Sea Kayak Vacations -  Guided Kayaking Tours - Custom Charter Trips - Everglades - Florida Keys - Bahamas - Florida Gulf Islands
Eco tours and expeditions for adventure travel into island and coastal wilderness
Mirage - a Kayaking B&B catamaran on the Water!  - our mothership - outfitted with composite sea kayaks and fiberglass and carbon 
paddles!
Hosted by the crew aboard the mothership. 
Hier  wird  auch  Deutsch  gesprochen!

KAYAK VOYAGERS 

About "Mirage" and our Sea Kayak Tours 
This season (Nov. 2012 - Apr. 2013) we are glad to be back in one of the most diverse, and one of our most favorite paddling areas:  North Captiva - Cayo Costa  - Sanibel barrier island region in the Gulf of Mexico, on the west coast of Florida - called the Gulf Islands.  Our southwest coast barrier island area offers both protected water and open gulf paddling, depending on wind ,waves, weather and paddling experience levels.  Enjoy beautiful sandy beaches and the prolific bird life.  Take a private cabin aboard the fully crewed outrigger catamaran mothership MIRAGE.  Let this one of a kind in the world support vessel be your home and launch site.  We'll travel around the beautiful barrier islands forming Pine Island Sound:  Cayo Costa State Park - North Captiva - Sanibel, with their miles and miles of beaches, sometimes paddling on sections of the "Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail".   Sea kayak near J.N."Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge and in the Pine Island National Wildlife Refuge: dolphin, manatee, turtle, tortoise, otter, wild boar, many kinds of fish, and many species of water birds, island bird rookeries, migrating birds, nesting eagles and sometimes even an alligator!  We'll be here from December to May.

Note - Next season - Nov 2012 - April 2013 - will be in the beautiful Cayo Costa/N.Captiva area - 
part of the Gulf Islands on the west coast of Florida!
 
If you would like to reserve a week for a custom trip contact us!
OR - If you can only come a certain week - give us a heads up as we plan the new schedule!


In February, 2012, we were in the
FLORIDA KEYS
- One trip in
Key Largo was for those who raced in the famous Bogey and Bacall Kayak Race  
- OR - some joined us to observe  the race from the Mirage Mothership!



-   More about the Mothership  -  Instruction  -  Equipment     
-   Cuisine  -  Library  -  Photos  -  Mothership Trip Amenities
-    Airport and Travel Details Paddling Experience  -  Itineraries
-  
Season Schedule   with Rates and Travel Details - 2011-2012 Winter - Spring Schedule
    What's
NEW this season?  Scheduled TripsCustom Trips Commercial Discounts
Bogey and Bacall Race

-   Our Kayak Paddling Environments 
    
                                         NEW - Gulf Islands areas  -  Pine Island - Matlache  -  Gasparilla Island in southwest Florida 
                                             Gulf Islands  -  Cayo Costa - North Captiva - Sanibel  -  in southwest Florida 
                                             -  Everglades  -  Ten Thousand Islands  -  Coastal Everglades 
                                              - 
NEW - Florida Keys  -  Lower Back Country - near Key West 

                                            -  Bahamas  -  Berry Islands  -  South Andros  -  Exumas 
-   Photo Gallery   
-   Contact Us   



Docking Kayak at Mirage - Photo by E Beers.jpg (49342 bytes)

 

 

Photo by Elizabeth Beers




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More about the mothership - "Mirage":  Unique kayak trips aboard "Mirage", our expedition equipped, one of a kind 70-foot power outrigger catamaran, and our traveling kayak launch site.  With this mothership vessel carrying all the sea kayak gear, we will cruise to some of Florida's best nature locations.  The outrigger hull (or ama) is the ideal staging platform for launching sea kayaks: low to the water for entering and exiting your kayak.



Mirage70 04-05 1 Return to Mother.jpg (346594 bytes)
Mirage is a stable, roomy, fully crewed mothership support vessel.  Accommodations consist of five private cabins, with double and some single bunks.  There's also plenty of deck space for sleeping under the stars.  The perfect blend of dry and secure sleeping and outdoor living.  Meals are prepared by the crew and served on deck in a patio style arrangement.  There is a hot shower indoors and also outdoors, and a pool style boarding ladder at the 'ama' for swimming.



