The Global Paddling Community

Paddler’s Guide to the Sunshine State is the most comprehensive and up-to-date source of information on paddling in Florida—bound so that it lies open at each page for easy reference or photocopying--and is fully indexed. Whether you’re a first-time paddler or a whitewater veteran, whether you're looking for an easy going two-hour tour with your family or a week-long solo adventure, this book lists the most delightful destinations to explore in a state famous for its scenic waterways. From the vast flats of the Florida Keys to the rivers and springs of the Florida Panhandle, Paddler's Guide to the Sunshine State gives directions to 91 Florida waterways, separated into 271 individual canoeing and kayaking excursions. For each of the 91 destinations, veteran paddler and outdoor writer Sandy Huff · tells her readers where to rent or buy canoes and kayaks, · evaluates the difficulty of each trail, · supplies emergency phone numbers and a customized map showing launch and take-out sites, average length, and paddling time for each leg, · and presents a candid discussion of the waterway. In introductory chapters, she offers safety tips on camping basics, dressing for...

A modern-day adventure through the heart of Florida

Florida’s Big Bend Coast is one of America’s longest and wildest continuous wetlands. Seminole Indians once sought refuge from American soldiers along its shores. Today, visitors find a different kind of refuge, a refuge from a hectic world. In the first comprehensive armchair guide to this region, naturalist and explorer Doug Alderson introduces readers to Florida’s frontier past and evolving future. Interweaving history, folkways, and observations from life in the great outdoors, Alderson tells tales of his travels by sea kayak along the Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail, which runs from the Aucilla River to the town of Suwannee. He retraces the footsteps of famed naturalist John Muir in Cedar Key, shares little-known stories of backcountry feuds that rivaled the Hatfields and McCoys, uncovers amusing theories as to why mullet jump, and invites salty local characters to share the spotlight. Sometimes poignant, often humorous, and always engaging, Waters Less Traveled is the perfect travel companion for anyone who wants a bit of adventure without leaving home.  

A decade ago, Johnny Molloy spent months canoeing, kayaking, and camping in Everglades National Park, paddling more than 500 miles in one season to research the first edition of A Paddler's Guide to Everglades National Park. Last year he returned and did it all again in order to comprehensively update this ultimate authority to the park's designated paddling routes.

Spanning the 200-mile stretch of the Florida Keys, this field guide to the entire island chain highlights 50 paddling adventures, many for canoeists as well as kayakers. Trips include short paddles suitable for beginners and children, half-day trips as well as day-long and overnight excursions. Kathleen Patton provides an overview of the region's environment, describing its terrestrial and marine habitats. She covers equipment needs, safety concerns, weather patterns, and adapting tide tables for specific areas. Trips are arranged geographically, beginning near Miami at the top of the Keys in Biscayne National Park and stretching 73 miles past Key West to Dry Tortugas National Park. Each profile includes directions to the launch site, estimated paddling time, kayak rental availability, a detailed itinerary, and a route map. Icons mark each route's particular strengths: for example, great snorkeling, historical interest, camping, and appropriate trips for canoeists and for children. Patton also directs paddlers to the best reefs, swimming holes, and pristine sandbars for wildlife viewing--birds, manatees, dolphins, tropical reef fish, coral heads, sponges, sea stars, and huge spotted eagle rays. Clear, concise trip descriptions and detailed maps make Kayaking the Keys the most complete guide for paddlers...