Tom Long's Sunset/Bioluminescence Paddle, Friday, May 08/2026

This event is free. Not even a parking or launch fee. Please read this in its entirety before signing up! You should eat dinner before this paddle.

Travel and paddle at your own risk. By signing up you accept all responsibility for damage to your boat or equipment, your vehicle, and any injuries (including fatal injuries) that you incur. Like all tours, this one is weather-dependent, but even more so than daytime paddles, so you'll need to pay attention to updates. Check this Meetup page before you start driving for the launch. Please arrive early enough to be fully ready at 7:00 PM EDT.

I can't promise any particular magnitude of bioluminescence in the
waters of Rookery Bay. However, I have never been out there in normal conditions and seen zero bioluminescence after it gets good and dark. And it could be spectacular. We will have NO interference from moonlight, the presence of which can diminish our ability to see bioluminescent organisms. The darker the sky, the brighter the biolumes appear to our eyes: hopefully dark enough to see the sparkle of the Dinoflagellate algae cells and/or the glowing, juvenile and adult (hopefully adult) Comb Jellies. But the bioluminescence isn't all we'll see.

Before we go looking for that, we'll watch several hundred birds land on the rookery island that gives Rookery Bay its name. Some of you may realize that the number is lower than on past trips to this island. Of all months, the fewest number of birds take roost nightly on the island in May. But it's still cool to watch. Eight species* of wading or diving birds could be there, and one speces** of song bird. Occasionally, we get a temporary landing of two more species***. As the sky turns dark, we will begin paddling through the mangrove trails, which are quite beautiful in the fading light, and unlike anything else you've paddled through, likely. In there we may see Yellow-Crowned Night Herons and Great Blue Herons, while occasionally hearing owls and Spotted Marsh Grasshoppers. And we're likely to see some lightning bugs in the mangroves.

This tour does not require a sea kayak or a skirt, although skirts help protect you from skeeters and noseeums. Speaking of them, bring bug repellant, and DO NOT leave it in your car just because you already applied some. You'll need it again while you're out there. They appear 12 months a year in the mangroves, especially after sunset. DEET-free spray does not work for many people, and if the bugs are very thick, the DEET-free sprays are particularly useless, in my experience. Don't be scared off by this. I recommend using spray with the active ingredient that's made of at least 20-25% DEET (not merely 15%, or less) and Deep Woods Off works very well. If they still bite, use more! It's not perfume, where less is more. It's bug spray. More is more. And I have learned this by doing this night tour over 150 times. It's also good to have long sleeves, long pants, and gloves to keep the little bastards off of you. But the clothes should breathe well, because it won't be cold. You won't need sunscreen that late in the day. We launch about one hour before sunset.

We will launch from the end of Shell Island Road, Naples. If you don't
know it, it runs west from Collier Blvd between US 41 and Marco Island,
from just north of the traffic light intersection at Fiddler's Creek Parkway. Use 11 Shell Island Rd Naples in Google Maps. I have found that WAYS and
AppleMaps tell you that you've arrived when you have not, so ditch
them.

The only port-a-john I know of on Shell Island Rd is at the edge of the road, at the FWC office, 1st building on the right after you turn from 951 onto Shell Island. Stop there on your way to the launch if you want to empty yourself before you start on a 3-hour, 15-minute paddle.

Drive to the end of the road, at the water's edge, to unload for the launch, then move your vehicle back to the parking lot that was on your left just before the 90-degree turn to your right, that brought you to the launch. Do not park for the whole trip in the launch area or you'll be in the way of others.

You must wear, properly, a proper-fitting life jacket (USCG Type III, or 70N). I will not permit anyone to participate who is not following my lifejacket instructions.

You will need to bring a hands-free flashlight that you can attach to
your vest with a carabiner or tether, or have on a head-mount. Bring a bottle of water. No alcohol, please.

No boats shorter than 10 feet allowed, and only if that's big enough to fit you. Bring dry clothes and a towel to leave in your car. If you are not in a boat you know for sure is comfortable for that duration, I suggest you bring a thick towel or a seat cushion to soften the ride. 3+ hours is a long time to sit on a hard plastic seat. There won't be any good place to get out until we return, although there are shallow spots you could stand in if you have a dire need to get out of your kayak and, well...you know.

I'll be having shoulder surgery soon, and this will be the last bioluminescence paddle I will lead for quite a few months.

If you have questions feel free to call my cell or text me at 239.963.6162.

See you Friday, May 8, 2026.
Tom Long

* Double-Crested Cormorants, Brown Pelicans, White Ibises, Little Blue Herons, Tri-Colored Herons, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and Reddish Egrets
** European Starlings
*** Roseatte Spoonbills and Magnificent Frigate Birds
**** Giraffes