Has any one paddled ...Say from Pensacola to Mobile Bay via the intercostal WW? It looks as though Dauphin Island's West end has good camping and the next island, Petit Bois and then Horn Island would be good as well...

I have not paddles west of Pensacola but have paddled around ST. Joe and ST George and east of there in the bays and Inter coastal WW. I would suggest going before the bugs get out in force and to be aware of Bears, wild pigs and alligators.

Hoping to make a couple trips to Gulf shores this spring and again this fall.

I was planning to put in at Fort Pickens (Pensacola) and make Gulf Shores or maybe Fort Morgan in one rather long day. Cross Mobile Bay in the morning and head for the West end of Daughin Island for a day or two. The Sat. images look as though one of the hurricanes have cut a passage thorough the end of the island. Then Petit Bois to follow... maybe Horn Island next... April/May is likely when I'd be there. Mosquitoes not too bad then?

There are is a small group of us that are planning on camping at Orange beach, Gulf State Park. March 31 - April 3 and / or Memorial Day weekend. The weather should be warm but not hot and the bugs should not be very bad yet, We hope. Also hoping to find some fresh shrimp.

Excellent, The water temp in April is more than 70°F? I'm working on the logistics now... The Gulf state park on Lake Shelby? It looks as though I'll be just North of that on the Intercoastal WW. Shrimp mmm... I'll bring the beer and fry some hush puppies...

THERE IS WIND ! Days spent swimming off St George, skin diving at Fort Pickens. Wonderful ! calm days, clear warm water, 3-4’ rolling waves…
During High Summer ? July 15-August 15 ?
Mostly there’s screaming wind from the west.
http://www.clubkayak.com/fska/showpage.asp?page=links
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:IqdC0iNQEysJ:www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/paddling/saltwater.htm+florida+SEA+KAYAK+trail&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&source=www.google.com
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html

As long as the seas are swells and not breaking too badly I'll be good.(loaded boat) I'll spend most of my time in the intercoastal WW. The longest crossing looks like Mobile Bay or from Dauphin Island to Petit Bois. I'm in no hurry with no set agenda, so I can pick my day and tides too... If I make it further than Dauphin Island fine ,if not thats ok as well...

Dadburnet, that is the same area we are planning to be and Dauphin Island is on the agenda as well as the shrimp and Cold beer hush puppies would be a bonus.

Datakoll is right about the wind. Had it come up pretty good a couple times while on St Joe and St George bay, Also cancelled a couple of bay paddles due to high wind.

forgot mosquitos. ?!
northerners venturing into this area may be unprepared for 'biting insects.'
Here, salt water marsh mosquitos-painful injections.
If the day beaks clear into a breeze then mosquitos will thin an hour after sunrise. At sunset, plan on entry into a tight noseeum mesh tent 30 minutes before sunset. Bring a gallon jug. and newspaper ?
The on land routine is socks over pants, have light cloth work GLOVES on hand, quality headnet (2)- REI - and bandana. Spray the bandana with WAL'S green DEET for headband or use a tennis band.
Good news is, mosquitos go to bed when the bars close.
If the dawn to noon is cloudy with no breeze then there's mosquitos.
I wouldn't go with cloudy weather-no breeze forecasted. And only downwind. My feedbackers question the word scream claiming 'howl'
is more than accurate.
2 years 'camping' up and down the West coast, mosquito count is at 23.

Thanks everyone, Planning it now...1,000 mile drive and the logistics,That is part of the fun as well. I'll post once I have a firm date.

Canoe the Blackwater, camp Blackwater State Park while there. Unique, beyond category. Rentals once available, prob now. From Kennedy Bridge.

Looks like a beautiful river! This empties into Santa Rosa Sound? Im not sure how I'd get back up river easily after two weeks of paddling...I'll try to start at Pensacola, somewhere I can park for two weeks...