Alligators, Birds, and Cypresses.
1-day eco-adventure canoeing tour
availability — upon request
Start Location — South Florida. The exact location will be revealed to all participants after their final payment for the tour.
Dates: available upon request
Group size: 3 people minimum, 9 people — max
Price per person: see Payment schedule and cancellation policy:
Tour Highlights
Explore my favorite home State — Florida, like only locals know. You will see Florida with palm trees but ocean beaches. Warm and comfortable, but the lack of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. You will be in the middle of the most unusual, picturesque ecosystems in the southern USA — cypress swamps wilderness, where old trees grow in the middle of the water, but without highways with heavy traffic, skyscrapers, and shopping malls. Tourists seldom visit those places due to their remoteness, lodging problems, etc. In addition, the weather is hot and humid most of the time.
These swamps are home to Florida’s infamous gators and hundreds of bird species. You can see at least 20-30 different birds and at least 20-50 wild alligators along the shoreline and river banks with your own eyes. All-time, we will be in the middle of true Florida wilderness.
Believe it or not, there are hardly any mosquitoes in these swamps. However, I would still recommend that you have bug repellent with you.
Physical Difficulty: Moderate. This tour involves some canoeing/kayaking at the cypress lakes and rivers.
Fitness Level: Like any outdoor activity, a reasonable degree of fitness is ideal. We will not be engaging in any strenuous physical activity other than paddling.
Airports: Fort Lauderdale or Miami, FL.
Transportation: is not included in the tour’s price but is available upon request.
Meals: Lunch (sandwich, water, and chips) is included in the tour price.
Canoeing/kayaking: Your tour’s payment includes a two-person canoe, so you will ride it with another participant. You can upgrade it to a single ride (canoe or kayak) for an additional $70.
No level of kayaking experience is necessary for participants. Whether you are just beginning or are an experienced kayaker, I am happy to help you operate your canoe (kayak)
Itinerary
We will meet at the boat ramp in the middle of the wilderness (unless you will order a transportation option, and we will pick you up at your home or hotel).
Then we will get to a shuttle van to start the adventure on one of the most impressive Florida rivers with countless bald cypress along the river banks.
After a short introduction safety meeting, we will launch our canoe. We will spend about 15-30 minutes used to sitting in the canoe, getting in and out of it, and feeling comfortable in the canoe on the water.
We will launch our canoes 8 miles upstream* and start paddling down the river at a very relaxing pace to truly enjoy the unique beauty and try not to scare all wildlife around. Be prepared for alligator encounters at any moment — they are warming up next to the water in the warm Florida sun. We saw at least 50-60 alligators during 6 hours the last time we made this trip.
I can’t tell you how many different birds we will see there — the most proper estimate would be “a lot.” This wilderness is home to blue herons, white egrets, spoonbills, green herons, turkey vultures, ospreys, hawks, and many others.
Usually, we can paddle these 8 miles downstream for about 4 — 6 hours.
As soon as we return to our cars, we will have lunch. If time permits and you still want to enjoy Florida wilderness scenery, you can paddle the canoe exploring rivers banks and small channels till sunset.
* In the case of a low water level in the river, we couldn’t go 8 miles upstream with a shuttle. But we can start our journey by paddling downstream to explore that part of the river. We do not have any particular point that we have to reach. We will float downstream for about 2-3 hours and back upstream for about 3-4 hours.
Basic Rules While Paddling
Florida state law mandates that a child under the age of six (6) must wear a U.S.C.G. approved Type I, II, or III personal flotation device while onboard a vessel under 26 feet in length while the vessel is underway. This includes canoes and kayaks. Bring plenty of water or other drinks in non-disposable containers. Don’t litter — take a trash bag or other receptacle for collecting your trash. Because of alligators, swimming is not recommended in the Creek.
Pricing & cancellation policy:
Price per person with Shuttle Service
People at your party:
- — $295;
- — $275;
- — $260;
- and more — $250.
Price per person without Shuttle Service
People at your party:
- — $225;
- — $205;
- — $190;
- and more — $175.
Photography Option
This trip is a unique wilderness experience. You will face an unusual environment, fun activities, countless wildlife encounters, etc. Your guide is an award-winning professional landscape and wildlife photographer, and the photo guide will take some of your pictures during the day with professional telephoto equipment. You will get 5-10 journalistic-style pictures of your party after your trip.
But you can order a dedicated photographer for your party that will be focused all day just on you and your people. This photographer will be on the same boat as your guide and can float between all canoes and kayaks to take your unique action shots with professional-grade telephoto equipment. With this option, you can make countless stops during the trip in numerous fantastic places and bring life and staged pictures of you and your party. After that trip, you will get at least a hundred amazing high-resolution photos in basic editing. That will bring you good memories whenever you look at them.
Booking your dedicated photographer for this trip — $650 (can be shared with other participants.
Transportation
If you want to be picked up from your home (hotel) in the morning and drop it off after that trip — ask us about your options.
Pricing & cancellation policy:
A non-refundable deposit of $ 75 per person for a trip with a shuttle service and $50 per person for a trip without a shuttle service is due during sign-up to reserve a space for this trip.
The rest of your payment is due 7 days before the start of the trip.
Cancellations 48 hours or more before the event — a credit for future events is given and must be used within six months.
Cancellations within 48 hours — no refund is given except for inclement weather on the day of the event, or in case when the river is closed.
Recommended Personal Gear:
- Rubber boots or water shoes — you might step into the water to get into a canoe or get out of it.
- Dry bag to care for your gear and lunch in the canoe
- Waterproof sleeve or case for your phone
- Rain jacket and rain pants
- Fleece jacket
- sunglasses
- sunscreen
- anti-mosquito repellant
Questions? Please get in touch with me at (386) 627-1449 if you have any questions or message me.
A follow-up email will be sent to registered participants with schedule details, recommended gear, and a liability release.
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