Photo by Devon Divine on Unsplash
Best Spots for kayaking in the Everglades
The Everglades National Park sits on the southern part of Florida.
It occupies about 1 million acres of wetlands and is defined by the grassy, slow-moving river.
This preserve is made up of coastal contiguous mangroves, sawgrass marshes, alligators, crocodiles, different bird and animal species and pine Flatwoods.
Everglades is also home to the endangered leatherback turtle, Florida panther and the West Indian manatee.
One of the best ways to experience all these is by kayaking through the marshy park.
There are several spots along the Flamingo route, each with its unique highlight.
Exploring this park is quite an adventure through several miles of the water trail.
You can bring your own kayak or hire one at the park. Either way, you are set for the best time in the park as you paddle through the seemingly quiet waters.
Below is a list of the best spots for kayaking when in the Everglades.
1. Nine Mile Pond
Photo by Rikke Filbært on Unsplash
This first spot is a serene and lovely wide shallow marsh. It is made up of mangrove islands, sawgrass and the occasional tree island.
The Nine Mile pond is a 5.2-mile loop and its trail is beginner-friendly. You can hire a kayak or a canoe at the park.
This pond has several crocodiles. It takes about five hours tops to paddle through it.
Some tight mangrove tunnels provide a fun challenge.
The great thing with the Nine Mile pond is that the trail is well marked with PVC-pipe markers.
While on your tour, you will spot wading birds along the Anhinga Trail.
There are normally crocodiles lounging by the shoreline at the end of the trail, so look out for that.
2. Coot Bay and Mud Lake Kayak Trail
Coot bay pond By paulsmithrj – Wikimedia
This next kayaking route has some pretty mangrove tunnels. It leads to the open lakes that can be windy and a little monotonous.
Paddling on the Coot Bay and Mud Lake trail takes around two hours.
The scenery is beautiful with magical mangrove tunnels that open into broad wild views of water and trees.
As you paddle through the mangrove tunnels, you will love the soft light filtering through the latticework of branches and roots.
Coot Bay Pond is filled with coots while Mud Lake is a beautiful quiet place full of bird activity. It is home to several multi-coloured herons.
3. Hell’s Bay Canoe Trail
Everglades National Park
This kayaking spot is known for its tricky navigation in and out through its mangrove and ponds.
An out and back trail through this trail is about a 10-mile round trip.
Some polls mark the trail along the twisted mangroves. If you choose to camp, a camping ground is along this route.
This trail has beautiful scenery too filled with wildlife, shades and tight bends that slows you down and might be a challenge to navigate.
As you paddle through the tight twists lookout for the PVC markings so as not to lose your way, they are easy to miss.
The trail starts on the north side of the main park road before Flamingo.
4. Noble Hammock Kayak Trail
Photo By Everglades NPS Florida -Wikimedia
This kayaking trail is a 2-mile loop that goes in a maze through the mangroves and small ponds.
It can be accessed off the main road that leads towards Flamingo. The Noble Hammock Canoe trail is one that gives you that excursion feeling.
Its narrow and sharp turns need a skilled paddler because it will put your steering skills to test.
The advantage of this trail, unlike coot bay, is that it is protected from the wind.
Navigation is made simple by a series of orange and white markers that guide you.
One of the most pleasant features of this trail is the wide array of plant species like the mangrove, epiphytic bromeliads and orchids.
5. West Lake Kayak Trail
Photo by Rikke Filbært on Unsplash
This is a long kayaking trail stretching about 7.7 miles in one way while a round trip will be 15 miles.
The trail leads to the marvellous Alligator creek and runs through a series of breath-taking open lakes.
These lakes are connected through the narrow creeks. As you head towards the Alligator Creek you will enjoy the sight of mangroves that add to the beauty of the trail.
This trail can be windy and rough since it is in the open lake you, therefore, need to be careful.
West Lake Park kayaking is great for a beginner to try out kayaking or canoeing.
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