🌴Suncoast Outdoors🥾

This event is the change in venue for the cancelled paddle to Pelican Pass. Original attendees will be given priority.

Please read full description before signing up.

This is a BYOK. It will be a relaxed and casual paddle from a protected cove out to several scenic spoil islands, including Horseshoe Is. and Bird Island. These waters of St. Joeseph Sound are crystal clear with grassy bottoms and checkered with oyster bars. We will land and enjoy some island time on one or two of the islands. It's a very scenic paddle and great opportunity to encounter wildlife such as, dolphins, manatees & sea turtles. The paddle will be between 5-6 miles. Ending time is an approximate so if you're in a hurry or on a time constraint then, this paddle is not for you.

Skill Level: Intermediate (Please scroll down to bottom for skill level definitions). You must be able to maintain a speed of 2-2.5 miles comfortably, have done this distance before and comfortable being in unprotected waters.

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: Pop Stansell Park which has no entrance fee, a beach launch with a short portage, limited parking and has restrooms.

Float Plan: We will wet our paddles at 8:30a. We will begin by heading SW along the Palm Harbor shoreline and we'll come to our first scenic island around the 1.75-mile mark. We'll definitely stop here for a short time so, everyone can explore. We will then paddle north to Horseshoe Island, which is only about .50 mile away. We can also get out and check out the island, too. From here, we'll continue north for another .50 mile and encircle Bird Island. This is a bird sanctuary so we will not land. It's a cool place to see what might be roosting there. Perhaps, a few white pelicans might still be around? Our final stop is another scenic island to the north about .50 mile. This a beautiful island and we can make another stop as well. The final leg to the launch is about 2 miles and we'll be passing by several scenic islands on our way in. If the group feels like paddling a little more, we can causally explore the protective coves before ending our journey.

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

Withlacoochee State Forest is a wonderful place to be early in the morning! Let's start early from the Ridge Manor trailhead and give this trail a little LOVE! Note, I am not able to do prehikes so please be prepared for anything.

We will utilize the orange (river) and blue trails and enjoy a lovely combo of open sky and forest canopy, and pine needle/dirt and sugar sand trails that loosely follow the curves of the withlacoochee river. There's lots to see including the river, cliffs, cypress domes, oak hammocks, pine nurseries, wildlife, and hopefully a few colorful winter flowers.

Because of the season, this might be a bit of a wet or muddy hike and also there might be lots of sun. But if it happens to rain, I will still see you there anyway. We will hike at a moderate pace and take a 20 minute break for a snack. To do this hike, you must also have experience with hiking 7 miles in the heat.

On the day of the hike, please meet me before 730am at the pavilion next to the bathroom and the parking lot. We will leave promptly at 740am. Because of the early start time, please don't count on the trailhead bathrooms being open or water being available.

You will need at least 3 liters of water, snacks, bug spray, sunscreen, a hat, hikers, and anything else you deem necessary for your comfort. There are very few benches so you may want to bring a ground cloth to sit on during the snack break.

My number on the day of the hike is 813-713-2492.