Newfound Harbor is a coastal harbor and channel located off the south coast of Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys. It provides access to a mix of sheltered mangrove ecosystems and open, reef-studded waters in the Hawk Channel. The harbor's waters are part of the larger Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve, encompassing 6,000 acres of protected mangrove lagoons and ocean habitat. For paddlers, primary launch points include the Dolphin Marina and Cottages boat ramp on Newfound Harbor Channel, which offers parking and sheltered, beginner-friendly conditions with minimal current. Another access is via Long Beach Drive on Big Pine Key, where a rough dirt track leads to a muddy beach; paddlers should park at the pavement's edge and portage to the water. From there, a route follows the shoreline past private islands into Coupon Bight, a known area for viewing Key deer and shorebirds, before reaching more open water.

A significant offshore destination for experienced paddlers is the Newfound Harbor Keys Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA), a federally protected patch reef marked by large yellow/orange buoys and white mooring balls. This reef lies several hundred yards offshore, with the paddle from the nearest shore access being longer due to the need to navigate around islands. The crossing to the reef involves open water in Hawk Channel, where boat traffic from commercial snorkel tours and recreational boaters is present, necessitating the use of a dive flag. Paddlers must tie up to the provided mooring buoys and are prohibited from anchoring within the SPA. The area is exposed to wind and wave fetch from the open channel. Tidal currents influence the shallow channels and flats, particularly in Coupon Bight and the mangrove passages, making timing trips around slack tide advisable for easier conditions.

The paddling experience ranges from calm, protected exploration of mangrove tunnels and lagoons to more exposed open-water journeys to coral reefs. Wildlife sightings may include wading birds, sea turtles, stingrays, and nurse sharks. The surrounding keys are mostly uninhabited, with some private properties and a Boy Scout camp. Facilities are limited to the launch points mentioned, with no other amenities directly on the water. Water quality is typical for the Florida Keys, with visibility suitable for snorkeling at the reef. The area is used year-round, with conditions generally calmest in low wind periods.