Posts Tagged ‘great calusa blueway’

Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve

Posted on: November 1st, 2016 by thcAdmin No Comments

A recent trip had me traveling Florida’s Gulf Coast between Naples and Tampa. A stop in Cape Coral led to a paddle in the Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve. I able to access the water at a shop located along Pine Island Road called Gulf Coast Kayak. The staff was very helpful. You can put on the water just behind the shop for a $5 fee, and the signing of a waiver. There is a generous parking area adjacent to the shop.

gulf-coast-kayak-shop

Gulf Coast Kayak provides tours of the area, if you are looking for a guided experience. You can rent and go on your own. SUPs are also available.  If you have your own boat you can access the parking via the $5 fee mentioned previously. The shop is well stocked with everything you might need. As I was getting ready to launch one of the guides gave me a quick overview of the area.

gulf-coast-kayak-shop-interior

I set out from the shop heading North, skirting to the inside of the islands avoiding the choppier open water. Eventually, I ran across a creek with a decent current emerging from the mangroves ahead. Following this creek brings one to Thirsting Lake. I did not have the opportunity to paddle further on and access the creek feeding into the lake from the North East. I would suggest completing the paddle, it is not much further, once you look at a map. The current provides a gentle pace back to the open water, one hardly needs to paddle. The solitude drifting back through the mangrove was delightful. Plan on 3-4 hours to complete the tour.

matlacha-birding

Upon my return, I was able to talk to some folks who were just getting off of the water from their guided tour in a different area of the Preserve. They thoroughly enjoyed their tour and had nothing but compliments for their guide. It being late October, there were not a large amount of birds in the area, but we all saw a variety of species. I did have the opportunity to observe a number of Eagles harassing Osprey for their catch, some amazing flying was going on.

matlacha-paddling

The Great Calusa Blueway paddling trail runs throughout the area as well. The trail system looks well worth exploring.