1. Ponce Inlet - New Smyrna Beach, FL - See the Photo Album with full screen slideshow here - municipal ramp...free - Fantastic daytrip...kayak to the lighthouse and take out for a picnic. Bring some walking shoes and a kayak lock. Reasonably protected water so the conditions are good almost anytime. (Tide Zone!!) ..Access to the Atlantic... Watch for Dolphins in this area..have the camera ready. This is a grade A daytrip!!
2. St. Augustine Florida - Kayaking is very popular in Florida but beware of alligators. Research you destination and consider a guided tour. The flagship team put in at a municiapal boat ramp in St. Augustine....free. It was a beautiful location and highly recomended for early morning adventures. The boat ramp was shallow and easily accessible. There was a beautiful lighthouse along the water within 1/2 mile of the boatramp. There are pictures in the photo album.Photo Album - clicking on a picture in the viewing window will cause it to display in full size full screen
3. Shell Point Marina FL - West Shell Point Road - free - we launched from and abonded ramp at the marina. Great wildlife viewing. Kayak out into the bay and see St. Pete on the other side. There are several beaches within kayaking range toward the north. Kayak around mangrove covered islands to the south. See the Photo Album with full screen slideshow here
4. Spa Beach - downtown St. Petersburg FL - small park fee - beach launch. We launched from Spa Beach, but there is another municipal beach very close by that may be better for launching. The water is open to the bay and can get pretty choppy. You may have to break through a light surf at the beach. We kayaked around the pier in 2 ft seas and into the marinas near the ferris wheel during the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Indy race. Great trip if the weather is good. Watch for fishing lines from the pier. See the Photo Album with full screen slideshow here
6. Lake Eufaula, AL ...See the Photo Album with full screen slideshow here Great lake to spot alligators.We happened upon a 10-12 footer crossing the lake about 50 feet ahead. This is a large lake with an oppurtunity to see a wide variety of wildlife. There are several parks and ramps around the lake, both in Georgia and Alabama. We camped at Lakepoint near Eufaula city. Be sure visit the town to see the magnificent plantation era homes in Eufaula. http://www.alapark.com/parks/park.cfm?parkid=18
7. West Point Lake, Lagrange, GA ... See the Photo Album with full screen slideshow here Beautiful Lake in west Gerogia. Camping and boat launches abound. Beware of a lot of fishing traffic in this lake. There is camping at various parks around the lake both in Georgia and Aalabama. We launched at Horace King Park on the south end of the lake near Lagrange, GA...small fee...facilities...very well kept. See the plantation houses in Lagrange while you're visiting.
8. Lake Talquin ... Sneads, FL ... See the Photo Album with full screen slideshow here Nice little park with camping and facilities on Hopkins Landing Rd. Small fee to launch. Aligators abound near the park...we saw a 2 1/2 footer near the boat dock and could hear some larger ones croaking in the cove nearby. We spotted a Bald Eagle circling overhead. He remained in the area the entire time we were on the water. This is not a trip for brand new beginners. The water is a little choppy and the wind is strong most of the time.
9. Lake Seminole, Three Rivers Park, FL ... See the Photo Album with full screen slideshow here We camped at Three Rivers Park and launched at the campground ramp. There are aligators and abundant wildlife in the area. There are canoe rentals in the park. http://www.floridastateparks.org/threerivers/ . There is a lot of lake to explore and the water is usually suitable for kayakers with little experience.
