Unique and wild. That is one way to sum up the 10,000 Island Wilderness in Florida’s Everglade National Park. This tropical location is one of the greatest US destinations for paddling! 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 everglades kayaking.
Don’t expect to go to this area and find thousands of islands awaiting your enjoyment. There are hundreds of them, but not thousands. Most of these are not suitable for camping or hanging out. Though most are not considered islands, just mangroves growing up out of the water, some are very nice. So even though the name suggest thousands of islands, there are really only a few hundred or so, most being unusable.
This is not a kayaking trip for those who lack navigation skills. Do to the many creeks, channels, and bays in this area, it is very easy to lose your way. Caution and planing is needed. Get a waterproof NOAA marine chart before leaving out on this Everglades kayaking trip. Don’t consider carrying anything other than a waterproof chart. Of course, you will want a compass to make sure you can get back on the right path if something happens. You would do well to have the navigational backup of a GPS unit as well. This might seem silly to some but, please be sure you know how to use these tools before heading out on a tricky paddle like this.
A great place to start your first Florida everglades kayaking activity is at Chokoloskee Island. 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 are of Florida can be very relaxing and fun, but you have to realize where you are. This is a remote wilderness setting. Sunscreen and bug repellent is a must. Since all the water in the area is saltwater, all you will have access to is what you bring with you. Everyone coming on your trip will need to bring a gallon of water per day spent in the area. Freshwater is not native to this area of Florida and everyone wants it…including the raccoons!
Other than winter months, sand flies and mosquitoes can be just as big of pests as the raccoons. You will need mosquito netting that also blocks out sand flies and of course enough insect repellent to keep your entire group comfortable. We visited the area in late may and, surprisingly, encountered very little in the way of mosquitoes.
The Ten Thousand Islands present many opportunities to explore some of the wildest areas Florida has to offer. The Ten Thousands Islands is an exciting place to visit if you have those navigational skills and come prepared for the physical exertion of Everglades kayaking. The solitude and beauty of the coastal Everglades awaits you. Start planning now!