KAYAKING

4-Day Everglades Kayak Expedition

The Everglades are simply amazing... As the weather cools off and winter sets in, the Everglades reach their prime. Sunny clear skies and warm waters provide a perfect paddling environment, not to mention thousands of small mangrove islands, white sand beaches, exotic wildlife and flora unique to this region, fantastic food, first-class camping and great company. This kayaking trip with Crystal Seas is an ideal way to escape the chills of winter while enjoying one of America's world heritage sites.

Tours lead you through countless keys known as the Ten Thousand Islands. Enjoy gourmet lunches on shell mounds built up by the Calusa natives of the past, spot manatees in their natural environment, watch dolphins play, observe alligators hunting for fish, see flocks of ibis passing by and witness an osprey pluck a meal from the sea.

Trip Details

Day 1: Sample 4-Day Itinerary
Your tour begins with an early rendezvous at the Everglades National Park Headquarters in Everglades City where your guides will meet you along with other members of your backcountry expedition. Crystal Seas Kayaking will introduce you to expedition gear and the basics of sea kayaking; i.e. paddling demo, safety information, how to land the kayak when you’re getting out for lunch or to stretch your legs, what to do when a sea turtle or alligator surfaces next to you…etc. Afterwards, head out upon the calm, brackish waters of Everglades National Park. As you paddle through a great maze of native red and white mangroves, weave your way closer to the Gulf of Mexico where you will encounter many migratory birds as well as year round resident birds or possibly marine mammals. Once you decide where to land for lunch, make a short but sweet stop enjoying delicious food and the spectacular backcountry. This afternoon, kayak to a designated campsite along the Gulf Coast where white sand beaches await. A gourmet dinner of fresh, local fish prepared to perfection and key lime pie will surely recharge your energy levels. Tonight, retire under a sky filled with a million stars in the comfort of Marmot dome tents.

Day 2:
As the sun makes its way above the mangroves to the east, you’ll wake up to a warm South Florida breeze. Your guides will prepare a hearty breakfast for you with juice or java, and then you’ll get ready to explore more splendid backcountry. Today, paddle in a stable, one or two-person expedition kayaks, towards a small key in the Gulf of Mexico to host the next beautiful camp. Along the way, you may encounter dolphins, great white herons, alligators, or even a massive tarpin fish at the surface. Later, stop for lunch on a sandy beach loaded with crushed sea shells. Here you can stretch your legs and listen to your guide tell fascinating stories of Everglades folk-lore and tales of pirates or smugglers. Tonight, Crystal Seas Kayaking will surprise you with another great campsite meal and then you can let the waves lapping on the beach sing you to sleep.

Day 3:
Today, get an early start to take advantage of the currents and tides leading deep into the interior of the park. As you paddle away from the shoreline, you will get your last glimpse of the Gulf of Mexico and then continue through a maze of mangrove tunnels into the brackish water of the interior rivers. Keep your eyes open for manatees as you follow calm tidal currents up the mouth of the Lopez River. The jungle will slowly start to close in on you as you paddle further up river with numerous channels attempting to confuse you. Guides are highly skilled in the field of navigation and at lunch break you can ask “How did you find the right way with just a compass, watch and chart?” Today’s lunch break will be on a “shell midden”; a term used to describe large piles of sea shells mounded up by the Calusa natives as their waste piles. Some of the world’s largest middens are found here, deep in the Everglades.

Day 4:
In the morning the mangrove jungle comes alive with the sounds of birds. This is a great opportunity to test your skills photographing wildlife! After you enjoy your last breakfast together, begin the return to the Everglades National Park Headquarters. Groups usually arrive in the mid afternoon. Here, say goodbye until your next Crystal Seas Vacation.