This winter has been truly awful. And to top it off, that darned ground hog saw his shadow so it looks like we can kiss an early Spring good-bye. A late-winter escape to a warm weather paddling spot has never sounded better! Here are a few of our favorites:
The 10,000 Islands and Everglades south of Marco Island
An empty sandy beach south of Marco
The area south of Marco Island on the Gulf Coast of Florida is a maze of mangrove islands that line the coast like a jade necklace. They are uninhabited and some of them have beautiful, white sand beaches that you can have all to yourself – perfect for camping, or a picnic, or shell-hunting, or bird-watching, or napping.
Most of the time, the Gulf is pretty flat in this area, although it can get windy. Once in a while, a cold front will come
through and it will get a swell. So adrenaline junkies have a small chance of quenching that thirst. Here Mitch is taking advantage of some nice surf just south of Marco.
Click to watch video Marco Surf2
Northern Florida
The Ichetucknee River is incredibly incredible! 6 miles of the clearest water you can imagine. It’s like paddling on top of an aquarium!
North Central Florida has some of the most beautiful paddling spots that we have ever seen. Picture giant cypress trees draped in mysterious-looking Spanish moss, crystal clear spring-fed creeks that empty into coffee-colored rivers, and the springs themselves with their millions of mesmerizing shades of blue. Northern Florida can be very chilly in January and February. But March, when the azaleas begin to bloom, is the perfect time to get your paddles wet. (Check with us this summer for a schedule of our
Rum Island Springs on the Santa Fe River. The Santa Fe is dotted with these springs. Great for exploring!
guided-trip to this area for March of 2015).
Fun surf can be found all along the northern Florida east coast. Mitch on a perfect SUP wave at Flagler Beach.
La Jolla in Southern California
Nosing into a La Jolla cave.
On many beaches in Southern California, the surf is way too big for normal mortals to conquer. But La Jolla has a nice little cove area that, usually, is manageable. Thus, the 50 million kayakers and paddleboarders! There are caves, and rocks covered with curious seals, and kelp forests filled with fish and turtles. And that warm California sun!
You won’t be alone!
Jenifer checking out the locals