Key Largo Kayaking Day Trip

I happened to be in southern Florida for a family wedding  and I couldn't help but do some kayaking.  With winter looming in Minnesota I was really looking forward to getting out on the tropical Waters of the keys. So I drove down to Florida Bay outfitters on Key Largo for a day of adventure on the water. The outfitters were nice, helpful with route planning, and the rental rates were not to bad. I choose to take out the only skeg boat they had a Wilderness Systems Tempest.

My planned route was to padlle from the oufitters launch on Blackwater Sound. Through the canal to the Largo Sound. Then through the Mangroves on the south sound Creek. From there northeast along the exposed ocean side to Rattlesnake Key. Finally back through the Mangroves back to Largo and Blackwater Sound.

Blackwater Sound was calm and peaceful.

The tide was in my favor through the Canal which brought me out to Largo Sound.

Largo Sound had little 1 foot waves driven by SE winds. A quick crossing and I dove into the mangrove creeks en route to the open ocean.

The Mangroves were interesting with their tangled roots and dense thickets. There were many birds in the trees and in the shallows. Finally I emerged on to the Atlantic Ocean

 A gorgeous islet just beyond the creek

The Atlantic side was beautiful and not very developed.  The water was shallow, even far from shore, and Crystal clear

Having a blast paddling in the Keys!

I took a wide crossing from Point Willie across the Whitmore Bight to the point distant in the photo. Here I encountered my biggest seas with waves 2 to 3 feet. This was a fun change of pace from the calm and sheltered near shore waters. Most of the waves were breaking far out over the Coral Reef a few miles off the coast.

I got a close look at some large Mangroves near my landing.

Large shoreline mangroves

I stopped for lunch at a beautiful rocky point which featured some fossils in the limestone/coral rock.

A fossilized sea creature in the rock

After lunch I headed around Rattlesnake Key and back into the Mangrove Creeks leading back to the Largo Sound. At times the creek was extremely narrow. I actually had to break my paddle down a few times and paddle the kayak like a canoe as the full length kayak paddle was getting hung up on the trees lining the creek.

The journey back to the Blackwater sound was uneventful with a moderate headwind and small waves. All in all this was a wonderful journey. The scenery here was unlike anywhere else I have ever paddled and my interest is definitely piqued with the Florida Keys. I am hoping to make it back soon. I would love to do a multi day expedition paddling from Key Largo to Key West to get a more complete taste of what the Keys have to offer. This may come later this winter if time permits!