Sierra Club Outings | Famous Florida Beaches and Rivers

Photo: Patrick Nichols

Highlights:

Stay at a beautiful beach house
Explore old St. Augustine and Castillo de San Marcos
See dolphins and manatees

Includes:

Most meals
Kayak instruction and gear
All transportation and entrance fees

Join us on a beach adventure that spans from Cape Canaveral to St. Augustine. Each day we'll discover the lure of the ocean and sand. Kayak inner coastal waterways with friendly manatees and learn the secrets of Florida’s famous beaches.
Our trip takes us to a 16-mile stretch of undeveloped beach that is shared with wildlife and rockets. The surf explodes and sparkles as it rolls on to acres of white sand and shell beaches.

The endless search for the Fountain of Youth brings us to forts made of ancient coral and settlements rich in history. Expect sunrises that sizzle, and secret, starlit strolls. Plant your toes in the sand and let the waves wash away your worries.

Day 1: We'll meet at a comfortable well-appointed beach house at 3 p.m. Directions to the house will be sent to all participants. After greetings, I will offer a “dry land” introduction to kayaking instruction. Then we are off for a guided stroll on the beach and a swim. Dinner is the first meal of the trip. After dinner, I will present more details on the week's activities.

Day 2: Start the day with a spectacular sunrise and stroll on the beach. Today we'll paddle the Indian River Lagoon. This is a refuge for countless sea birds and is frequently visited by manatees and dolphins. After a morning of paddling, we'll sample the local cuisine for lunch (this lunch is not included in the trip price). Following lunch, we'll visit Apollo Beach and a real Florida ghost town. The view from largest shell mound on the east coast is a wonderful way to finish the day.

Day 3: After a Southern style breakfast, we'll kayak the Indian River in search of manatee. Then we'll approach an island bird sanctuary. There will be a large variety of wildlife on this federal and state managed refuge. Lunch will be at the beach. Bring your cameras and swim suits.
Hiking the expansive white sand of New Smyrna Dunes is a fascinating finish for the day.

Day 4: Traveling along the coast, we will arrive at the last stronghold of the Timucua Indians on the Tomoka River. We'll paddle the water trails of ancient warriors into the tidal river and creeks in search of manatee and shore birds.

Day 5: A day at the beach! Our destinations are the lesser-known and more remote beaches. We'll pass Marineland (Florida’s first theme park) and have a leisurely lunch and hike at Washington Oaks Gardens, where there's always something blooming.
We will take a short cruise to Fort Matanzas. Keep your cameras handy. The spectacular seaside oaks and coquina fort construction will bring out your inner photographer.

Day 6: We'll start with a paddle on Salt Run on Anastasia Island. The beach is enormous and will leave you feeling like you have been walking on the moon. In the afternoon we will cross Matanzas Bay and visit the Castillo De San Marcos. This is “old” St. Augustine. We will take some time to stroll streets laid out hundreds of years before and listen for the whispers of past.

Day 7: After a morning walk on the beach, we'll gather for our final breakfast and farewells. It is easy to see why this coast attracts so many and how it draws us back time and time again. The trip ends at 10 a.m.

The leaders will make every reasonable effort to meet the goals outlined in the itinerary. Please keep in mind that weather or other conditions beyond our control may cause us to modify the itinerary in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the group.

We will be staying a beach house with shared rooms. All meals will be provided and served Southern style.

Kayaking experience is not needed, but participants should be good swimmers and be fit. The trip leader is a certified ACA kayak instructor. This would be and excellent trip for first-time kayakers and seasoned paddlers alike.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

Patrick Nichols, an outdoor specialist by trade, is trained by the Red Cross and American Canoe Association in canoeing and coastal kayaking. He has taught kayaking, canoeing, and backpacking for 25 years and is a wilderness first responder.

E-mail: flakayak@bellsouth.net