Paddle to the Stilt Houses and Island Time on Durney Key

Please read full event description before signing up.

Let's paddle out to the historic stilt houses and enjoy some island time on nearby Durney Key. Excellent opportunity to see wildlife. Such as dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, bald eagles and plenty of wading birds. This will be a relaxed paddle. If you're in hurry or on a time constraint this event is not for you. It will be a roundtrip between 5-6 miles.

BYOK or rentals are available thru Sarah at Salty Dog Kayak Rentals. Here is the link Salty Dog Kayak Rentals. If you plan on renting. I'd recommend that you reserve asap as she quickly gets booked. Also, please do not sign up until you've secured a kayak. When booking online in the "How Did You Hear About Us" section, please indicate "Suncoast Outdoors" so, that she will know that you're launching with us.

Skill Level: Intermediate due to distance and approximately a mile in unprotected waters. (see below)

Skill Level Definitions (Florida Paddling Trail Association)
Beginner: New to paddling and may need tips and or instructions about paddling strokes, safety procedures and entering/exiting kayaks. Comfortable on short trips of 1 to 3 miles on protected waters, when wind does not exceed 5 mph.
Novice: Paddlers acquainted with basic paddle stokes and can manage kayak handling independently in winds not exceeding 10 mph on protected waters. Comfortable on trips up to 6 miles.
Intermediate: Paddlers with experience in basic strokes and some experience on different venues, including some open water. Comfortable on trip distances of 6 to 10 miles, winds not exceeding 15 mph.
Advanced: Seasoned paddlers who possess skills and experience to paddle all venues and conditions. Experienced in self-rescues. Should be comfortable paddling more than 10 miles in a day.

Paddlers should have all proper safety equipment and check conditions before departure. All paddlers should always wear PFDs while on the water and leave a float plan. There are inherent dangers in any paddle sport. There are special hazards along the Florida coast due to shifting tides, changing wind and weather, shallow waters, and treacherous bottoms with soft mud, rocks, and oyster bars.
It is up to each paddler to be aware of these dangers, to accept and be prepared for the risks involved, and to be certain they have the skills to safely paddle in these conditions.

Launch: Werner Boyce Salt Springs State Park's kayak launch, and we will wet our paddles right at 9am. So, please get there in enough time to prepare your gear. There is approximately a 150ft. portage from the parking lot to the launch via a nice boardwalk. Kayak wheels are recommended. There is an entrance fee of $4.00 to enter the state park. This is paid online only or use your Florida State Park Annual Pass by displaying it on your dash. Florida State Parks - The park opens at 8am and there are restroom facilities available.

Float Plan: We'll head west through Salt Springs Run, then follow the southern shoreline weaving thru mangrove islands, paddling by Brasher Park and Boggy Bay. Close to the 2-mile mark. We'll be approaching Durney Key, and we'll have to cross a boat channel. We will then paddle to one or two of the stilt houses before landing on Durney Key for Island Time. Expect to be on the island for an hour. We'll play it by ear so, please go with the flow. For our return, we'll paddle back generally in the same direction that we came but, we'll paddle by Cow Key back into Salt Springs Run and may weave around a few of the scenic mangrove islands as we make our back to the launch and conclude our journey.

Afterwards, please join us to rehydrate and replenish those spent calories, at Whiskey River on The Water: 5245 Limestone Dr., Port Richey, FL 34668 Whiskey River On The Water - A Scenic Bar & Grill Experience in Port Richey

IMPORTANT It is your responsibility to be USCG & state compliant, which is having a PFD and whistle/air horn. I highly recommend that you wear your PFD at all times. It does you no good if it's strapped on your boat.

Items that you may want to bring plenty of hydration, snacks, lunch, a good hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, closed toe water shoes, towel and a chair for the island.

Please monitor this event as this is where I will communicate any cancellations or updates. On day of event, feel free to text or call: 813-442-1615.

YOUR RSVP TO ATTEND A "SUNCOAST OUTDOORS " SPONSORED EVENT IS YOUR EXPRESS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF FULL PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR ALL ASSOCIATED RISKS.
If you bring a guest who is not currently a member of Suncoast Outdoors, you have assumed such liability for that guest. Your guest is free to join our group and register individually, thereby releasing you from any such liability.
Possible risks from participation include, but are not limited to:
Injury from a trip & fall, drowning, venomous snakes, stinging insects, venomous spiders, wildlife encounters, heat stroke, hypothermia, noxious vegetation, weather related injury, insect or airborne transmissible virus and disease, smoke inhalation, wildfire, falling trees.

This is not a professional tour nor am I a professional guide.