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Trip report: December 2017

Marco Island...

Paddling at Caxambas Pass

We launched from Caxambas Park, a 4-acre park on Marco Island, with boat ramp, ship store, and fishing along the seawall. The park provides access to the northern Ten Thousand Islands and Gulf of Mexico. After days of paddling in the mangroves of the Everglades, this was an opportunity for us to enjoy some clear water and shelling along white sand shoreline, while watching birds and dolphins. (Detailed map and photos below.)

Marco Island Paddling Map

Distance: Varies
Location: Collier County
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Tidal: Yes
Launch points: Caxambas Park (See map)
Nearby points of interest: Marco Island, Naples, The Everglades, Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Rentals/Outfitters/Tours:

Florida Adventures and Rentals (rentals/tours)
Paddle Marco (rentals/tours)
Tigertail Beach (rentals/tours)

Support and Advocacy:

Friends of Rookery Bay

 Page Summary:

1. Paddling at Marco Island
   - Caxambas Park Launch to Dickmans Island
   - Dickmans Island
   - Dickmans Island back to Caxambas Park
2. More Paddling
   - Along US 17
   - Black Creek Park
3. More Information and Resources

Paddling at Marco Island... Comments and Photos

Look, but do not disturb birds on sandbars. Some sandbars are seasonally posted, as this is an important area for shore birds feeding and nesting nearby.

Caxambas Park Launch to Dickmans Island

Launching from the boat ramp at Caxambas Park, pay the small launch fee at the ship store. No dedicated hand-carry launch, but the paved boat ramp is extra wide, so there was plenty of room to launch our kayaks from the side, without interrupting the larger boats. We paddled across Caxambas Pass - past Henry Key, to Dickmans Island and its beach.

Dickmans Island

We paddled around to the Gulf side of the island, enjoying its beach. It was hard to believe how close to the city we were.

Dickmans Island back to Caxambas Park

We paddled back across Caxambas Pass, the tide was going out creating a sandbar in front of us but we were able to paddle around. At the seawall 5-6 dolphin were chasing fish - paddling near them was a highlight.

More Paddling

Cape Romano

From the northern tip of Dickmans Island, it is about a 4.5 mile straight paddle along island shoreline to the southern tip of Cape Romano. Famous for its (abandoned) concrete domed houses, this is a popular spot with sea kayakers and campers. Along the way, Kice Island is another popular paddling destination. This is only the beginning of paddling opportunities in the Ten Thousand Islands area.

Shown: Dickmans Island toward Kice Island

More Information and Resources

Nearby Paddling:

Rookery Bay (Overview)
Kayaking in Everglades National Park (Overview)
Great Calusa Blueway (Overview)
See FL South Region for more paddling

Related Resources:

Caxambas Boat Park and Marina