Florida Keys Challenge
NEW format with ALL CABINS Basecamp!
January 13-19, 2025
Basecamp: Seacamp Association - NEW format with ALL CABINS Basecamp!
Total Distance: 35-70+ miles over 6 days
Full Trip Fees:
Includes housing, meals and shuttles.
$1100/Adults
$1075/Seniors (65+) and college students
Registration Deadline: December 1, 2024, or when the trip capacity of 40 paddlers is reached.
Official Outfitters:
Burnham Guides rentals. Please contact Mary at mary@burnhamguides.com 305-240-0650
OR
Florida Bay Outfitters at 305-451-3018
ALL OTHER INQUIRIES – please email janice@paddleflorida.org
Paddling Itinerary:
Join us for a cold weather escape as we paddle the Florida Keys and explore some of the most beautiful turquoise waters in the State of Florida! This year’s trip includes both short and long paddling options, from our basecamp each day, and an educational component provided by Seacamp Association, Inc. From our homebase at Seacamp Association, we will enjoy glorious sunrise and sunsets, and paddle out to explore the area each day. This is a spectacular location for us to call home during our visit to the Keys! Nature beckons you as you cross paths with Key deer, sea turtles, dolphins, and egrets. You will make memories grounded in nature, with an eco-friendly Florida charm in an area that is known as a paddling destination. You can snorkel in the lower Keys so be sure to bring your mask and fins!
| Choice | Paddle Choices | Type | Total Miles |
| 1 | Picnic Island | Easy | 5 |
| 2 | Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve | Easy | 5 |
| 3 | Little Swash Keys / Tarpon Belly Key | Mid | 10 |
| 4 | Big Torch Key / Little Torch Key | Mid | 10 |
| 5 | Bahia Honda State Park | Mid | 10 |
| 6 | Ramrod Key Circumnavigation | Long | 15 |
| 7 | Content KeysSawyer Key | Long | 15 |
Evening Programs
Evening programs will include presentations from authors, historians, environmental experts, and one night of live music.
Refund Policy
Due to the financial outlay and costs incurred by Paddle Florida during event planning, any force majeure, which includes but is not limited to water levels, inclement weather, and any other Acts of God not mentioned herein, shall not result in the refund of any fees paid to Paddle Florida. Absolutely no fees will be refunded after 15 days before the event begins. Before each trip registration deadline, requests for fee refunds will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
***You will receive a confirmation email message 7 - 10 days before the event with all the latest details on the trip***
Shuttle Details
Paddlers will park their vehicle at the City of Marathon overflow parking at 5561 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050. On the morning of January 21st drivers will be shuttled to their cars so they can drive to Seacamp Association to retrieve their kayaks, luggage and passengers.
Boat & Gear Recommendations
For this trip, we recommend sit-in kayaks of at least 15 feet in length with a rudder or skeg and a spray skirt. You should have solid kayaking, rescue, wet exit, and swimming skills. You should also be in moderately good physical condition and know how to swim. If you have any questions about the kind of environment you will encounter on this trip, please contact Janice Hindson at janice@paddleflorida.org
Paddle Florida Policies
All paddlers must attend the trip overview and orientation on the first evening. Paddlers must adhere to the safety guidelines presented.
Every Paddle Florida participant must wear a Coast Guard-approved NON-INFLATABLE personal flotation device while on the river (no ifs, and, or buts).
Every kayak and canoe should have a bow line, 8-10 feet in length, secured in such a way that it is readily accessible, but cannot come loose accidentally. Loose ropes increase the risk of entanglement in the event of a capsize.
Kayaks should have grab-loops at both bow and stern.
Paddlers under age 18 are the responsibility of and must be accompanied by, a parent or guardian. No more than two children under the age of 12 per adult guardian.
Sorry, no pets allowed.
All paddlers must provide emergency contact information and sign a Waiver of Claims and Release of Liability form. Parents must sign for their children under the age of 18.
People-powered watercraft only.
