This is one possible route and itinerary.  We say, “Mother Nature gets a vote” on our final route, as does the park service with regard to camping permits.  Flexibility is our mantra.

Here is a “typical kayaking day” on expedition:

• Morning: wake-up and greet the day, hot breakfast, learning opportunities, break camp and load kayaks.

• Daytime: paddle, navigate and explore, enjoying snacks and lunch along the way.

• Afternoon to Early Evening: arrive in camp, kayak skills in unloaded boats if time permits, set up camp, explore nature on our new island, relaxation time.

• Evening: dinner, hangout, plan for tomorrow.
  

Day 0: 

As an option for all participants, we’ll gather at a local seafood restaurant for an informal meetup before the “official start” of the trip.  Guides will meet you there, get to know you, and share a few trip insights.  Planned meetup time is 6 p.m.  Food and beverages are individual responsibility.  If you can’t make the meetup due to your travel plans or other commitments, it’s totally fine.

Lodging the day before the trip starts (or after it ends) is not included and is the individual's responsibility to confirm.  Your welcome packet will include some recommendations in the area.  Options can include camping in Collier-Seminole State Park, or choosing a local hotel or vacation rental.

Kayakers arriving by air (or anything other than driving a personal vehicle), you have options and we can help.  We will offer an expedition start shuttle service from the Fort Myers Airport (RSW) on the evening of Day 0 or morning of Day 1.  Details including recommended flight times, shuttle pick-up coordination, and other information will be provided in your expedition welcome packet when you sign up.

Day 1:

We’ll meet at 9:30 a.m. at Collier-Seminole State Park. There we will go through the equipment and personal gear needed for the trip, pack our kayaks, and get ready for our first day on the water.  By the late afternoon we’ll be at our first campsite on one of the gulf exterior islands.  

In the days that follow our start, we’ll move from island to island, with each day being a little different.  That’s because each day we’ll make decisions about our route, taking into account factors such as weather and sea state, interesting locations to visit or see, skill development goals of the group, and campsite availability.  

Incorporating a layover day (or days) along the journey is planned to help us meet some skills goals. They also create great opportunities to take unloaded kayaks on side "day-trips" to see an interesting site or area and have a picnic lunch. We'll also make time to learn about navigation or tidal patterns, practice rescues, and refine our kayak skills each day. 

We’ll camp on beautiful shell-covered beaches on the exterior of the mangrove forest on most nights.  Depending on our route, we may have the opportunity to camp at least one night on the mangrove interior, either at an old homestead location, a Calusa shell mound island, or a chickee hut. 

Completing at least one night paddle is a common goal on trips, presenting an opportunity to observe amazing star-lit skies, paddle through areas of bioluminescent algae or schools of mullet, or challenge ourselves to navigate in the dark with only chart, compass and our night vision.  

Wherever we go and whatever we do, each day will also feature opportunities for activities on land or water, like learning about the native flora and fauna and marine life, learning about the unique human history of the Ten Thousand Islands and Everglades, or simply relaxing in the water or on the beach.  

On our last day of paddling, we may opt to go to bed early the night before so we can begin our paddle home during the magic of an Everglades sunrise.  Or, if we are close enough to our take-out, it may be a relaxed final morning and short paddle. 

We often leave some of this up to the group earlier on expedition, allowing guests to have a hand in our route design and some ownership of the trip, or to help you understand the choices we are making.  We have an attitude of all being on a team together and making route and camp decisions as a group.  Not only does this create a fun group atmosphere, but it is also part of skill development, learning to make good decisions about routes and planning our day.

On our last paddling day, we aim to arrive at our take-out by 1 p.m.  At the take-out we’ll take care of group and personal equipment before bidding farewell to our new friends as we part ways around 2 p.m.

Return shuttle to the airport is available on this day.  Coordination and logistics, as well as recommended flight times, will be included in your expedition welcome packet when you sign up.