Florida Everglades: Sea Kayaking and Camping

Everglades City: Weather

Join us as we explore the wetlands of southern Florida by sea kayak. The Everglades are home to a rich diversity of plant and animal species and was named a World Heritage Site in 1987. The wetlands offer the silent sea kayaker a wonderful opportunity to explore and experience the sandy beaches, morning sunrises and the famous "Chickees" - where we'll camp. Daily Itinerary

- Duration: 7 Days, 6 Nights
- Activities: Sea Kayaking & Camping
- Van Supported: No
- From: Naples, FL
- 2008 Price: $1,195

- Registration Forms Here!

Fact Sheet - Itinerary - Common Questions - Top of Page

Day 1: We meet at the Naples, Florida airport at 3:00pm. From the airport we will travel to Everglades City, our first stop within the Everglades National Park system. You will have time to explore the visitor center and quaint town shops. The evening will be spent enjoying dinner at a local restaurant to get acquainted. You will spend the night at a local hotel.

Day 2: Our first full day will be filled with kayak instruction in the local Thousand Islands area. You will enjoy lunch at the remote Chokoloskee Island. We will return to our hotel for a restful evening and dinner in Everglades City.

Day 3: We head out from Everglades City via van, visiting the Shark Valley Visitor Center and the Ernst Coe Visitor Center on the way to Flamingo. We camp at Flamingo with plenty of time to enjoy the natural beauty of the Everglades, exploring by foot and kayak. Meals during our camping adventure will be created by your professional guides on camp stoves under the open sky.

Day 4 & 5: If the group and weather permit we will load up our kayaks with our belongings and head out to the remote heart of the Everglades to enjoy a night or two on Chickees, elevated platforms, built up and around the mangroves that create our sea kayaking playground. You will paddle some of the wonderful water trails that wander the mangroves visiting some of the numerous islands and remote sandy beaches.

Day 6: After returning from our camping adventure we will check in to a local hotel and enjoy our final evening together with a dinner of fresh fish and local fare in Flamingo.

Day 7: An early departure by van from Flamingo to Naples will allow you to comfortably make connecting flights home.

**Itinerary subject to change depending on conditions and availability of campsites in the Everglades.

Fact Sheet - Itinerary - Common Questions - Top of Page

What is special about this trip?
The Everglades are dynamic and ever changing. You will encounter wildlife like no other in our world. From the cockpit of your kayak you will explore the breadth and depth of this ecosystem. The combination of the unique environment, open air, and remote, quiet waterways make it a joy to learn new paddling skills, make new friends, and discover new territory.

How do I get there? How will you meet me?
The Naples, Florida airport provides domestic and international air service for many big name airlines. A Northwest Passage guide - with a welcoming sign - will be waiting to greet you at the Naples Airport at the designated time provided in your confirmation letter.

What money should I take?
While you won't need money while we're on the water, you should expect to spend some in town and during our Visitor Center stop for drinks and snacks, souvenirs, film, batteries, etc.

What's the weather like?
The Everglades climate is primarily humid subtropical, with two seasons: the five-month rainy season, from June through October, when 70% of the year's rain falls, and most hurricanes occur; and the seven month dry season, from November through May. We plan our trips during the dry season, when we can expect sunny days with the possibility of late afternoon showers. Daytime high temperatures average from the mid-70s through about 80 F, with nighttime lows around 50 F. While there are always mosquitoes in the Everglades, they are usually less of a factor in the drier months when we paddle there.

Do I need a wetsuit?
No. The average water temperatures are in the comfortable range around 70 F. If you chill easily, you may choose a wetsuit or slightly warmer paddling layers, but most participants will be quite comfortable without wetsuits.

What are the accommodations like?
During your adventure you will enjoy a mix of lodge accommodations and tent camping. The lodge accommodation may include your own bathroom and private room. Some nights we will enjoy the stars and open air from our Northwest Passage tents at a local camp site. The camp site has washrooms nearby. Camp sites on the Chickadees offer the most wilderness experience of our adventure, with a platform to raise our tents and pit toilets. We will spend the final night in a lodge, easing the return to civilization.

Can I drink the water?
The brackish waters of the Everglades are not suitable for drinking. However our campsite and lodging will have running potable water. There will also be opportunities to purchase bottled water. The Northwest Passage guides will be prepared with gallon sized jugs for your convenience.

What's the food like?
We plan for hearty meals! Recent menus have included fettucine and asparagus, fajitas, spaghetti and garlic bread for dinner, pancakes and potatoes for breakfast, and sandwiches and tuna salad for lunch; we also pack plenty of snacks! Please let us know about any special dietary needs and we'll plan to accommodate you.

What time is it there?
Florida is in the US Eastern Time Zone.

How can people reach me in an emergency? Can I call home?
You'll be able to phone home from our hotel on the first two nights, but once we head out to the islands you won't see any more phones. Give friends and family The Northwest Passage office number, as our office will be able to get in touch with the group in an emergency.

How much time do we spend paddling each day? How many miles? Do I have free time?
The amount of kayaking varies from day to day. Each morning we'll break camp, pack the boats, and head to the next night's camp. Our paddling will be broken into one-to-two hour stretches, with breaks to explore on land as well as on water. We plan to be off the water by mid-afternoon, set up camp, and then enjoy hiking around the island, some short paddles in unloaded boats, or relaxing in camp!

What kind of equipment do you use?
We use rotomolded plastic kayaks, expedition equipped with bow and stern hatches and rudders. We'll bring mostly single kayaks on this trip, though we often bring our double kayak along so people can switch around and try different paddling options. Our camping equipment includes Kelty and Eureka two-person tents.

How many people are on this trip? How many guides? Who are the guides/what are their qualifications?
Our group size for this trip ranges from 5-12. The Northwest Passage sends one guide for every five participants. Our guides are drawn from our staff of kayaking instructors, all hold certifications from the ACA or BCU (the governing bodies of sea kayaking in North America), and in Wilderness First Aid.

Fact Sheet - Itinerary - Common Questions - Top of Page

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