I’m want to canoe in the Everglades and I am looking for some advice. I will be going in the middle of February and I am currently searching the Internet for information.
I thought I would come here to to see if anyone has done this or knows anything about it. I think I will spend three days and two nights out there.
Anyone here have advice on routes, equipment, where to rent canoes or kayaks, maps or best contacts for me to talk to?
Be prepared for an early rainy season. February is pretty dry, but sometimes the storms come early. You don’t want to be caught out on the slough in a metal boat unless you know you can get out of there fast. Especially if you don’t know how to read the clouds. More people get harmed by lightening down there than by anything reptilian.
You could go into the National Park or you could go into the state conservation areas. The boating will be better in the latter since that’s where water is stored before being released into park and into the canals (at least this is how it worked when I was down there seven years ago…before all the restoration projects were underway). But the conservation areas are also where you’ll find yahoos feeding alligators and throwing beer cans all over the place and being crazy. The National Park is a lot more scenic, quieter, and safer. One thing to check out would be the tram road at the Shark Valley entrance. It’s kind of busy at this time of year, but it’s still worth it to see.
As of 2013 at least, BoBettie worked at a company that provided kayak tours in the Everglades. She hasn’t been online since the end of 2014, but a PM might get her attention.
I can PM you the name of the company if you’re interested.
PM’d. Thanks in advance for the info
…and responded. Sorry for the delay - I didn’t get a chance to log in yesterday.
Hope it works out for you!
Couple of thoughts:
Carry some good waterproof binocs and a bird guidebook - Everglades birds are really something.
Either bring a good supply of DEET and mosquito netting, or wish you had.