Hidden Treasures of Florida's Gulf Coast: Kayaking Anna Maria Island

The Trip

Located between the turquoise Gulf of Mexico and peninsular Florida, the barrier island of Anna Maria is a natural and laid-back paradise. It is a slice of old Florida -- how things looked years ago before the Florida development boom. We’ll enjoy a seven-mile strip of white sand beach, famous Gulf of Mexico sunsets, bird watching, and wildlife viewing. We’ll paddle and explore some of the beautiful and pristine waterways of the area, including Sarasota Bay, Little Sarasota Bay, Fort Desoto Park, and the Manatee, Myakka, Braden, and Hillsborough rivers. We’ll return each evening to a charming and upscale island beach house located within a short walk to a preserved stretch of beach that beckons visitors to explore it.

This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, tides, or other factors.

Day 1: We will provide van transportation/airport pickup at 3 p.m. outside the United Airlines baggage claim area at Tampa International Airport (TPA). For those driving, we will give you directions to the Anna Maria Island lodging where we will be staying. We will start the outing at 4 p.m. at the lodging. We'll assign rooms, make introductions, go over the itinerary for the week, and enjoy a huge welcome dinner.

Day 2: After a hearty breakfast, the trip leaders will give paddling and safety instruction and get everyone geared up for an incredible week of kayaking. Today, we’ll search for dolphins, manatees, rays, horseshoe crabs, osprey, pelicans, egrets, ibis, and more, as we paddle some of the peaceful tidal waterways that surround Anna Maria Island. As we navigate our kayaks past mangrove islands, marsh, and coastal grasslands, you will see why this area is truly a special place. 

Day 3: At 1,136 acres, Fort De Soto Park is the largest park within the Pinellas County Park System. Fort De Soto Beach was named America's top beach in 2009 by Trip Advisor, and also in 2005 by "Dr. Beach." The parks natural ecosystems are home to scores of native plants and wildlife species, including more than 328 different species of birds, nesting loggerhead sea turtles, and a variety of sea life. We'll spend the day exploring the park's 7 miles of waterfront (including 3 miles of beach), historic fort, and kayaking among the mangroves, wetlands, palm hammocks, and five interconnected keys (islands) within the park. 

Day 4: We’ll spend the entire day with Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium. Mote is an independent marine research institution committed to the belief that the conservation and sustainable use of our oceans begins with research and education. We’ll visit the unique one-of-a-kind aquarium, marine life rescue and rehabilitation facility, and also search for dolphins, manatees, osprey, eagles, and other Florida wildlife on an eco-boat tour of the bay. 

Day 5: A bit of a drive today, but well worth it as we paddle the magical Hillsborough River. Flowing 54 miles from its headwaters in the Green Swamp to its mouth in Tampa Bay, the river is rich in history dating back thousands of years, as well as amazing scenery and wildlife viewing. On past trips, we have observed an amazing amount of wildlife along the river-Including ibis, roseate spoonbills, limpkins, wood storks, several heron species, alligators, turtles, dragonflies, and much more. As we dip our paddles in and out of the beautiful blackwater, we’ll likely see white ibises drift in the shadows over willow bordered pools as we pass under tall water oaks softly trailed with grey Spanish moss. We will put some space between us, paddle slowly, and take all day to enjoy what many folks call their favorite paddle trip in the entire State of Florida.

Day 6: Today, we'll search for alligators, birds, and other wildlife, as we explore Myakka River State Park and the Braden River. The Myakka River has been designated a Florida Wild and Scenic River and flows through 58 square miles of wetlands, prairies, hammocks, and pinelands. We'll do some wildlife viewing and birding, and enjoy a canopy walkway situated high among the treetops. Next, we'll paddle a scenic and sparsely developed section of the Braden River. We’ll end the day with a group farewell dinner at a local restaurant specializing in seafood, and toast to a week of kayaking and exploring with new friends.

Day 7: After having breakfast and bidding farewell to new friends, this Florida vacation will be officially over by mid-morning. We will provide van transportation to Tampa International Airport (TPA) and plan to have folks there by noon. Please do not book a departing flight any earlier then 2 p.m. to allow yourself enough time.

Getting There

Tampa, Florida offers the nearest major airport and is about a 30-minute drive from our trip lodging. We will provide airport pick up on day one and airport drop off on day seven of the outing to and from Tampa International Airport (TPA). We will provide driving directions for those who plan on driving themselves. Please do not make travel arrangements until the leader has confirmed you as a trip member.

Accommodations and Food

We will spend six nights in an upscale island house located across the street from a preserved stretch of beach on Anna Maria Island, Florida. Participants coming alone will share rooms and couples will room together. Participants will take turns helping the leaders prepare meals and clean up. The first meal will be dinner on day one of the outing, and the last meal will be breakfast on day seven of the outing. We will go out to dinner one time and lunch one time during the week; this dinner and lunch are not included in the trip price.

Trip Difficulty

Our kayak adventures will feature intermediate routes, averaging 5-10 miles in distance and 3-5 hours on the water each day on this Florida vacation. Walking will be short distances on fairly flat terrain. We will stop to take periodic breaks and eat lunch each day. You need not be an expert kayaker, but it is expected that you have some previous kayaking experience and that you are able to keep up with the group at a reasonable pace. Basic paddling and safety instruction will be given on the first day of the outing. Each participant should understand that this is a group outing and that you will be required to stay with the group while on the water and follow all instructions given by your guides. You should be flexible as plans and itineraries often change due to weather, group ability, tides, water levels, or other unforeseen reasons. We will provide van transportation to and from our daily activities.

Note: Please be aware that alligators, snakes, dolphins, manatees, and even sharks are a regular highlight on kayak adventures in Florida waters. They are not interested in kayaks or kayakers, but you should be comfortable paddling among them and other wildlife.

Equipment and Clothing

We will provide rental kayaks, paddles, and life jackets. You are also welcome to bring your own favorite paddle or life jacket. We will provide airport pick up and drop off at Tampa International Airport (TPA) as well as van transportation to and from our daily activities. A full gear list will be sent to all confirmed participants prior to the outing.

References

• Jahoda, Gloria, The River of the Golden Ibis. University Press of Florida, 2000.
• Molloy, Johnny, Canoeing and Kayaking Florida. Menasha Ridge Press, 2007.
• Ohr, Tim, Florida’s Fabulous Canoe and Kayak Trail Guide. World PUBNS, 2006.
• Stratton, Michael, Florida State Parks. Mountaineers Books, 2000. 

Conservation

Is there such a thing as environmentally friendly tourism or are some of the places that we enjoy exploring being “loved to death?” The State of Florida receives millions of visitors annually. Whether visiting for a few days, a week, or several months, these visitors greatly impact the areas that they travel to.

Some regulations and safeguards have been put in place:

• Banning food or drink in its original disposable containers on certain waterways

• Limiting motorboat horsepower

• No-wake zones

• Limiting or banning parking near headsprings and having buffer zones along waterways

• Placing specialized containers near docks, boat ramps, and waterways to provide a place to discard and recycle used fishing lines

These programs have definitely had an impact. Something as simple as banning original food and drink containers on some waterways has been very effective and has cut down on the amount of trash in these waterways by a huge amount. New environmental programs and technologies must continue to be put in place to help further protect these areas that we use. Something as simple as the sunscreen and insect repellant used by millions of visitors impacts the environment and water quality of the areas that we paddle and visit. We’ll talk about what’s being done and see if we can come up with any ideas of some new things that can be done.