Ten Thousand Islands Kayaking
A warm-weather coastal kayaking escape for people who love to paddle!
I know so many amazing intermediate paddlers. I had you in mind when designing this trip. It’s a big, 5-day wilderness kayaking trip, but - to take the pressure off - it’s arranged with two nights at each of two backcountry campsites. That means our paddles on days 2 and 4 are optional. On those days, you can choose to explore mangrove island mazes and look for diving pelicans on the water - or you can take it easy, soak in the scenery, and enjoy a paperback at our Gulf of Mexico campsites.
Speaking of those campsites: they’re stunning. We camp on white sand beaches all four nights of the adventure.
The trip intensity is slightly challenging. We have big paddling days when we move camp! If you are looking for something more mild, check out our Everglades & Keys Kayaking itinerary.
So what are you waiting for? Join me for an amazing adventure this winter in Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands!
Bad Adventures founder
Is this for me?
We keep it to no more than 8 amazing travelers plus a guide or two.
We paddle single-person sit-on-top touring kayaks all 5 days. The physical activity is moderate, but the paddling is sustained for a few hours each day. Depending on conditions, it’s possible that we encounter chop and crosswinds. All kayaking gear is provided!
We camp all four nights of the adventure in the Ten Thousand Islands backcountry. However, we only move camp once during the trip; on day 3. Dome-style tents and self-inflating camping mattresses are provided. You won’t share a tent unless you specifically request to.
Most of our meals are cooked together at camp. Your guides have prepared scrumptious recipes, will provision the trip, and lead meal preparations. This is gonna be yummy!
Traveling solo?
This trip works well for couples, friends, and solo travelers. The adventures we plan seem to attract like-minded people. Odds are, you'll enjoy the company of your fellow travelers.
There’s no singles supplement fee!
Here’s the plan…
To the Gulf Coast! Day 1
Welcome to warm, sunny Florida! We pick you up either from the Miami Tri-Rail Station or any of the designated gateway hotels near Miami International Airport.
We point the van west and journey to the Ten Thousand Islands on the Gulf Coast.
At our put-in, we reorganize our gear into the provided dry bags and enjoy a tasty lunch. We load our boats and paddle to our first camp in the Ten Thousand Islands backcountry. We set up tents, enjoy a yummy dinner, and close out the day by taking in our first of four sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. Now this is the life!
Explore the Islands Day 2
Today’s optional paddle takes us into a maze of mangrove islands. We look for diving pelicans and dolphin pods along the way!
Prefer to take it easy? You can stay at camp, walk the beach, and enjoy some well-earned R&R.
A scrumptious hot dinner caps off a magnificent day in the wilderness.
Along the Coast Day 3
After a hearty breakfast, we pack up camp, load the boats, and weave our way through barrier islands along the Gulf of Mexico. Flocks of wood storks and white ibises cheer us along!
Our beach campsite for the final two nights of the trip awaits us after a long day of paddling.
Island Circumnavigation Day 4
There is lots to explore around camp by boat! The circumnavigation of the island we camp on typically features excellent pelican watching. We watch the pelicans fish, and keep our eyes peeled for sea turtles and dolphins. Like on day 2, you’re also free to skip the kayaking and relax at camp.
We enjoy one last hot meal together and watch the sun dip below the horizon.
Paddle Out Day 5
Wait? The adventure’s ending? After our final breakfast together in the backcountry, we load the kayaks and ride the tide in as we return to our put-in. We weave through mangrove islands and peer over the town of Chokoloskee as we float past.
The adventure concludes with lunch at a local restaurant and a drive back to the Miami area. What a trip!
How intense is this?
Overall, this is a slightly challenging to very challenging trip.
Paddle to Camp 1
Potential wind and rough sea state can make this paddle moderately challenging.
Mild to Moderately Challenging
Distance
6¾ to 7½ miles
Explorative Paddle 1
We explore the area around our camp. We only paddle as far as each group wants to go, often with a smaller group that splits off and goes back to camp after 2 miles. Potential wind can make this paddle slightly more challenging.
Easy to Moderate
Distance
2 to 6 miles
Paddle to Camp 2
This paddle has several large bay crossings that can become very challenging if there is consistent wind and rough sea state.
Moderate to Very Challenging
Distance
12½ to 13 miles
Explorative Paddle Around Camp 2
We circumnavigate the large key we camp on. Potential wind and rough sea state can make this paddle just slightly more challenging.
