The entire MisterMoon crew are going camping at Pennekamp in June and we'll be bringing along our fleet of recreational sit-on-top kayaks. Besides the canoe trail at Pennekamp S.P., I've also picked out Indian Key and maybe a circumnavigation of Bahia Honda. Any WT suggestions for easy day trips around Key Largo and the rest of the Keys? Interesting places to snorkel that are kayak accessible are what we are really looking for. Thanks in advance.
Help a brother: Easy kayak daytrips in the Keys?
(9 posts) (5 voices)-
http://watertribe.org/forums/topic/a-lot-of-florida-and-the-florida-keys-trips-for-you-info
MM, here is an interesting earlier post, may help. JR
Posted 5 years ago # -
MM, there are a couple B&Bs on Long Beach Drive (road off to the left, about a mile before Big Pine Key). These both face onto the Atlantic Ocean, and about 3/4 mi off shore are some beautiful coral reefs. We have not been down there in several years, but we used to go down there to access those reefs. Neat place. One of the B&Bs is located at 24 deg, 38.112' N, 81 deg, 21.292'W.
Keith
Posted 5 years ago # -
PainenDias
BlockedI took a wonderful trip to the Keys in March and found a delightful location for a few days near mile marker 84. The bridges have parking on both ends and the waters are clear. The tides could be a bit of a problem but the exploration is spectacular. Holiday Isle is just across US 1 on the south side and food and drink is plentiful. I left my G-Cat tied up for a few days at the dock on the north side of the bridge and security was spectacular. The compound right next to the NO TRESPASSING sign and the LOCKED GATE! The people there were not particularly friendly, but they did warm up a bit after they completed my criminal background check! You might say they would remember me!
Pennekamp Park at MM 106 has a beautiful canoe trail that winds among the convoluted channels right in Largo Sound. This has the added advantage of mangrove covering and the shade is refreshing. Of course you do have to pay to get into the park, but it is worth it if you are in the vicinity.
If you camp near Bahia Honda the next key is West Summerland Key near MM 30. There is a Boy Scout camp on the end of the Key. If you look at Google Maps you can see a square outline of a dug harbor on the north side of the island just as you come off the bridge. The edges of the pit are fun to wade in (bring water shoes) and the depth drops quickly down to about 25 feet. You can canoe, wade, and snorkel but if you get there later in the afternoon as the sun drops the shadows in the deeps make visibility difficult.
Posted 5 years ago # -
GatorBaitsMate
MemberUnfortunately there are no good places close to the entire Keys for good snorkling. There are a few coral heads in the Atlantic off big Pine Key, but you would need a GPS to find them, and they are a bit of a distance off shore.
If you have never been to Pennekamp I hope you won't be disappointed in the snorkling there or even the beach. You need to take a dive boat to get out to the reef for good snorkling.
Check out our site that Jolly roger posted above. You'll find just about all the good paddling places on the Keys as well as various places to launch
One possibility for some snorkling among mangrove Snappers while at Pennekamp: Launch at the kayak beach. and head east. Cross the main boat Channel in Largo Sound, and after you go around the mangroves on the other side of the channel, head south into a nice clear deep channel. It is marked with a white bouy.
As soon as you enter the channel tie up to a mangrove and on either side is good snorkling among the snappers.. Don't worry about power boats there. they are not allowed, but the tidal current is very strong.
Depending on the ages and abilities of your crew, ther is one other good spot, from Pennekamp but it is an all day out and back paddle to get there. I'll be glad to give you directions if you want them
jack L.
Posted 5 years ago # -
MisterMoon
MemberThanks GBM. We already plan on going out on dive boat offshore at least one day. Last year we went out to Looe Key and liked it very much. It's something like 10 miles from Bahia Honda and 5 miles offshore and waaaaay to far to kayak, at least for me. What I'm looking for snorkeling in the kayaks is a nice place to cruise over the grass beds and and among the mangroves. There's lots of interesting sea life to be found there, at least for someone who spends all their time on a freshwater reservoir.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Here is a good book about paddling the keys area: "Sea Kayaking in the Florida Keys" It is out of print, but you can pick up used copies: http://www.amazon.com/Kayaking-Florida-Keys-Bruce-Wachob/dp/1561641421/ref=cm_cr-mr-title
Here is another book by a long-time keys paddling guide: http://www.amazon.com/Florida-Keys-Paddling-Guide-Largo/dp/0881505447/ref=pd_sim_b_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0WSW5NDMEVPQ73C92PJJ I have not looked at it but it has gotten good reviews.
Keith
Posted 5 years ago # -
MisterMoon
MemberGatorBaitsMate wrote:
Unfortunately there are no good places close to the entire Keys for good snorkling. There are a few coral heads in the Atlantic off big Pine Key, but you would need a GPS to find them, and they are a bit of a distance off shore.
If you have never been to Pennekamp I hope you won't be disappointed in the snorkling there or even the beach. You need to take a dive boat to get out to the reef for good snorkling.
Check out our site that Jolly roger posted above. You'll find just about all the good paddling places on the Keys as well as various places to launch
One possibility for some snorkling among mangrove Snappers while at Pennekamp: Launch at the kayak beach. and head east. Cross the main boat Channel in Largo Sound, and after you go around the mangroves on the other side of the channel, head south into a nice clear deep channel. It is marked with a white bouy.
As soon as you enter the channel tie up to a mangrove and on either side is good snorkling among the snappers.. Don't worry about power boats there. they are not allowed, but the tidal current is very strong.
Depending on the ages and abilities of your crew, ther is one other good spot, from Pennekamp but it is an all day out and back paddle to get there. I'll be glad to give you directions if you want them
jack L.
I'd be interested in knowing the coordinates of the coral heads off Big Pine Key. I'm a Watertriber after all and GPS navigation isn't a big deal.
Posted 5 years ago # -
GatorBaitsMate
MemberCoral head no.1 is the western most one and is about three feet deep N24 37.145 W81 22.826
Coral head no.2 is the eastern most one N24 37.603 W81 21.241
It is tricky to find a place to launch from.
Look on our google web site for "Coupon Bight-Newfound Harbor Keys" -After you launch head left and take the fist cut out to the Atlantic.
Jack
Posted 5 years ago #
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