1st Sunday Paddle/April: Wiggins Pass Area from Delnor-Wiggins St. Park Ramp

First off, don't be upset that the screenshot of the paddling track isn't oriented to True North. Think of it as Untrue North. The only way to fit it into the Meetup format was to rotate it 90 degrees to the right.

Please read this through to the end if you plan to attend.

The April, 2026 First Sunday Paddle will be in the Wiggins Pass/Cocohatchee River area and will be led by the wonderful Carrie Strickland, and possibly some of her Rebel Roller co-conspirators. The group will meet and start from the Delnor-Wiggins State Park Boat Launch.

We will paddle north with the end of the outgoing tide, cross over Wiggins Pass (mouth of the Cocohatchee River) and eventually turn into the Barefoot Beach Preserve Canoe Trail. We'll follow the trail all the way to it's termination where we will get out, stretch, put our boats out of the way a little, take advantage of the pit toilet restroom at the Collier County Beach Park, there, walk over to the beach side, perhaps for a quick swim, and finally re-launch.

We will return to Wiggins Pass, take one more quick stretch on the north side beach, and then head back towards our original launch site - OR - head a little ways upstream into the Cocohatchee River and follow the loop on the picture - OR - from the Pass, start heading back to the launch with a side trip (not in the screenshot) into the Double-Secret Tunnel. This tunnel has one of the more spectacular cathedral-like ceilings you'll see in a mangrove tunnel. ORRRR, you could combine all these elements. It will be Carrie's day-of decision to make.

Enter the park from 111th Avenue (which becomes Bluebill Ave) in north Naples. You'll have to pay a fee to launch. The gate there is no longer manned or womanned. There was a $4 cash only pay area at the launch point, unless you had a State Parks pass which you wrote the number on the slip and then hung the pass from your rearview mirror. This might have changed and there may be a kiosk with a QR code that only takes credit card payments and may or may not still be $4. We will find out on Sunday!

Although the tidal currents will be relatively mild that day, this paddle is not appropriate for true beginner level paddlers and could be as long as a little over 7 miles. Be certain you can paddle that far and keep up with the group if you're going to attend.
It is appropriate for recreational kayaks of at least 11 feet length, provided you know you can paddle that distance and keep up.

If you are bringing a tandem with another paddler just sign yourself up, and not a plus-1. If you're bringing another person who's not in the PCPC, with their own single, then add them as a plus-1.

There is a lot of parking space there but all the spaces are long enough for a truck and a big boat trailer. If you can double up in the spaces with another paddler from our group, that will be helpful.

There are no longer any public restrooms at the beach parking areas or on the bayside, where the boat launch is. Keep that in mind.

As always, an affirmative RSVP to this invitation means that you accept all responsibility for your actions and outcomes, and agree that you will not hold the Naples, Marco Island, Paradise Coast Paddlers Club, nor the organizers of this paddle, liable for any death or injuries you sustain, nor any equipment damage or loss you experience.

PFDs are absolutely mandatory and must be properly fitted, properly worn. No exceptions. Carrie will enforce this rule with her iron paddle.

You probably should bring snacks, 1½ liters of water, sunscreen, bug spray (with all least 25% DEET) and footwear that can get wet.

Please observe a quiet code when inside the mangrove tunnels. Quietness enhances the experience.

If you need to contact Carrie, use the messaging function in this event.

After the paddle, figure out where you'd like to EAT!

See you there!