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7 Day itinerary in United States, North America

Paddling and Exploring Florida’s Emerald Coast, Grayton B...

When the rest of the country is bundling up for winter we will enjoy an active week of paddling spring-fed rivers, hiking pine forests, and playing on the beach. In the evenings we will return to our beachside cabins for nightly happy hour, freshly prepared dinners, and tall tales about the day’s ad... Read More

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Greg

By Greg

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Easy
help_outline

Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English

GUIDANCE

Tour Leader

starting point

Pensacola

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Kayaking

Hiking

Outdoors & Nature

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

Journey into the heart of wild Florida

2

Enjoy snorkeling in the scenic Holmes Creek

3

View all of the wildlife on Choctawhatchee flood plain

4

Visit Sohal River which is a nature photographer’s dream

Itinerary

Mid-Range Accommodation expand_more

Day 1

place Arrival

Pick up at the Pensacola International Airport. Lunch in town, then drive to our cabins. (Guests driving in should meet at our cabins after 3 pm) Afternoon paddling instruction, a tour of the park, and a cocktail hour meet and greet.

Meals: Dinner

Day 2

place Holmes Creek

Be sure to bring your snorkeling gear when paddling scenic Holmes Creek. This remote Panhandle stream is fed by crystalline springs, so the water’s clarity is often semi-transparent. Low-hanging branches and twisting bends add some challenge as the waterway makes its way past high sandy banks and lush swamplands. Several old-growth cypress and gum trees can be seen along the shore. Wildflowers in the spring and brilliant fall colors in October and November add to the beauty of this pristine waterway

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

place Homles Creek

Enjoy another day in Homles Creek. Enjoy when paddling scenic Holmes Creek snorkelling and canoe or kayaking on Hmles Creek on your own.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

place Choctawhatchee River

The CHOCTAWHATCHEE RIVER is a journey into the heart of wild Florida where wildlife far outnumbers humans. This river is 170 miles long, beginning in Alabama with about 88 miles in Florida. Expect to encounter few people or boats except near a few popular springs. The designated portion of this river is roughly a 64-mile stretch between SR 2 near the Alabama border to Cowford Landing on Hwy 20. The Choctawhatchee flood plain provides habitat for an array of native wildlife, with several endangered plant and animal species, including the federally threatened Gulf Sturgeon. There have been rumors of the believed-to-be-extinct ivory-billed woodpecker hidden among the primordial wetlands. The Choctawhatchee winds through a broad flood plain dotted with old-growth hardwood forests and a few sparkling springs whose clear waters mingle with the tea-colored flow of the majestic river.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

place Choctawhatchee River

Continue to enjoy another day at Choctawhatchee River on your own.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

place Shoal River

Shoal River is a nature photographer’s dream, the shallow, gold-tinted river threads through a northwest Florida wilderness of high sandy hills, broad sandbars perfect for rest stops, and floodplain forest. The surrounding forest is a mixture of maple, birch, oak, gum, and cypress. The land along the Shoal is mostly undeveloped with the first signs of civilization appearing near the Hwy 85 takeout just south of Crestview. The Shoal River meanders through pristine habitat that is home to Florida black bear, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and many other species that a quiet, observant paddler may glimpse.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

place Ecofina Creek

Ecofina Creek is one of the most outstanding waterways in the state and is truly a wild experience, with few signs of human habitation and an abundance of wildlife and native vegetation. This swift-flowing waterway is a nature-lovers delight and the upper section offers a challenging adventure for experienced paddlers.

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Meals expand_less

  • Dinner (6)
  • Breakfast (6)
  • Lunch (5)

Transport expand_less

  • Pensacola Airport Pick up

Activities expand_less

  • Kayaking throughout the trip
  • Take part in snorkelling in holmes creek
  • Enjoy the wildlife at Choctawhatchee

Not Included expand_less

  • Flights
  • Airport drop off
  • Meals
  • Optional Activities
  • Tips for Guides and Drivers

About Greg

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FROM PRICE PER TRAVELER

$1,765.00 USD