Wilderness Waterway Kayaking
DAYS
Intensity
This is a big one! We're planning two departures to kayak Florida’s 99-mile Wilderness Waterway this January and February. Our itinerary takes us from the northernmost to southernmost parts of Everglades National Park. Over eight incredible days, we paddle tight mangrove mazes, expansive bays, sawgrass prairies, and cypress forests. Each night, we self-support kayak camp on shell mounds, beaches, and elevated chickee platforms - directly over the water.
This is an explorer's delight! Our itinerary takes us into the most remote parts of the Everglades, far deeper into the backcountry than most National Park visitors venture. Our trip is punctuated by sighting diving pelicans, wading herons, industrious woodpeckers, and hundreds of other bird species. In the water, we keep our eyes peeled for sea turtles, dolphins, manatees, alligators, and even crocodiles!
This is one truly special place. Marjory Stoneman Douglas’ seminal book, The Everglades: River of Grass sums it up with the opening words, “There are no other Everglades in the world.” If you love paddling and are ready to experience a real backcountry adventure, escape with me to the Wilderness Waterway. There is no place else like it!
Matt Stan, Bad Adventures founder
P.S. - Looking for a winter Florida escape, but prefer a milder kayaking adventure? Check out our 5-day Everglades & Keys Kayaking trip!
Is this for me?
We take on extended backcountry travel and are likely to encounter chop, cross-winds, and other challenges. You need previous kayaking experience and a sound foundation of paddling skills. Do you feel a little healthy intimidation approaching this trip? That’s A-OK! Are you a brand new paddler? This isn't the adventure for you. By the way, all kayaking gear is provided!
We kayak camp for 7 nights in the Everglades backcountry on beaches, islands, and raised wooden platforms called chickees. Dome-style tents and self-inflating camping mattresses are provided.
We’re big on keeping things small! Our group will be no larger than 4 incredible travelers plus one guide.
All our meals are cooked together at camp. Your guide has prepared scrumptious recipes, will provision the trip, and lead meal preparations. Our trips tend to be tasty affairs!
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!
DAYS
Intensity
What's Included?
Take on a little 99-mile paddling jaunt!
Tents and comfy camping mattresses are provided.
We'll bring a single-person 16-foot sit-on-top touring kayak, paddle, lifejacket, dry bags, and more for you to use!
Friendly, accommodating, fully credentialed, and always professional.
Quality food provisions are important around here!
Sit back and relax! We've got the red tape covered.
Ride in style in a comfortable Ford Transit passenger van.
Medical kit, satellite phone, navigation supplies, and more.
Packing your own boat? Your guide will shuttle you back to your vehicle at the end of the trip.
Your flights or other transportation to and from the trip, your accommodations the night before and the night after the trip, lunch on day 8, your personal clothing and gear on the packing list, travel insurance, and guide gratuity.
Important Details & FAQ
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You don’t need to be a professional athlete to take part in this trip! However, you do need a good base level of fitness. We kayak 10 to 15 miles per day at a moderate touring pace.
Not sure whether this trip is appropriate for you? Don’t hesitate to contact us!
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We paddle 10 to 15 miles per day at a moderate touring pace. There will be tidal conditions and we’re likely to encounter chop and cross-winds during the adventure.
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This is not a good first paddling trip. If you’re an absolute beginner, please consider joining our Everglades & Keys Kayaking adventure instead!
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We backcountry kayak camp in Everglades National Park on all seven nights of the trip! Dome-style backpacking tents and comfy, self-inflating camping mattresses are provided.
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Yep. We will. However, we’ll give them their space and avoid encounters.
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It’s not likely that we’ll get to see Burmese python while in the Everglades. Should you be worried about invasive constrictor snakes? Well, yes, in the sense that their presence is a huge disruption to the Everglades food web.
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If you arrive via Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, a Bad Adventures guide will meet you at 6:55 AM on the southbound platform of the Fort Lauderdale Airport Tri Rail station on the first day of the trip. (Don't be late because we're catching a train to rendezvous with the rest of our adventure companions!) We recommend staying at one of the following four hotels the night before the adventure. They're each an easy, five to ten-minute walk from the station.
