My wife and I are interested in a paddle tour of the Everglades this coming February. We are frequent paddlers and would be able to handle anything in the moderate range of activity.

Has any one had experience with the tour companies that operate in the Everglades?

thank you!

No exp. with the tour co. But I can tell you to take lots of deet and some netting would`nt hurt either. Good luck it should be a great adventure.

Hi David,

I've just signed up here, thinking about getting back into paddling after a 15 y or so break.

I've spent from a week up to a month in the Everglades and 10000
Islands, umm probably 22 or so of the years between 1978 and 2003.
The first 10 or so years in sea kayak and then in shoal draft sail boats.

I've never used a tour company but always did self guided trips about two thirds of the time alone.

Never did use any deet, a matter of personal preference and comfort, but always had what we call down here "mosquito coils".
The key is to *always* be ready to get in a tent or some sort of no-see-um netting by around 4 or 4:30 PM if there isn't a breeze.

There are great charts, despite some who say they aren't accurate, available.

If there's anything I can help you with, please ask.

David,

You'll find the 'glades a wonderful place. Talk with the folks at Everglades Area Tours.com. They operate year round unlike all others that I am aware. We elected to use one of their transport boats to get to areas that few can. The trip was great ... the guides and the grub made the difference...

Thanks for the recommendation. I will check them out.

I too have done the Wilderness water way. Winter is the time to do it but this is when every one else does it as well. Be prepared to share camp beach camp sites and the Chickees will be crowded.

Bugs will not be a issue in February but I would never leave the bug spray at home when venturing into the Glades. Really the only issue is the weather and critters, racoons will chew through dry bags to get to any scrap of food. Bring food lockers beacuse there usually is not a trees high enough to hang food.

Frequent cold fronts will kick up the wind and the chop. Days can be long if paddling in to the wind on a ebbing tide. But all in all its a lot of fun and one of the best places to wilderness kayak in the US.