For any of you kayakers that would like to see Toilet Seat Pass, this is from our Google web site:
TAVERNIER –COWPENS CUT AND TOILET SEAT PASS (Tavernier, Florida)
Trip Length: 8.5 miles
Short Description: Launch from a new, (2010) kayak launch into a canal, which leads to Tavernier Creek
-Paddle north west in Tavernier Creek for about a mile and a half to Florida Bay
-Turn left and paddle south for a little over a mile to "Dr May's Incision"
-Then paddle north west again for a short distance to "Toilet Seat Pass"
-Read some of the many messages on the toilet seats marking the pass and then head west to the
southern entrance of Cowpens Cut
-Head north through the cut and after exiting it head northeast back to Tavernier Creek
-On the way back in Tavernier Creek take a side trip in a mangrove tunnel and then return
Best weather conditions: Wind less than 10MPH
Comments: Best to do it on a weekday, since there could be a lot of boat traffic in Tavernier Creek and
Cowpens Cut (which is the intercoastal waterway) on weekends
-Good trip for all level paddlers, although at certain tides there could be some strong current in
Tavernier Creek.
-The highlight of this trip is Toilet Seat Pass and a nice mangrove tunnel
-Don't forget drinking water, insect repellent and sunscreen
-Water clarity is poor to excellent
-Hint - In the Keys brown water is shallow, (some times too shallow to paddle) and should be skirted.
Tan color or light is shallow. Green is deeper and blue is very deep with the darker blues being the
deepest
-Watch for baby sharks and rays
The Trip: Put in at a kayak launch beside route 1
-Heading south on route 1, immediately after you go over the Tavernier Creek Bridge, take a right as
if going into the Tavernier Creek marina
-The launch parking area will be on your immediate left at Coordinates:"L"
N25 00.199
W80 32.037
-After launching turn right and follow the canals to Tavernier Creek. at coordinates: "TC":
N25 00.265
W80 31.799
-Watch for passing powerboat traffic, and then turn left.
-There is plenty of room on the right side of the waterway to keep away from the boat traffic
-Paddle for about a mile and a half to Florida Bay at the north end of Tavernier Creek at coordinates
"TCN":
N25 00.901
W80 32.753
-Turn left and paddle south for a little over a mile to "Dr Mays Incision", (which is just a small cut
through the mangroves) at coordinates "DMI":
N24 59.891
W80 32.819
-Note: Half way through Dr. Mays Incision there is a foot log bridge that you have to duck under. If
the tide is too high and prevents getting under it, just turn back and when you exit go left for a short
distance and take a left at another waterway that parallels it.
-Then turn west and go a short distance to "Toilet Seat Pass" at coordinates: "TP":
N25 00.001
W80 33.069
-After exploring the pass head west to the southern entrance of Cowpens Pass toward coordinates:
"75" which is a buoy marker
N25 00.149
W80 33.559
-Head north through the pass, and then head back to Tavernier Creek at "TCN"
-Heading back in Tavernier Creek, keep on the left side, and take a left into a mangrove tunnel at
coordinates: "TCM":
N25 00.570
W80 31.957.
-This goes for a long way and eventually dumps you into a tiny little pond.
-Continue on the far side of the pond and eventually you come to another slightly bigger pond, (but
still tiny)
-This trip turns around here, but you are welcome to continue if you dare!
-Retrace your way back to Tavernier Creek, turn left, and then return via coordinates "TC"
Gatorbaitsmate