Pelican Trio in Flight - Elke.jpg (260487 bytes)
Our trips are designed to be low impact tours, our role being that of observers.  A good portion of our cruising ground is in 'refuge' environment where 'no take' and 'no touch' are the rules.  Aboard Mirage we maintain a library on subjects ranging from local geology to South Florida history, encompassing our marine ecosystems, bird life, and stargazing.  High quality binoculars are included in the inventory. Learn more about our environments, the wildlife, bird watching, and marine life on "Our Kayak Paddling Environments" page.


 

Instruction:  A focus of ours is helping development of kayaking skills, so a paddler, through an increasing feeling of confidence and competence can more fully relax and enjoy a paddle through our interesting natural environment.  We'll tour each day, putting it all together.  For paddlers intent on learning particular techniques, from navigation through sculling and kayak rolling, we'll do special sessions.  Learn without stress in our warmer waters.  The touring, can be a couple of hours at a time, or most of the day, with a remote lunch stop.  The touring and the instruction are both designed for each paddler at his own pace, without competition or pressure. 
"Always wanted to learn to roll?" - With your commitment we will make that happen!

 

Bogey and Bacall Kayak Race 2012 - LAST SEASON  - officially called the "Bogey and Bacall Classic" Paddlefest Weekend
- The "Bogey" is a 13.2 mile kayak race being held Sat., Feb. 4, 2012.  
- The "Bacall" is a 6 mile  kayak race being held Sun., Feb 5, 2012.  
- Location - Mile Marker 104 in the Florida Keys, at Florida Bay Outfitters Kayak Shop, 104050 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037  
- Entries are for kayaks, canoes, and outrigger canoes - and new for the first time - a race for SUP/stand-up paddle boards! 
- All the racing details and race registration info is on the race website at this link - www.RaceTheKeys.com

Our Mirage Mothership can be your "Bed and Breakfast" on the water - whether you participate in one the races or are a spectator! We're offering a special of $600 per cabin (2max) for four nights (Thursday PM - Monday AM, Feb 2-6). This includes your accommodations, breakfast each morning, all your drinking water needs and dingy shuttles to and from shore. If you are driving down with your own kayak, you can also bring your kayak out to Mirage! We have our fiberglass sea kayaks on board that you can use (although they are not specifically racing kayaks).

Our Mirage Mothership will have a unique vantage point. You'll be right near the start of the races, in Blackwater Sound, where you can enter the events and compete, or be a spectator, either from Mirage or from a kayak! You can also paddle some of the "back country" water in Everglades National Park, or paddle through Adam's Cut: a cut sawn through the coral rock, connecting the bay and oceanside of Key Largo. In the verticle cut walls ancient fossilized coral is exposed! 
If you are competing, you can take the opportunity to check out the race course on Friday, before race day. 
Come join us! John will be racing in the Bogey on Saturday and Elke will be racing in the Bacall on Sunday!

see Schedule OR SCROLL DOWN TO SCHEDULE




Equipment:
 - Fiberglass and kevlar sea kayaks by Valley, Northwest,  Nigel Dennis Kayaks (NDK), 
including the Romany and high volume Romany (Poseidon)
 - Fiberglass and carbon paddles by Werner and Big Spoons; wooden Greenland paddles by Mitchell.
 - Accessories include charts and waterproof holders, compass, paddle floats, hand bilge pumps, spray skirts, and Lotus life jackets. 
 - (You are welcome to bring your own gear if you like.) 
 -
  Link to Equipment page

    Mike_and_John_04-03.jpg (742316 bytes) 
Valley Avocet               NDK Greenlander Pro             NDK Poseidon 
We use a variety of first class composite equipment - both British and Pacific Northwest style sea kayaks 
by Nigel Dennis Kayaks (NDK - Romany, etc.), Valley, and Northwest.
also fiberglass and carbon paddles by Werner - Big Spoons - Mitchell, including wooden Greenland style.