Paddle Florida adheres to all rules put forth by the public parks we stay in, including the ban on alcoholic beverages.
All paddlers must respect private property along waterways.
All paddlers must have basic paddling and swimming skills
Violations of any of these policies can result in the paddler being removed from the event without a refund.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1/Monday, January 13:
Seacamp Association, Paddling Miles: 0
Trip participants will check-in at Seacamp Association between 1-5PM. After checking in, they will unload and setup their room and relax in prepartion for dinner at 6PM, followed by an overview of the trip and safety briefing.
Seacamp Association, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to marine science education. Specifically, to create awareness of the complex and fragile marine world and to foster critical thinking and informed decision making about man’s use of natural resources.
Seacamp is located at Newfound Harbor on Big Pine Key.
From our basecamp at Seacamp Association, we will have access to paddle Coupon Bight and Picnic Key, and to explore Pine Channel Nature Park and Ramrod Key and swimming hole. Longer paddle choices include: Knockemdown Keys, Howe Key, Torch Keys, and Summerland Key. Weather and conditions will determine which short and long choices are available.
Our stay in paradise!
This is a magical, relaxing place.
We will spend a week here…
Exploring the area by kayak…
Float in the water and relax
You determine what you would like to do each day…
Day 2-6, Tuesday January 14 - Saturday January 18:
Paddlers choice of easy, short or long paddles. Paddling miles will vary depending on paddler’s choice.
Breakfast will be served at 7:30AM. Launch time will depend on the prevailing conditions and the paddler’s choice. Paddlers will pack a lunch in the morning so they will have it with them. Upon returning to Sea Camp, paddlers can relax for the afternoon. After our 6PM dinner, paddlers will be treated to an eduational speaker or musical entertainment for the evening.
Day 7, Sunday January 19:
Paddlers have a relaxing breakfast, pack and prepare for the journey home.
Breakfast will be served at 9:00am, paddlers will then have a couple hours to pack for the journey home. Paddlers will head home with fond memoires of a great week spent on the water!
A Few Paddling Choices
PICNIC ISLAND - Paddling Miles: 5-7
Across from Seacamp Association, Inc. is Picnic Island. It is a beautiful paddle out to the island and a great place to float in the water. There is nothing like a picnic lunch at the island.
2. Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve - Paddling Miles 5-7
Watch for endangered minature Key Deer as you launch into Coupon Bight. This is a trip of paralleling mangrove shore lines and include the exploration of the mangrove tunnel. The water is usually pretty clear and you can see to the bottom.
Coupon Bight!
It is amazing to paddle through the shallow clear water.
3. Little Swash Keys / Tarpon Belly Key- Paddling Miles 10
Little Swash Keys are down from the launch on Blimp Road and make for a scenic short paddle or can be combined with a trip to Tarpon Belly Key. Tarpon Belly Key is an old abandoned shrimp farm, with a nice hike to explore the island. The water is very shallow and full of life - rays and plenty of birds.
4. Big Torch Key / Little Torch Key
Little Torch Key feels like the horizon stretches out over the water, in a less populated area and offers many bays and small islands to explore. There are schools of parrotfish, nurse sharks, barracuda and baby black tip sharks that can be seen in this area.
5. Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda State Park is about 10 miles from SeaCamp Association. Weather depending, we will paddle up to Bahia Honda to the marina side where you can get a burger and ice cream cone. The white sand beach is something to see against the old Flagler Bridge and the marina usually has a few boats to see.
6. Ramrod Key Circumnavigation
From Seacamp Association, we will paddle to Picnic Island for a snack and float, and then proceed to the swimming/snorkel hole for lunch. We will then make our way back around the island back to Seacamp Asssociation.
7. Sawyer Key
This is a 12-mile paddle into open water, with a stop at Tarpon Belly Keys so we can check the weather. There are tide pools and sandy beaches on the Gulf of Mexico facing shore, and rich tidal flats on the western shore - look for sharks, rays and tarpon.
