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    Florida Kayak Expeditions to the Everglades, the 10,000 Islands, and the Great Calusa Blueway
     

    Upcoming Florida Sea Kayaking Trips and Classes 2008/9   Register

    2008/2009 Trip/Class Itinerary
    Gear List  



    Egret on the Turner River

    Kayaking the Gulf of Mexico

    Big House Cafe

    Shells on Chokoloskee Island

    Collier Seminole State Park

    Southwest FL kayaking

    Kayaking with Mangroves

    Beautiful Flowers

     

    Day 1: 

    11am: Meet at the Big House Café, on Chokoloskee Island. 

    238 Mamie Road, Chokoloskee, FL      Phone 239.695.3633

    This is part coffee house, part gallery, and reading library/book shop.  They have wi-fi and a lap top you can borrow if you don’t have your own. Many books on local history and attractions, plus great lunch specials, and of course, great coffee.

    11-1pm lunch, and pre trip meeting
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    Meet fellow participants, have safety and group discussion, talk about goals of the trip, last minute packing questions,

    1-3pm Free Time
    Do some packing, make last minute purchases, check e-mail, etc. Have us review your gear, any last minute prep can be done during this time. Get ready for river trip

    3pm Depart for the Turner River
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    We will kayak part Turner River North of 41 and part of the south trail.  Off the water before sunset.  This is calm water, thru a unique tropical environment.  Certainly one of the best paddles in all of southwest FL.  Bring your camera.  Expect to see lots of wildlife, plant life, and gators.

     6pm Dinner at Joanie’s Blue Crab Café
    39395 Tamiami Trail (Route 41) ,Ochopee, FL    Phone 239.695.2682
    Swamp dining at its finest!  They offer many items, including Black Bean soup with Indian Flat Bread. Many traditional dishes, local seafood, also cold beer and cokes, fresh milkshakes, and don’t forget the alligator nuggets!

    Camp that night at Burns Campground, or Collier Seminole (see Where to Camp, Things to See Document.

    Day 2:
    9am: Meet at Boat Launch. 
    Pack and load boats for our adventure

    Paddle to destination and set up camp (each trip will have a different paddle time/distance)

    Day 3-6 (depending on which trip you are on)
    day paddles to explore surrounding areas
    .  Navigation and course plotting, rescue practice, towing, and other skill based exercises will be held.

     Last day
    7am pack up camp
    Head back to launch area – (depending on your trip, the tide table, and how far of a paddle back to launch)if time allows, follow up hike at Collier Seminole State Park (or if you are in town, maybe the day after)

     5pm  - Farewell Dinner at Captains Table – Everglades City  Trip review and lessons learned.

     *All meals and campground fees to be paid by individual.

      *All camping fees and permits related to kayaking in the 10,000 islands are included in your class fee.

     *** Day one on the Turner River – this is your opportunity to chose the boat you wish to use and paddle it before heading out on a longer trip. Be sure that it is comfortable for you and you are satisfied.  This is your chance to try the boats and make your decision for

    Gear List

     

     


     

       


     

    Florida Kayak Trips
    Trip 3: Calusa Blueway/Estero River
    Location: Naples, FL  Estero FL
    What: Kayaking the Calusa Blueway (watertrail along the Gulf of Mexico)
    Pace: Easy to Moderate
    Approx mileage covered each day is 5 to 8 miles
    Lodging: Hotel (not included) or nearby campground
    Length:3-4 days
    Dates:  Feb 22,23, 24,  2008

    Expect 

    Sunny days of kayaking along the coast - white sand beaches dotted with Palms in some areas, beachfront mansions in others.  Frequent kayak buddies include pelican, dolphin and sometimes even manatees.

    Where white sand beaches stretch as far as you can see and the shore is lined with exotic seashells. It's a world of tropical wildlife, spectacular sunsets over sparkling waters and hundreds of islands to explore


    This route follows the coast, so many places to pull out and stretch, have lunch, or just hang on the beach.  We will spend warm sunny days out on the water, and cool evenings by the fire! Temps range from 50-60 at night and 70-80 during the day.
     


    Florida
    Visit two archaeological sites to view the intricate water courts, canal systems, burial mounds, pottery pieces and enormous shell mounds left behind by the Calusa Indians thousands of years ago. Piece together the clues that scientists from around the world use to learn about how the earliest settlers lived their daily lives
     
     


     



     

    View class description and schedule here
    Sign up and Pay for all classes and membership at our sign up page