Posted by David La Puma on November 15, 2001 at 09:49:09:
In Reply to: Re: Snake Bight (11/11) posted by Steve Siegel on November 14, 2001 at 22:42:51:
You can rent them at the Marina (They were open at 7:00am when I showed up with my own canoe...with a hole in it!)
The paddle is best started as early as possible, before any winds pick up. Watch the wind advisories the night before. Ideally you will have light on shore winds (< 5 knots), but the day we did it they were 10-14 knots out of the North/Northeast. If winds are out of the N/NE, you want to paddle as far across (N) the bight as possible, and then work your way back along the interior (you can use the boat channel once you round Christian Point and it will take you directly opposite the boardwalk). Depending on the tide, the interior will be exposed, slightly covered, or shallow...you will inevitably do some "muddy" paddling either way, and it's not too bad as long as you watch the tide (i.e. if it's going out, work your way out slowly with the tide). If the wind is out of the N/NE, by the time you return to flamingo the wind will be at your back, or blocked, making the last stretch easy (highly desirable...I fell asleep at this point and drifted half way back to the marina). If the winds are out of the south, do everything above in opposite order...but give yourself more time to return (if it's 10+ knots out of the south, reschedule!). You can always disregard these directions if you round Christian point and see thousands of birds right there in the beginning of the bight...I prefer to do the whole thing for photography because of the diversity of species congregations, lighting nuances, etc., but if the birds are thick, and it's closer to "home", why paddle the extra 6 miles!. The trip is best done with a partner...I've done it once by myself in a canoe and the return was really strenuous with the opposing wind. A kayak is better for the solo trip- and both canoes and kayaks (1 or 2 person) can be rented at Flamingo Marina.
I hope you take the trip! Let us know how it goes!
cheers
David
: Dave'
: Thanks for the great idea. Where do you rent the kayaks (at the marina)? How strenuous is the paddle from there to Snake Bight (for us old guys)?