Photo: Patrick Nichols Adventuring the Dry Tortugas, Florida Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 08092A Price: $1,445 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 10 Leader:
The Trip The Florida Keys is famous for attracting visitors with a passion for island life. These islands have been home to pirates, sportsmen, scoundrels, and smugglers. Now they attract people searching for paradise. This place teems with life from Key deer to Dolphin. Expect to see magnificent coral formations, fish of every color of the rainbow, and birds not seen together anywhere else in the world. The Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson are a snorkeling dream and a photographer’s paradise. Breathless sunsets and secret strolls make this place unforgettable.  Photo: Patrick Nichols The first few days will be spent at Long Key State Park. Our campsite is
on the beach! Kayak instruction will be offered daily and we can snorkel
and swim whenever
time allows. This is a great place to get oriented to the Keys way of life.
We will take a snorkeling trip by boat to Looe Key Marine Sanctuary, kayak
to historic
islands, and visit Key West.
Day 1: We'll meet at Long Key State Park
at 3 p.m. Now is a good time to lose the watch--the rest of the day is
for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. Drivers will be provided directions.
If you are flying into Miami, you may wish
to
take the
Keys
Shuttle,
which will drop you off right at the
park. The first meal of the trip will be dinner.  Photo: Patrick Nichols Day 3: Following our morning swim, snorkel, and spectacular
sunrise, we'll take the kayaks and paddle to Indian Key and Lignumvitae Key.
Then we'll visit a near
by attraction
(a local favorite) to encounter enormous tarpon.  Photo: Patrick Nichols
Day 5: The morning silence is broken only by the sound of nesting
birds on nearby Bush Key. This is a great time to grab your camera and capture
island
stillness
in
the early light. Spend the day relaxing under the coconut palms or roaming the
fort listening for haunting whispers of the past.  Photo: Patrick Nichols Day 7: We have one more spectacular sunrise and a few hours to play, before we have to say goodbye to our adventure in paradise. Our boat leaves for the mainland May 17. On arrival in Key West our trip ends. We can expect to arrive in Key West between 5-6 p.m. Getting There If you are flying into Miami, a shared rental car (a trip roster will be provided to assist in sharing the ride) or the Keys Shuttle is your best bet. Map and directions will be provided.
Our space on our transport boat is limited and we will have to carry all of our own gear. We will be camping on Garden Key so you will need a small backpacking style tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. Be sure to bring eating utensils, plate and cup and/or mug for our shared meals. A more complete list will be sent, as we get closer to departure. All meals will be provided and help with kitchen duties and clean up is expected.
This trip is for anyone with a sense of adventure and a laid -back attitude. The level of kayaking available will be from beginner to intermediate. Participants should be in good physical condition and at least 18 years old. A course for “Introduction to Kayaking” is included. Rolling will not be necessary, but swimming and having fun will be! Expect temperatures to range from mild to hot.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Patrick Nichols, an outdoor specialist by trade, is trained by the Red Cross and American Canoe Association in canoeing and coastal kayaking. He has taught kayaking, canoeing, and backpacking for 25 years and is a wilderness first responder.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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