Everglades Multi-Day Kayaking Tour

"I would like to tell you how wonderful the Everglades Trip was that we just completed. The guides, Tim and Carrie were absolutely superb. They had great knowledge of the local flora and fauna, were energetic and positive, were excellent paddlers and accomplished chefs. The foods which were selected and prepared were delicious. The base camp was well selected and was beautiful under the canopy of stars. The paddling locations were well suited for a variety of paddling skill levels and the guides were willing to flex to the needs and desires of the group. Their patience in dealing with a couple of "high maintenance" clients was exemplary. Both Tim and Carrie made the kayaking experience very enjoyable.  Thank you. Hope you have a wonderful Winter Season..."

-Mary Lindhjem

 

Check out this review by Paddling.net:  http://www.paddling.net/places/everglades.html

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 & 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. Photo By Carrie Weaver

On our tours we will lead you through an area of countless keys known as the Ten Thousand Islands while enjoying gourmet lunches on shell mounds built up by the Calusa natives of the past, spotting manatees in their natural environment, watching dolphins play, observing alligators hunt for fish, seeing flocks of ibis pass by and witnessing an osprey pluck a meal from the sea.  

Tour Length: 2-7 days in length

All Inclusive: We provide all kayaking gear (single kayaks are available upon request), meals and drinks, safety equipment, two person dome tents, Therm-A-Rest sleeping pads (which convert to beach chairs), Cascade Design pillows and our incredible attention to detail. So pretty much all you need to bring is yourself, a sleeping bag (we can provide this), your personal clothing, some personal items, a willingness to learn and a sense of adventure.

Sample 4 Day Itinerary

(2 to 7 day trips are available)

Day One:  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. We will introduce you to our 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, we’ll head out upon the calm, brackish waters of Everglades National Park . As we paddle through a great maze of native red and white mangroves, we’ll weave our way closer to the Gulf of Mexico where we will encounter many migratory birds as well as year round resident birds or possibly marine mammals.  Once we decide where to land for lunch, we will make a short but sweet stop enjoying delicious food and the spectacular backcountry. This afternoon we will kayak to our 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 we will retire under a sky filled with a million stars in the comfort of our dome tents.

Day Two:  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 we’ll get ready to explore more splendid backcountry. Today we will paddle in our stable, one or two person expedition kayaks towards a small key in the Gulf of Mexico to our next beautiful camp. Along the way we may encounter dolphins, great white herons, alligators, or even a massive tarpin fish at the surface.  Later we will 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 and smugglers. Tonight we will surprise you with another great campsite meal and then you can let the waves lapping on the beach sing you to sleep.

Day Three:  Today we will take advantage of the currents and tides leading us deep into the interior of the park. As we paddle away from the shoreline, you will get your last glimpse of the Gulf of Mexico and then we’ll continue through our maze of mangrove tunnels into the brackish water of the interior rivers. Keep your eyes open for manatees as we follow calm tidal currents up the mouth of the Lopez River . The jungle will slowly start to close in on us as we paddle further up river with numerous channels attempting to confuse us. Our 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 Four:  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 we enjoy our last breakfast together we will begin our return to the Everglades National Park Headquarters. We usually arrive in the mid afternoon. Here we will say our goodbyes until your next Crystal Seas Vacation.

Everglades Multi-Day Kayaking Schedule

2-Day/1-Night  -  $359 per person

Saturday-Sunday (December-April... custom dates are available, just ask us)

3-Day/2-Night  -  $529 per person

Friday-Sunday and Saturday-Monday (December-April... custom dates are available, just ask us)

4-Day/3-Night -  $699 per person

Monday-Thursday and Tuesday-Friday (December-April... custom dates are available, just ask us)

5-Day/4-Night  -  $879 per person

Monday-Friday (December-April... custom dates are available, just ask us)

6-Day/5-Night  -  $1049 per person

Sunday-Friday (December-April... custom dates are available, just ask us)

7-Day/6-Night -  $1219 per person

Sunday-Saturday (December-April... custom dates are available, just ask us)

Custom Dates & Tours: If you have dates that works better with your vacation schedule, airline fares or airline tickets, we should be able to accommodate them at no additional cost... just let us know.

Everglades Wilderness Waterway Tours of 9 or more days, covering the 99 mile Everglades Wilderness Waterway, are available as custom tours... please contact us for more information. 

Everglades tours: Prices, times and tour location subject to change.  Prices per person in US$.