Enjoy some mid winter sunny weather paddling and camping in shell beaches of the Florida Keys and Ten Thousand Islands.  With its hundreds of miles of waterways and incredible beauty and diversity, the area, named an international biosphere reserve and a world heritage site, is fabulous for paddlers, birders and hikers.  We will paddle a route that takes us out to island keys, under mangrove forests, along pristine beaches and through saltwater river channels.  The sea melds easily into marsh and forest and all our coastal paddling will be on the protected Gulf of Mexico coast.  We'll spend most of our time in and around the coastal beach sites on the keys but will venture into the mangroves for day trips and perhaps to spend one night on the raised platforms called ‘chickees'.  We can expect to see dolphins, sea turtles, bald eagles, opryeys, and pelicans along with numerous other sea birds.  Perhaps we'll see the endangered wood storks and manatees.  Weather in winter is usually dry, warm and fairly calm.  Expect lots of sunshine so bring sunscreen and warm weather gear.

Suggested Itinerary: 

Note this is a suggested itinerary only, specifics may vary slightly from trip to trip depending on weather ...

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Enjoy some mid winter sunny weather paddling and camping in shell beaches of the Florida Keys and Ten Thousand Islands.  With its hundreds of miles of waterways and incredible beauty and diversity, the area, named an international biosphere reserve and a world heritage site, is fabulous for paddlers, birders and hikers.  We will paddle a route that takes us out to island keys, under mangrove forests, along pristine beaches and through saltwater river channels.  The sea melds easily into marsh and forest and all our coastal paddling will be on the protected Gulf of Mexico coast.  We'll spend most of our time in and around the coastal beach sites on the keys but will venture into the mangroves for day trips and perhaps to spend one night on the raised platforms called ‘chickees'.  We can expect to see dolphins, sea turtles, bald eagles, opryeys, and pelicans along with numerous other sea birds.  Perhaps we'll see the endangered wood storks and manatees.  Weather in winter is usually dry, warm and fairly calm.  Expect lots of sunshine so bring sunscreen and warm weather gear.

Suggested Itinerary: 

Note this is a suggested itinerary only, specifics may vary slightly from trip to trip depending on weather and campsite availability.

ARRIVAL:  You should in Everglade City (about 45min south of Ft Meyers) at least one day before the scheduled trip departure (so for 2012 arrive Feb 16).  We'll meet as a group for dinner the evening before the trip.  (you are responsible for your own accommodations in Everglade City).  If your flying Ft Meyers is the best airport to use as it's a relitevely short easy drive down to Everglade city.  (We can arrange pick ups at the Ft Meyers Airport.  $100pp each way)

Day 1 : After Breakfast we'll head to the Gulf Coast Visitor Center to load up the kayaks.  After a brief warm up will head out onto the water.  We will paddle to Tiger Key or Picnic Key via the Ferguson River or Chokloskee Bay.  Camp will be made for the evening at Tiger Key.

Day 2-5:  Paddling will be amongst the islands and channels with occasional open water sections.  Camp will be made on  local beachs like Pavilion Key, Mormon Key, Turkey Key and New Turkey Key.  2 nights will be spent at one or more of these locations.  Day trips will be taken up into the Mangroves to places like Charlies Creek or the infamous Watson Place, homestead of the legendary "Bloody Edgar Watson".

Day 6 :  Paddle  to Crooked Creek Chickee.

Day 7:  Paddle back to the Gulf Coast Visitor Centre via Turner River Canoe Trail and Chockoloskie.  Back to your hotels in Everglades City.  We'll likely all gather for dinner at a local restaurant. 

DEPARTURE:  (Sunday) Book your flights home for Sunday day 8, afternoon is best to give yourself time to get back to Ft. Meyers.