Port of the Islands Kayaking

A Garmin Handheld GPS will be used for this trip!

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Port of the Islands is the gateway to The Ten Thousand Islands and the largest expanse of mangrove forest in North America. This will be a four hour kayaking tour which will penetrate deep into the mangrove forest with huge canopies creating mangrove tunnels for your paddling enjoyment.

Tide Information: High tide at 3:06 AM, Low tide at 10:22 AM, High tide 4:12 PM

Level: Advanced because we will be kayaking for 4-5 hours not counting lunch break and traversing 6.4 nautical miles. You must be in good physical condition and be able to kayak for that amount of time and distance.

Directions: Port of the Islands Marina is 14miles SE of CR-951 (Collier Blvd.) off US-41 or 10miles NW of SR-29 off US-41.

Kayak rentals are "not" available here so read carefully: you can pick up a kayak rental from Naples Kayak Company

Kayak Rentals read carefully: Call at least 2 days in advance.

Naples Kayak Company 239-262-6149, 183 10th Street South, Naples, FL 34102 see link. $10 fee for foam blocks to load on car.

$49.95 for a single all day

$59.95 for a double all day

Kayak Launch Fee at marina: $4.00

Additional Information: There are bathroom and water facilities at the Port of the Islands Marina. Parking is free. There is no bathroom along the trail just mother nature.

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Things to Bring:

Picnic Lunch or snacks (we will break for food)

Water or sensible liquids

Insect Repellent

Hat

Sunscreen

Dry Bag (or ziplock)

An adventurous spirit

Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Ten Thousand Islands NWR is located in Collier County on the southwest coast of Florida. Established in 1996, this 35,000 acres refuge protects important mangrove habitats and a rich diversity of native wildlife, including several endangered species.

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Approximately two thirds of the refuge is mangrove forest, which dominates most tidal fringes and the numerous islands (or keys). The northern third of the refuge consists of brackish marsh and interspersed ponds, and small coastal hammocks of oak, cabbage palms, and tropical hardwoods such as gumbo limbo.

Roughly 200 species of fish have been documented in the area and much of the sea grass beds and mangrove bottoms serve as vital nursery areas for marine fish. Over 189 species of birds use the refuge at some time during the year. Prominent bird groups include wading birds, shorebirds, diving water birds, and raptors. Common mammals found in the area include raccoon, river otter, and bottle-nosed dolphins.

Notable threatened and endangered species include West Indian manatee, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, wood stork, and the Atlantic loggerhead, green, and Kemp's Ridley sea turles

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All paddlers go their own risk, by signing up for this meetup you agree to the following:

Attendees understand that during their participation in any Events they may be exposed to a variety of hazards and risks, foreseen or unforeseen, which are inherent in each Event and cannot be eliminated without destroying the unique character of the Event. These inherent risks include, but are not limited to, property loss or damage, getting personally lost, trapped or separated from the group, and the dangers of serious personal injury and death (“Injuries and Damages”) from exposure to the hazards of our activities. Attendees know that Injuries and Damages can occur by natural causes, equipment failure or activities of other persons, animals, insects, plants, our surroundings, group members, Event leaders, organizers and assistants or third parties, either as a result of negligence or because of other reasons.

Attendees understand that risks of such Injuries and Damages are involved in outdoor activity such as our meetup Events and appreciate that they may have to exercise extra care for their own person and for others around them in the face of such hazards. They further understand that on any Event there may not be rescue or medical facilities or expertise necessary to deal with the Injuries and Damages to which they may be exposed.

Therefore in consideration for participating in Events, to the fullest extent allowed by law, Attendees agree to WAIVE, DISCHARGE CLAIMS, AND RELEASE FROM LIABILITY the organizers, leaders, volunteers and members of the group from any and all liability on account of, or in any way resulting from Injuries and Damages, even if caused by negligence, in any way connected with our Events. Attendees further agree to HOLD HARMLESS the organizers, leaders, volunteers and members of our group from any claims, damages, injuries or losses caused by their own negligence while a participant on the Event. Attendees understand and intend that this assumption of risk and release is binding upon their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and includes any minors or pets accompanying them on the Events. All Attendees have read this document in its entirety and freely and voluntarily assume all risks of such Injuries and Damages and notwithstanding such risks, agree to participate in the Events they attend under these terms.