Halfway Creek, 3-Hour Tour, 3 miles, Easy Active
Enchantment, Mystery, and Adventure! Discover the timeless Everglades backcountry and take a lifetime of memories with you! Beyond the asphalt, there is another world waiting. Where the pavement and make-believe ends, and the real Florida begins – flat water rivers, lush tropical jungle, twisting mangrove tunnels and a habitat rich in wildlife. Kayaking is without a doubt one of the best and certainly our favorite way to experience the Everglades. Quiet and unobtrusive to wildlife, it is a great way to see things "up close and personal." Imagine paddling quietly, observing breathtaking beauty and gliding up close to the local wildlife. Let go of stress and discover why our paddle trips will become the highlight to your vacation.
This three-hour tour is rated "easy active" and is an excellent introduction to kayaking and the Everglades for anyone of any age. Families are welcome. We paddle a total of about three miles at a slow, easy pace. No previous kayaking experience is required.
Itinerary:
Meet your kayaking guide and the other members of your tour on the Glades Haven Marina boat ramp at 1:00 PM. Glades Haven is located at 801 South Copeland Avenue, Everglades City, FL 34139 and is easily found directly across the street from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center. After a brief orientation, paddle lesson and safety instruction, we head out onto the warm and calm waters of Everglades National Park. We paddle the nearby Halfway Creek which narrows as we head upstream where the mangroves close in to form a canopy overhead. Referred to as a mangrove tunnel, this small sun dappled creek leads deep into the heart of the Everglades. Every day is different and things 
change rapidly in this wilderness environment, but we often encounter dolphins, manatees, osprey, herons, ibis, pelicans, as well as a variety of fish and sub-surface marine life. This tour takes place in the brackish water (salt and fresh mix) mangrove estuary habitat of Everglades National Park. Some guests are relieved (and others disappointed) to learn that this brackish water is not the preferred habitat of alligators and we rarely encounter them on this tour. Are you relieved or disappointed?
It is occasionally necessary to revise our planned route due to guests' interests and skill levels, current water depths, tidal currents, safe weather conditions, and wind/wave levels. The area is vast and there is much to see, so whatever actual route we select depends on local conditions that day. We end the tour back at the boat ramp at Glades Haven Marina at 4:00 PM.
Guide:
You will be guided by a certified Florida Master Naturalist guide. Our guides have a pulse on the Everglades and have chosen to live and work in the area as a way of life. They are experienced naturalists who are passionate about this fragile ecosystem. Allow them to show you their secret places while sharing their vast knowledge of this irreplaceable world treasure. Our guides are certified Open Water Sea Kayak Instructors and Wilderness First Responders. You will be in knowledgeable, safe and experienced hands.
Safety:
Safety is paramount. Even if you have never kayaked before, paddling in the Everglades is very safe and great for beginners because our water is warm, flat and shallow. Your guide, a certified Wilderness First Responder trained to respond to emergencies in the backcountry, will thoroughly discuss safety procedures before we head out. Everyone is required to wear a provided PFD (life vest) for the duration of the tour. Your guide will also carry safety, navigation and communications equipment. You will be paddling in comfortable and stable high-quality kayaks and using the best equipment. The type of kayak used will be based on your experience and the current weather conditions. We never go out if dangerous weather conditions (lightening, waves, wind, etc) threaten.
What's Included:
This tour includes in the price: three hours of professional instruction and guiding, single or double kayaks including all kayaking and safety equipment, and all required permits. We use comfortable and stable, single and double, sit-on-top and sit-inside recreational kayaks. You may chose a single or double kayak at your preference. These boats are not the narrow and confining sea kayaks used with spray skirts that you may have seen or used in the past. You need to bring nothing from home except a few personal items discussed below.
What to Bring:
Please bring good sun protection including wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, long sleeved shirt, waterproof sun block and lip balm. Also bring insect repellant with 15-30% DEET. Most importantly, wear protective footwear for walking in water, deep soft mud, and sharp oyster shells. Your shoes will get wet. Sport shoes work great but no flip flops. Don't forget your camera and binoculars!
Cancellation:
Although infrequent, it is sometimes necessary for us to cancel or modify a trip because of unusual or unexpected circumstances. We reserve the right to cancel or modify any trip due to adverse weather conditions, water levels, forest fires, hurricanes, permit restrictions, or other circumstances beyond our control. In the event of a cancellation or modification of a trip, we will fully refund the tour price but we cannot be held responsible for any other resulting expenses (transportation, lodging, etc.) incurred by guests.
What's Next:
Interested? Please give us a call (1-239-695-2162) or drop us an email and we'll be happy to answer your questions. We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Many trips fill fast so reserve your adventure today.