided Grounds & Gardens Access
  • Life Jacket
  • Guided Paddle Tour
What's Not Included
  • Water (Bring something for staying Hydration)
  • Waterproof Bag and Waterproof Phone Case: Available for separate rental or purchase ($5 - $28)
Additional Information

The area now known as Coconut Cove once existed as a mangrove and buttonwood marsh until the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the late 1920s used it as a dumping ground during Intracoastal dredging. The influx of dumped material led to the swamp’s demise, which led Mr. Bartlett to embark on a quest to plant lines of Coconut Palm trees on the land currently used for Bonnet House parking. An eclectic mix of both native and rare plants characterizes the site, with a desert garden, Orchid House, Shell Museum, Orchards, freshwater swamp, Wild Coffee plants, Silver Palms, shade-giving Gumbo-Limbo and Coontie Plants, Seagrapes, Sabal Palms, and Paradise Trees scattered across the expanse, making up just a few of the area’s countless wonders. A 1920s gem, the Bonnet House Museum, sits at the heart of the property, displaying a dazzling mix of worldwide art, sculpture, and collectibles against the backdrop of a Fountain Garden and magnificent architectural design. Today’s Coconut Cove is a living testament to ‘Old Florida’, preserving the rich history and upholding the vision and creativity of Frederic Clay and Evelyn Bartlett.

Location
900 N Birch Rd
North Birch Road
Turn from Sunrise Blvd to the end of the street. Make a right to the end where you will see the 2nd tall gate. These will be closed before 10am. Your Guide will meet you here at the gate.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(11 Ratings)
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1 star
Excaliber5
Jun 5, 2024
Excellent tour - Kayaks were in great shape and views from the water were fantastic. Loved also visiting the Bonnet House and learning about the place and family, and Ft. Lauderdale history. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z7705sawilliamh
Jun 5, 2024
Fun on the water! - We had a blast on the water. Brian was the perfect instructor and guide. We can't wait to come back and kayak through Ft. Lauderdale.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lisamp1964lo
Jun 4, 2024
A Must Do While In Ft. Lauderdale - Brian was a great guide and was so friendly and patient with us and we figured out our rhythm with the kayaks. The tour was the perfect amount of time. We felt like we saw so many things but we weren't exhausted at the end of it either. We will be coming back to Fort Lauderdale again and we will certainly be connecting with Sunrise Paddleboards while we're there. Thanks again for such a great outing!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Adam_t
Jul 21, 2023
Paddle-tastic! - My girlfriend and I signed up for kayaking and we are very happy with our experience. Paul was simply stellar. His courteous and accommodating demeanor warmed us up from the get-go. When my girlfriend needed to use the restroom before we set off, he facilitated it without reducing our time on the water. He was attentive to our needs, offering paddleboards, single, and tandem kayaks. His concern for our comfort, particularly regarding the back support on the tandems, was commendable, and his continual check-ins made us feel valued. An unexpected bonus was that we were his only customers that day. This led to a personalized experience that was extremely enjoyable. Paul was a vibrant conversationalist, his passion for the environment and water activities shining through. His enthusiastic presence helped dissolve our initial apprehensions and established a sense of ease that lasted throughout the trip. We had a quick journey through the Mangrove outcroppings adjacent to the Bonnet House grounds. Most of our time was spent in the intercoastal waterway, which was equally rewarding and more of a challenge with the small waves coming from passing boats. The entire experience felt safe and it was an exciting challenge. Paul's knack for photography added a memorable touch to our experience. He captured a collection of wonderful pictures that he promptly shared with us post-trip, a testament to his dedication to making our journey unforgettable. I would heartily recommend Paul's kayaking experience to anyone looking for a leisurely, comfortable outing. It may not test your paddling prowess, but the good-quality equipment, amicable company, and the lasting impression it leaves makes it a worthwhile adventure.
Review provided by Viator
390ambers
Jul 12, 2023
Excellent experience!! - It was such an excellent experience. We rented kayaks for two hours. We were given excellent suggestions with helpful directions also. Since there were plenty of kayaks, we were even allowed to keep them a little longer than our two-hour limit. We even came back to some mangos to take home with us, and greetings from a beautiful little dog. The service was wonderful, friendly, and accommodating. Can't wait to come back.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sabrinany7941ta
May 23, 2023
Great time! - Paul was awesome! We had an amazing morning. I highly recommend. We look forward to coming back next year.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wiggyl2023
Mar 19, 2023
Great experience with Paul! - We had a great experience with Paul paddleboarding for the first time in the tranquil, lovely Coconut Cove. Paul really cared about our enjoyment and comfort. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Whatever331
Feb 3, 2023
A great experience - My guide was fantastic. Saw iguanas and a hawk. Got exercise and got to see a little of the inter costal waterway.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A3972vzcoreys
Jan 29, 2023
A wonderful kayak tour - We took a kayak tour this morning with Paul and had a wonderful time. Paul was very knowledgeable of all the sights and history. He made the trip fun and captured pictures of our group along the way. He took great care of us. We had experience in kayaks, but I would be comfortable recommending the tour to people who are less experienced. The tour also included access to the Bonnet House property.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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