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10000 Island Wilderness Kayaking – The Ten Thousand Islands Wilderness

One of this country’s best kept paddling secrets is nestled down in Florida’s southwestern tip in Everglades National Park. It is called the 10,000 Island Wilderness. The Ten Thousand Islands area is one of the greatest secrets of the paddling world. Located near the southwestern tip of the state one can enjoy a wide variety of local and exotic animals such as Alligators and tropical birds. This area also holds many rare tropical trees not found anywhere else in the US like Rainbow Eucalyptus and Plumeria. After a little sight seeing its time to get out for some exciting Florida kayaking.

Most of the “islands” of the Ten Thousand Islands aren’t real islands at all, just clumps of mosquito-infested red mangrove growing out of the shallow Gulf of Mexico. Yet, there are some great islands with beach shorelines, such as Tiger Key. Do your research if you plan to paddle overnight or visit an island for the day. Be sure its one that will be hospitable.

Top-notch navigation skills are a must for this trip. Within this mangrove wilderness lies a web of bays, creeks, and channels in which it is all too easy to lose your way. You will need at least a waterproof marine chart based on NOAA charts. Don’t consider carrying anything other than a waterproof chart. Also, you’ll need a reliable compass. You will be in a good position if you can take a GPS tracking device so you are more likely to get back on track if you get lost. Please be sure you know how to use these valuable tools in a pinch.

Chokoloskee Island is a great place to go for a day or weekend if you enjoy fishing, relaxing and everglades kayaking. Kayaking and fishing are top activities on this quaint and quiet island. The variety of fish species available here is vast and includes Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Sea Trout, Catfish, and many more. There are many paddling trails in the area and you can head out for multiple day trips by kayak and canoe.

This is not Disneyland. This is true wilderness and there are precautions that a kayaker needs to be aware of. The powerful sub-tropical sun can cause severe sunburn. Be sure to take sunscreen and have protective clothing (hat, long pants, and long-sleeved shirt) available when you need it. This is a salt-water environment. No fresh water is available at your destination, so you’ll have to take it with you-at least 1 gallon of freshwater per person per day. Make sure to bring at least a gallon of water per person for every day that you plan on spending in this area of the Everglades. All the water in the area is saltwater, so even the raccoons are dying of thirst! They will chew holes through your bottles to get to the freshwater, so make sure to protect them at all times.

Now, about the bugs. Mosquitoes and sand flies are bad here, except in winter. You will need netting that blocks both of these pests and adequate amounts of insect repellent sprays, candles, and other products. We visited the area in late may and, surprisingly, encountered very little in the way of mosquitoes.

As you probably know, canoeing and kayaking can be challenging and physically exerting at times.Be sure you’re in good physical shape for what could be a challenging canoe/kayak trip (depending on winds and tides), and know your wilderness navigation. You will be roughing it in some of the more natural and remote areas of the state. This is a great place to visit just be sure to have all your ducks in a row and do your homework. The Ten Thousand Islands await you. Bon voyage!

florida defensive driving school online

florida defensive driving school online