Greek Salad Lunch by Elke.jpg (254007 bytes)Cuisine:  Excellently prepared meals with an emphasis on freshness, flavor, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, and the energy needs of paddlers.  Many specialties are available, such as fresh Florida seafood or chicken fajitas.  Fresh fruit snacks, power bars, and crunchy salty snacks included.  All drinks from coffee, juices, cold green tea, drinking water, electrolyte replacement drinks to some beer or wine with dinner is provided.  Vegetarian specialties available.  Our intention is to accommodate requests to ensure your enjoyment.

 

kayakwpe2.jpg (146162 bytes)Nature and Paddling Library:  Mirage has a full library of books on  the history, geology, and wildlife of South Florida and the Everglades. Also on the Bahamas, on stargazing, and also books and DVDs on sea kayak paddling, navigation, and skill development.  

Photo Buffs:
For digital cameras, bring your camera cable or card reader to share your photos on our laptop computer. We also have a card reader that accommodates several different types. Bring a 4 or 8 gig flash drive and we can download trip photos for you to take home.  

Mothership Trip Amenities :
    - Outfitted with quality sea kayaks, paddles, and safety equipment
    - Kayaks by Nigel Dennis Kayaks (NDK), Valley Canoe Products (VCP), Northwest Kayaks (NW)
   
- Para-foils, Yoga Mats
   
- Nature and Paddling Library including DVDs 
   
- private cabins complete with all linens and towels
    - hot water shower indoor or on deck
   
- all meals, snacks and drink prepared and supplied, including bottled water 
    - Kayak Instruction available including sculling and rolling or learning to kayak 


Last Season's SCHEDULE  2011-2012  Winter - Spring
SEA KAYAK TOURS - ABOARD MIRAGE - THE MOTHERSHIP
- STILL UP AS A SAMPLE FOR THIS COMING SEASON -
Note - Next season - Nov 2012 - April 2013 - will be in the beautiful Cayo Costa/N.Captiva area - 
part of the Gulf Islands on the west coast of Florida!
 
If you would like to reserve a week for a custom trip contact us!
OR - If you can only come a certain week - give us a heads up as we plan the new schedule!

(Scroll above and below chart to access the details)                          RATES Found Below 
             

    Scheduled Trips in Teal BLUE         Trip Descriptions below schedule        Custom Trips in Yellow  
Date - 2011-2012 Sample # of nights Location  
December   21 - 26  ( Wed - Mon)
Holiday Celebration
5 Florida Gulf Islands -
December   28 - January 2  ( Wed - Mon)
New Year's Celebration
5

Florida Gulf Islands

-
January   4 -  6  (Wed - Fri)
Great White Pelican flock wintering on North Captiva
2 Florida Gulf Islands -
January   8 - 13  (Sun - Fri)
Full Moon Trip
5

Florida Gulf Islands

-
January   15 -  20  (Sun - Fri)
Custom Trip - Dark Sky for Star Gazing
5 Florida Gulf Islands -
January   22 - 25  (Sun - Wed)
Custom Trip - Miles of beaches - observe marine wildlife
3 Florida Gulf Islands -
SEE UPDATES BELOW !!! - - SEE UPDATES BELOW
February   2 -  6  (Thurs - Mon)
Bogey & Bacall Kayak Race
 - click for special details - contact us
4 Florida Keys - Key Largo we had a full boat!
February   11 - 16  (Sat - Thurs)
Valentine's Week
5 Florida Keys - Key West -
February   18 - 23  (Sat - Thurs)
Dark Sky for Star Gazing
5 Florida Keys - Key West Can Be a Custom Week!
Call for details!
March   3 - 8  (Sat - Thurs)
Custom Trip  /  Full Moon Trip
5 Florida Gulf Islands -
March   10 - 15  (Sat - Thurs)
Custom Trip
5 Florida Gulf Islands -
March   17 - 22  (Sat - Thurs)
Manatees and Marine Bird Flocks
5 Florida Gulf Islands -
March   27 - 30  (Tues - Fri)
Custom Trip
3 Florida Gulf Islands -
March 31 - April 5 (Sat - Thurs) 5 Florida Gulf Islands Need 2 or more additional paddlers to make this week a go ! - Call for details!!! (rates)
April   7 - 10  (Sat - Tues)
Custom Trip
3 Florida Gulf Islands -
April 14 - 19 (Sat - Thurs)
Scheduled Trip
5 Florida Gulf Islands -
April   21 - 24  (Sat - Tues)
Scheduled Trip
3 Florida Gulf Islands -
April   28 - May 3  (Sat - Thurs)
Custom Trip
5 Florida Gulf Islands -
May   5 - 8  (Sat - Tues)
Custom Trip  /  Full Moon Trip
3 Florida Gulf Islands -
May 12 - 17  (Sat - Thurs)
Custom Trip
5 Florida Gulf Islands -
May   19 - 22  (Sat - Tues)
Custom Trip  /  Dark Sky for Star Gazing
3 Florida Gulf Islands -
       
