What time is high/low tide
Are you launching at a mud flat - if so, pick as close to high tide as you can get

What way is the wind blowing?

Will you encounter Motor Boat traffic or other hazards?

How does that factor in with what the tide is doing?

If you will arrive at your campsite close to low tide - will you be able to land?  Some areas are only accessible at higher tides

Is it a full moon or close to it? This will make low tides lower and high tides higher

Lover's Key State Park
Accessed off mangrove channels, this park encompasses the best of both worlds.  The mysterious and beautiful mangrove islands with tannin colored waters and birds galore, along with wide open passes to the Gulf of Mexico, where white sandy beaches and clear blue water awaits.

This trip we launched from New Pass, rounding the famous Bonita Dog Park and getting out to the Gulf straight away.  The first thing we noticed, coming out the pass was that the place was lousy with Osprey.  Enormous nests, built to withstand hurricane force winds dotted the trees on this edge of Lover's Key, and most of our route.  Their eerie calls could be heard before we saw the nests, the sound carried far across the water. As we left the mouth of the pass, we were greeted by a sandbar full of pelicans.  

Coming out of New Pass, that is the edge of Lover's Key Beach.  Osprey abound, as do wonderful shelling opportunities.  This is Tina's second time out and she knows the way!

Matt and Jodie are the Sunshine Expedition. They are paddling around the entire state of FL.  Lover's Key marks approx 1000 miles of kayaking for them. We met them for lunch in Nov at the park.  They are traveling in wooden kayaks that they constructed themselves.

As we kayaked up the coast, we were flanked by crystal seas on one side and sandy beaches on the other.  Stop where you like, the laws are different down here in FL and most beach is public.  We stopped for lunch, some sun, and did some shelling.  As we headed back, many dolphin were in the mouth of the Big Carlos Pass- hunting and feasting, so we had a marvelous time just floating and watching them sail by. The trip was remarkably easy and fun. Beautiful scenery, lots of wildlife and you can take out most anywhere in case of emergency or just wanting a break. I would highly recommend this trip for anyone coming down.  Lover's Key Beach is a wonderful, wild beach, featured on Travel Channel. It has great shelling, especially at low tide and you can see from the pictures, clear water.