Mission Statement
PADDLE FLORIDA is a non-profit corporation that promotes water conservation, wildlife preservation, springs restoration, and waterways protection via fun and educational multi-day paddling trips in Florida’s most spectacular river and coastal environments. The vehicle for carrying out this mission is the staging of the multi-day paddling/camping trips in each of Florida’s five water management districts from October to April each year. Paddle Florida also seeks to promote Florida as an international destination for nature-based tourism in general, and paddling in particular.
Ranging from three to six days, trips are open to all paddling skill levels and designed to maximize enjoyment of Florida’s natural environments while engaging and empowering citizens so that they may become involved in the protection and restoration of our waterways.
If you wish to be pampered by professional guides, this isn’t the trip for you. But, if you want to experience a real community brought together under a common goal and by the thrill of adventure, Paddle Florida is the trip for you
The Meal Plan
Your Paddle Florida trip fee covers the meal plan, which provides hearty catered breakfasts and dinners, plus daily lunch snacks of assorted fruits, sandwich items, snacks, and drinks.
General
Suggested Packing Lists
For Water: [Note: Unless you’re wearing it, every item you bring should be secured to your boat. Carabiners and bungee cords can be handy devices for this purpose.]
Boat and paddle. Need to rent? Contact:
Burnham Guides rentals. Please contact Mary at mary@burnhamguides.com 305-240-0650
OR
Florida Bay Outfitters at 305-451-3018
PFD. Every Paddle Florida participant must wear a Coast Guard-approved NON-INFLATABLE personal flotation device while on the river (no ifs, and, or buts).
Every kayak and canoe should have a bowline 8-10 feet in length, secured in such a way that it is readily accessible, but cannot come loose accidentally. Loose ropes increase the risk of entanglement in the event of a capsize. Kayaks should have grab-loops at both bow and stern.
An extra throw rope in case of emergencies should be stored safely in each boat.
Attach a whistle to your PFD or body to signal for help in case of emergency.
A knife.
Waterproof matches or another fire source in a waterproof covering.
First aid kit—each vessel should bring a first aid kit stored inside a waterproof covering.
Repair kit—each vessel should be able to make its own repairs (i.e., duct tape, sealant, waterproof tape).
Rain gear—be prepared to get wet and potentially cold. Every participant should have access to a lightweight jacket or fleece, rain jacket, and rain pants or kayak skirt.
Dry change of clothes—be prepared to take an unexpected swim. Every participant should have access to a dry change of clothes kept in a waterproof covering.
Appropriate close-toed footwear that will protect your feet from unseen underwater hazards and permit you to walk comfortably on slippery and jagged limestone when launching and taking out. Flip flops do not meet these criteria.
Sun protection—sunburn might be the trip’s biggest hazard. Bring ample sunscreen and wear a protective hat and sunglasses.
Mask and snorkel? You’ll be paddling by places to snorkel on this trip. Explore them!
Water—drinking water will be readily available along the Paddle Florida route. Bring sufficient water bottles for the day’s paddle for everyone in your boat.
Food—there is little access to restaurants or grocery stores along the Paddle Florida route. Lunch snacks each day are provided to registered participants. You may also want to bring along your own snacks.
Dry Bag or Ziploc—bring a waterproof bag to protect additional items you don’t want to get wet, like your camera or cell phone.
GPS unit? We’ll give you a map, but a GPS unit might also be handy to note the locations of campsites and springs.
For Land:
No tent needed this trip!
Sleeping bag, pad, and pillow
Camp chair
Clothes to keep you comfortable in temperatures generally ranging from 50-85 degrees. Think layers. You’ll likely be wearing more during potentially chilly mornings, then peeling off layers as the day progresses. Remember dry shoes for when you’re in camp and keep in mind there are often hiking trails available at the parks we camp in.
Bathing suit, plus maybe a mask, snorkel, and/or fins. Enjoy it!
Headlamp and/or flashlight.
Toiletries and medications.
Other items: reading materials, iPod, earplugs…?
A camera to record the awesome memories you’ll be making!