       
 

Scheduled Trips - Teal Blue
 Designed for individuals or couples
 

Five Night Trips
4 paddler minimum - 6 paddler maximum 

Three or Two Night Trips

Trips will only have a 2 paddler minimum - 6 paddler maximum.
  
All trips start with a snack and dinner and go through  breakfast on the last day
(unless other arrangements are made in advance). 

Custom Trips - Yellow 
Designed for a group, family, club, instructor or other kayaking business entity

For the guide or Instructor with the desire to teach or just have more personal freedom with the itinerary (with our support as required).
 
For families, groups of friends or kayak club members who want to have that more familiar and intimate experience, all knowing one another on the trip. 

Trips start with a snack and dinner and go through breakfast on the last day
(unless other arrangements are made in advance). 

Note - If a scheduled trip is not booked with paddlers - those dates can become a custom trip.

RATES:  (can scroll up for schedule)

Rates for Scheduled Trips: Rate per person
single
- private cabin
Rate per person
double occupancy
- 5 Night Scheduled Trip $ 2,025 $ 1,850
- 3 Night Scheduled Trip $ 1,295 $ 1,150
 - 2 Night Scheduled Trip $    895  $    750
 
    Rates for Custom Trips:
   Contact Us  for details                                                                                              
      
- Custom trips are available with one price for the Mirage mothership complete charter: 
5 Night Trip - $ 10,000         3 Night Trip - $ 6,000  

    
- Special Commercial Discount Rates are also available for the above custom trips:     Inquire  
The weeks available for the Commercial Discount Rate would be the dates for the Custom weeks found on the schedule above in yellow.

 

* * * NOTE:  6% Florida sales tax must be added to the above rates. * * *


Go to "Contact Us" Page
Elke@KayakV.com  - Phone - 863-610-1607

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                       BACK TO TOP OF SCHEDULE  

 

AIRPORT DETAILS


Gulf Islands: use Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers 

- - - -  For same day flights - - - - 

FIVE NIGHT TRIP
Please land for a 2:30pm arrival, or 3:00pm at the latest!
Please schedule return flights for a 12noon departure, or later -
11:30am at the earliest.

TWO
OR THREE NIGHT TRIP
(if flying on the start and/or end days of the trip)
Please land for a 10:30am airport arrival, or 11:00am at the latest.
Please schedule return flights for a 2:30pm departure, or later -
2pm at the earliest.

The group Airport Shuttle departs the airport for Mirage when the last person for the charter lands .
 Shuttle is about a one hour drive for the Gulf Islands and 90 min. for the Everglades. 

Airport Shuttle for RSW
Airport Shuttle Details will be sent two weeks before your trip.
Fees generally run about $25, for the Gulf Islands,
and about $35, for the Everglades, IF the size of the group is 3 or more
The shuttle base price is $76, for the Gulf Islands, and about $105, for the Everglades, 
for 1, 2, or 3 people. (May be subject to change by the shuttle service.)
Payment is made to the shuttle driver with cash or credit card.  
Please also have cash for tips for the driver.

Arriving in your own vehicle or a rental vehicle
If you are driving and need parking, please contact us directly to discuss options available. 
Parking is generally $10-15 per night, per vehicle. 


