KAYAK VOYAGERS
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
Trips, Custom
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
Photo by Elizabeth Beers
Back to Home Page
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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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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Last
Season's SCHEDULE
2011-2012 Winter - Spring
(Scroll above and below chart to access the details)
RATES Found Below
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| Date - 2011-2012 Sample | # of nights | Location | ||||
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December 21 - 26
( Wed - Mon) Holiday Celebration |
5 | Florida Gulf Islands | - | |||
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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 | - | |||
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January 8 - 13 (Sun -
Fri) Full Moon Trip |
5 |
Florida Gulf Islands |
- | |||
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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 | - | |||
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February 18 - 23 (Sat -
Thurs) Dark Sky for Star Gazing |
5 | Florida Keys - Key West |
Can Be a Custom Week! Call for details! |
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March 3 - 8 (Sat - Thurs) Custom Trip / Full Moon Trip |
5 | Florida Gulf Islands | - | |||
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March 10 - 15 (Sat -
Thurs) Custom Trip |
5 | Florida Gulf Islands | - | |||
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March 17 - 22 (Sat -
Thurs) Manatees and Marine Bird Flocks |
5 | Florida Gulf Islands | - | |||
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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) | |||
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April 7 - 10 (Sat - Tues) Custom Trip |
3 | Florida Gulf Islands | - | |||
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April 14 - 19 (Sat - Thurs) Scheduled Trip |
5 | Florida Gulf Islands | - | |||
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April 21 - 24 (Sat - Tues) Scheduled Trip |
3 | Florida Gulf Islands | - | |||
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April 28 - May 3 (Sat -
Thurs) Custom Trip |
5 | Florida Gulf Islands | - | |||
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May 5 - 8 (Sat - Tues) Custom Trip / Full Moon Trip |
3 | Florida Gulf Islands | - | |||
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May 12 - 17 (Sat - Thurs) Custom Trip |
5 | Florida Gulf Islands | - | |||
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May 19 - 22 (Sat - Tues) Custom Trip / Dark Sky for Star Gazing |
3 | Florida Gulf Islands | - | |||
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Scheduled Trips -
Teal Blue |
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. |
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RATES: (can scroll up for schedule) |
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| Rates for Scheduled Trips: |
Rate
per person single - private cabin |
Rate
per person double occupancy |
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| - 5 Night Scheduled Trip | $ 2,025 | $ 1,850 | ||||
| - 3 Night Scheduled Trip | $ 1,295 | $ 1,150 | ||||
| - 2 Night Scheduled Trip | $ 895 | $ 750 | ||||
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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.
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| * * * NOTE: 6% Florida sales tax must be added to the above rates. * * * | ||||||
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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. |
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- - - - For same day flights
- - - - |
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 John loading the kayaks at the end of the day |
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More Information about 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 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. |
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