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Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port OUR PICK!
400 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach, FL
954-342-8333 -
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port
2081 Griffin Rd, Davie, FL
954-981-2700 -
Homewood Suites by Hilton Ft.Lauderdale Airport-Cruise Port
2061 Griffin Rd, Dania Beach, FL
954-967-9063 -
Residence Inn by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port
4801 Anglers Ave, Dania Beach, FL
954-989-3636
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:
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Courtyard by Marriott Miami Airport West/Doral
3929 NW 79th Ave, Miami, FL
305-477-8118 -
Hampton Inn Miami-Airport West
3620 NW 79th Ave, Doral, FL
305-513-0777 -
Holiday Inn Express Miami Airport Doral Area
8436 NW 36th St, Miami, FL
305-592-4799 -
Hyatt Place Miami Airport-West/Doral
3655 NW 82nd Ave, Miami, FL
305-718-8292 -
Quality Inn Miami Airport
3959 NW 79th Ave, Miami, FL
786-533-3636 -
Wingate by Wyndham Miami Airport
3755 NW 78th Ave, Doral, FL
786-749-7799
Your guides will email an exact time to meet in your hotel’s lobby about a week before the adventure.
Arriving by private vehicle? You can meet us at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center at 10:30 AM on the first day of the trip.
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If you choose to depart by air on the evening of the last day of the trip, please pick a flight that leaves no earlier than 7:00 PM from Miami International Airport. If you fly out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, pick a flight that departs after 8:00 PM.
If you choose to book a flight out of Miami International Airport for the day after the trip ends, your guides can drop you off at any of these six suggested hotels near the airport:
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Courtyard by Marriott Miami Airport West/Doral
3929 NW 79th Ave, Miami, FL
305-477-8118 -
Hampton Inn Miami-Airport West
3620 NW 79th Ave, Doral, FL
305-513-0777 -
Holiday Inn Express Miami Airport Doral Area
8436 NW 36th St, Miami, FL
305-592-4799 -
Hyatt Place Miami Airport-West/Doral
3655 NW 82nd Ave, Miami, FL
305-718-8292 -
Quality Inn Miami Airport
3959 NW 79th Ave, Miami, FL
786-533-3636 -
Wingate by Wyndham Miami Airport
3755 NW 78th Ave, Doral, FL
786-749-7799
If you fly out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport the day after the trip, your guides will drop you off at the Miami International Airport Tri Rail station when the trip ends. We'll coach you through returning to the Fort Lauderdale airport area via the Tri Rail. We suggest staying the night at one of these four hotels near the Fort Lauderdale Airport Tri Rail station:
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Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port OUR PICK!
400 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach, FL
954-342-8333 -
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port
2081 Griffin Rd, Davie, FL
954-981-2700 -
Homewood Suites by Hilton Ft.Lauderdale Airport-Cruise Port
2061 Griffin Rd, Dania Beach, FL
954-967-9063 -
Residence Inn by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port
4801 Anglers Ave, Dania Beach, FL
954-989-3636
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You bet. Just be sure to let us know! You can meet us at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center at 10:30 AM on the first day of the trip. Your guide will return you to your vehicle by 6:30 PM on the last day of the adventure.
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Be sure to review the packing list carefully and follow it closely! The higher-value items you need to bring include a sleeping bag, a pair of sport sandals or water shoes, and a rain jacket.
Avoid overpacking! Bringing too much stuff will just slow you down! This adventure is best approached with the minimalism of a backpacking trip.
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No problem. Just please let us know what you’re packing that's beyond the scope of the packing list, so your guide can load for the trip accordingly.
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You may! Please start by contacting us with a description of your boat. Sea kayaks and large touring kayaks are all appropriate for the trip. Recreational kayaks and smaller touring kayaks lack the carrying capacity required for this adventure.
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Weather varies, but let's hope for 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.
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Nah. That’s pretty unlikely. This trip is solo traveler-friendly!
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You can reserve your spot by paying a $349 deposit. The balance is due 60 days before the trip. Be sure to read the complete Trip and Course Policies.
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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.
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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.
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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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I have many adventuring experiences with Matt Stan over the years. Matt has created a team of knowledgeable and...
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