Florida Keys: use Key West International Airport (EYW)

- - - -  For same day flights - - - - 

FIVE NIGHT TRIP
Please land for a 3:30pm arrival, or 4:00pm at the latest!
Please schedule return flights for a 11:00am departure, or later -
10:30am at the earliest.

THREE
NIGHT TRIP
(if flying on the start and/or end days of the trip)
Please land for a 11:00am airport arrival, or 11:30am at the latest.
Please schedule return flights for a 2:30pm departure, or later -
2pm at the earliest.

Airport Shuttle for EYW
The airport is only a 15 minute ride from the departure dock. 
Taxicabs are available when planes land. 
Cost for 1 person is on the meter at about $14 - for 2 or more - it's $7 per person flat rate.

For larger groups on custom trips, an Airport Shuttle van can be reserved in advance. 

The group Airport Shuttle departs the airport for Mirage when the last person for the charter lands .


Arriving in your own vehicle or a rental vehicle
If you are driving and need parking, please contact us directly to discuss options available. 
Parking is generally $10-15 per night, per vehicle. Occasionally we can find lower cost parking in Key West.

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John loading the kayaks at the end of the day



More Information about
  FLORIDA Guided Sea Kayak Tours on MIRAGE MOTHERSHIP

The Florida Paddling Experience: The varied ranges of activities aboard Mirage are appropriate for all levels of paddlers - from beginners to experienced.  We do not require a rigid "follow the leader" format.  Different length trips or smaller groups who choose to paddle faster on their own can be coordinated.  Our newest environment around Captiva and Cayo Costa, offers the opportunity to paddle or play in the waves (as an option for some), when our "cold fronts" pass through. These are the advantages of our "mothership" format.  We organize our days to take into account the experience and fitness levels of our guests, giving you an enjoyable paddling experience and the opportunity to develop your skills.  Paddling lessons in technique are available and included.  Of course just lounging and relaxing aboard or on the beach, taking a break from paddling, is always an option.

POSSIBLE ITINERARIES
The Gulf Islands/Cayo Costa Trip Itinerary:
The shallow draft Mirage was designed to access a variety of environments, giving us the flexibility to reach the best paddling destinations for the weather during any given week.  The overall weekly itinerary may consist of a circular route with excellent opportunities for paddlers to hone their navigational skills.  We may start with paddling the mangrove creeks of the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on the "inside" of Sanibel Island.  Along the "inside" of Captiva, North Captiva is the Pine Island National Wildlife Refuge.  These bird sanctuary and rookery islands provide great opportunities to observe many species of water birds and migrating birds: Roseate Spoonbills, Brown and Great White Pelicans, Frigate Birds, Osprey, various Egrets and Herons, and many smaller bird species.  We often also see dolphins and manatee.  With views over the Gulf of Mexico, we'll paddle along the miles of beautiful beaches of Cayo Costa State Park and there we can also explore nature trails on foot if our guests desire to.  Mirage typically moves during breakfast or after paddlers have returned for the day, and anchors in a new location for the night.  The itinerary may vary according to weather or season and we can be flexible to accommodate our guests needs or requests. 
on the west coast of Florida  - with . . . .
  - 
J.N."Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge -  Pine Island National Wildlife Refuge  -  North Captiva Island - Cayo Costa State Park 
and the
"Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail"

Everglades Trip Itinerary: Designed to afford a variety of environments, and having the flexibility to reach the best paddling destinations for the weather during any given week: the overall weekly itinerary may consist of a circular route, navigating between the Ten Thousand Islands of the Everglades.  We bird watch, sometimes paddling up estuaries to the transition between the "River of Grass" and the mangrove creeks, on day or half day kayak trips.  These are excellent opportunities to hone navigational skills.  Typically Mirage moves after paddlers have launched, and anchors in a new location for the tour to return to.    We anchor a few nights in tidal channels and explore some remote island habitat and the grass flats tidal creek eco systems.  The itinerary may vary according to weather or season and we can be flexible to accommodate our guests needs or requests. 

Mirage Stern 2002.jpg (182438 bytes)

presented by  Kayak Voyagers  
of  CORAL ISLAND YACHTS AND CHARTERS, INC.
Elke@KayakV.com  -  863-610-1607

 

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