Imagine paddling a magnificent water trail that covers the southwest Florida coast from Bonita Springs to Fort Myers! The waters in South Florida are ideal for kayak trips, and make a great family adventure. Imagine taking your children along and experiencing Florida as you have never seen it. With its large variety of historic sites and wildlife, there is always something new to be found.

This magnificent 50-mile water trail has numerous put-ins and points of interest, and great places to overnight. What season is the best for a kayak trip in Florida? Because Florida has a diverse climate, almost any time is good, but high season is December through March. The Great Calusa Blueway is located in the warm inviting waters of the Gulf of Mexico in the southwest quadrant of Florida commonly referred to as the Lee Island Coast.

You are actually going to experience two trails, with the current open trail that takes you through Estero Bay and the second trail that opened in the spring of 2004 that allows you to explore Pine Island Sound. Imagine gently gliding along the calm waters of the beautiful mangrove islands inhabited by some 300 species of birds and a multitude of animal and marine life! The Calusa Blueway received its name from the native American Indians who were the original inhabitants of this area. When you paddle this pristine area, you will experience and feel the history and importance these waters had to ancient people. You would never believe that kayak trips could get so good!

One other amazing experience is paddling into such significant archaeological sites as Mound Key. This entire island is constructed of shells discarded by a native tribe who actually inhabited the island before the arrival of the Europeans. Kayak trips are wide and diverse and an excellent way to teach your kids a bit about nature. So there you have it, a small taste of a what you and your family can experience in this paddlers dream called Florida!