Easy to Moderate
Distance
3¾ miles
Paddle to Takeout
Potential wind and rough sea state can make this paddle more challenging, especially on the large bay crossings.
Moderate to Very Challenging
Distance
13 miles
What’s included?
5-Day, 4-Night Kayak Expedition
A backcountry paddling adventure through mangrove mazes and barrier islands.
4 Nights of Spectacular Tent Camping
We spend all four nights camping on white sand beaches in the backcountry. Tents and comfy camping mattresses are provided.
Kayak & Paddling Gear
We'll bring a single-person 16-foot sit-on-top touring kayak, paddle, lifejacket, dry bags, and more for you to use.
Services of a Guide or Two
Friendly, accommodating, fully credentialed, and always professional.
4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, and 4 Dinners
We're talking about meticulously planned yummy provisions.
National Park Admission and All Permits
Sit back and relax! We've got the red tape covered.
Transportation in Florida
Ride in style in a comfortable Ford Transit passenger van.
Group gear
Medical kit, satellite phone, navigation supplies, and more.
Your flights or other transportation to and from the trip, your accommodations the night before and the night after the trip, lunch on day 5, your personal clothing and gear on the packing list, travel insurance, and guide gratuity.
What should I pack?
We put together a recommended packing list with all the clothing and gear you need for the trip.
Where do we meet?
Miami Airport Area Hotels
If you arrive via Miami International Airport, we can pick you up from any of the following six nearby hotels between 8:30 and 9:00 AM on the first morning:
Miami Tri Rail Station
If you arrive via Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, you should plan to take the Tri Rail train from the Fort Lauderdale Airport station to the Miami Airport station on the first day of the trip. These are our recommended Fort Lauderdale Airport-area hotels: Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port, Homewood Suites by Hilton Ft.Lauderdale Airport-Cruise Port, Residence Inn by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port. They are all walking distance of the Fort Lauderdale Airport Tri Rail Station.
If arriving by Tri Rail, we will pick you up at 8:20 AM the first morning. We meet at passenger pickup at the south end of the platform, beyond the ticket offices.
Gulf Coast Visitor Center Boat Launch
If arriving by private vehicle, we can meet you at our put-in/take-out just adjacent to the Gulf Coast Visitor Center at 11:00 AM. Please park in the grassy overflow lot.
Where does the trip end?
If you arrived by private car, you can choose to depart from the takeout between 12:00 and 2:00 PM or join the group in town for a final lunch (not included). Bad Adventures can also drop you off at either the Miami International Airport, the Miami Tri Rail Station, or any of our recommended hotels between 4:00 and 6:00 PM. If flying out the night the trip ends, we do not recommend booking a flight before 8:00 PM.
FAQs
You don’t need to be an expert-level paddler for this adventure. However, having a base of kayak fundamentals is likely to make this adventure easier.
Our Everglades & Keys Kayaking adventure may be a better choice if you have zero kayaking experience.
We tent camp all four nights of the trip on beach islands in the Ten Thousand Islands. We move camp only once during our adventure, on day 3.
Dome-style backpacking tents and self-inflating camping mattresses are provided. You’ll have a tent all to yourself, unless you specifically request to share with someone.
The water in the Ten Thousand Islands is too salty for alligators. We’re unlikely to encounter any.
No problem. Just please let us know what you’re packing that's beyond the scope of the packing list, so we can load for the trip accordingly.
Weather varies, but we expect daytime highs in the 70's and nighttime lows in the 50's. We'll also prepare for unseasonably cold nights, strong winds, and unexpected storms. In anticipation for your trip, we recommend checking the weather forecast for Everglades City, FL.
Nah. That’s pretty unlikely. This trip is solo traveler friendly!
You can reserve your spot by paying a $299 deposit. The balance is due 60 days before the trip. Be sure to read the complete Trip and Course Policies.
We recommend taking out a travel insurance policy. Bad Adventures reserves the right to cancel trips and a travel insurance policy keeps you protected. See the Travel Insurance Page for more information.
There's no cancellation fee if you decide to cancel 90 days or more before the trip and we'll even refund your deposit! However, if you cancel less than 90-days before the trip, your deposit is nonrefundable. Additionally, there are significant cancellation fees if you decide to cancel your registration 59 days or less before the trip. Be sure to read the complete Trip and Course Policies.
We only advertise trips we plan to operate. Since our founding in 2013, Bad Adventures has never canceled a multi-day trip. However, we must reserve the right to do so. Be sure to review our Trip and Course Policies and purchase travel insurance.
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