Strong Currents In Pass Navigate With Care

1 SAN CARLOS BAY - 8 15 CANOE BUNCHE BEACH PRESERVE GPS: N26 23 29 W81 50 23 & TACKLE OUTFITTERS Strong Currents In Pass GPS: N26 28 34 W81 58 02 Gulf to bay state park offers a variety of GPS: N26 26 06 W81 48 38 Navigate With Care This Lee County property offers varied amenities. Three launch sites within park, Canoe, kayak and SUP rentals / sale. Fully Strong Currents In Pass ecosystems including sandy beaches, salt which has three entrances; admission fee. stocked fishing tackle shop. Navigate With Care flats and mangroves. The 730-acre site offers 239-463-4588. Kayak, canoe and SUP 239-992-4050. excellent opportunities for observation rentals and guided tours available through of shorebirds. Kayak / SUP rentals and guided Nature Recreation Management of Lee County. FINLJ trips available through concessionaire Kayak 239-765-7788. 16 MULLOCK CREEK MARINA Excursions, 239-297-7011. CFINJKLGA GPS: N26 28 25 W81 51 6 239-533-7444. Small “Old ” paddle friendly marina Strong Currents In Pass Navigate With Care 9 DOG BEACH with backwater access to eastern . FINLGH GPS: N26 22 49 W81 51 44 1 Canoe and Kayak rentals, live bait, cold 2 BOWDITCH POINT Dogs run free in this beach setting on beverages and snacks. 239-992-3945. 16 REGIONAL PRESERVE protected water. Launch bayside across from Dog Beach. 239-533-7444. GPS: N26 27 48 W81 57 58 CFINKLJ An unspoiled 17-acre Lee County recreation FIL 17 FISH TRAP MARINA area with sandy beaches on both the bay and GPS: N26 19 21 W81 49 55 the gulf, and a boardwalk to the beach. Grills, 10 BIG HICKORY ISLAND AREA Paddlecraft launching allowed. Parking limited. 4 changing facilities and outdoor showers are LAUNCHES Fully stocked bait and tackle shop. Strong Currents In Pass Navigate With Care available. Named for the famous navigator, GPS: N26 22 0 W81 51 24 239-992-6055. 2 Nathaniel Bowditch. 239-533-7444. Squaw Creek GPS: N26 22 34 W81 51 37 CINL 3 FINKLG Big Hickory Island West 18 RIVER PARK 3 HOLIDAY ADVENTURE GPS: N26 22 49 W81 51 42 GPS: N26 20 14 W81 48 29 5 Kayak Beach Strong Currents In Pass TOURS & BOAT RENTAL AT PINK This site has green space, boardwalks through Navigate With Care Primitive launches with free parking and SHELL RESORT & MARINA mangroves and floating docks. Within access to barrier island beach of Big Hickory. walking distance of places to purchase lunch, 6 GPS: N26 27 38 W81 57 51 Strong Currents In Pass Landmark is the Bonita Springs water tower. provisions. 239-992-2556. Kayak / SUP rentals, boat rentals, fishing Navigate With Care 239-533-7444. Strong Currents In Pass charters, parking (fee) and beachside Navigate With Care FIKG 7 restaurants. Second location at Best Western FI Strong Currents In Pass Plus Beach Resort. 239-463-8661. 19 BOAT RAMP Navigate With Care 11 BOW TIE ISLAND GPS: N26 20 19 W81 48 17 FINL GPS: N26 22 35 W81 51 13 A Lee County Parks & Recreation facility. Blueway Marker 8 is near this primitive site Canoe and kayak launch separate from 4 SAN CARLOS RV PARK 13 for tent camping, picnicking and landing. boat ramp. 239-533-7275. 15 & ISLAND RESORT Practice Leave No Trace principles. GPS: N26 28 05 W81 56 54 239-533-7444. CFIKL Camp or stay in rentals in family-owned Strong Currents In Pass 14 RIVERSIDE PARK Navigate With Care and operated resort surrounded by the bay. D 20 Tenters welcome. Stay along the water’s edge GPS: N26 20 30 W81 46 46 and for paddling, fishing and birding. Launch 12 MOUND KEY ARCHAEOLOGICAL Spacious riverfront park with frequent sites for guests of campground only. STATE PARK art shows and festivals. Grounds GPS: N26 25 12 W81 51 43 showcase historic Lile’s Hotel and Strong Currents In Pass 239-466-3133 or 800-525-7275. Navigate With Care This man-made island, consisting of large shell Imperial River Cottages. Kayak / SUP rentals 12 CFIJKLDM middens rising as high as 31 feet, is one of and tours available through concessionaire Strong Currents In Pass the foremost preserved sites within the Calusa Ghost Tours at Riverside Park, 239- Navigate With Care SALTY SAM’S MARINA 5 domain. Mound Key is believed to be the 938-5342. Full paddle outfitter shop across GPS: N26 27 28 W81 56 36 capital of the Calusa when the Spanish arrived the street, 239-221-8218. 239-992-2556. In addition to kayak rentals, this marina in Florida and the location of the first Jesuit offers boat/paddle craft launching (fee), Strong Currents In Pass mission in the Spanish New World. Accessible FIKLH Navigate With Care parking (fee), food, restaurant, and only by boat; canoe and kayak landings are powerboat rentals. 239-463-7333. 21 CULLUM’S BONITA TRAIL located at trail heads on the northwest and GPS: N26 20 13 W81 44 40 CINLJ southeast portions of the island. Paddle craft launch with access to eastern 239-992-0311. Imperial River. Park connected to Bonita Strong Currents In Pass MATANZAS PASS PRESERVE Navigate With Care 6 Nature Place via hiking trails. Bonita Nature GPS: N26 27 05 W81 56 11 GH Place includes gopher tortoise preserve, bat Strong Currents In Pass A 60-acre preserve where visitors can explore ESTERO RIVER SCRUB house, bee house, butterfly garden and picnic Navigate With Care a maritime oak hammock and mangrove 13 GPS: N26 26 21 W81 50 24 area. 239-992-2556. forest via two miles of boardwalk, which Part of Estero Bay Preserve State Park, this site includes paddle craft landing. Historic features six miles of hiking, mountain biking FIKG cottage on site. and running trails through 1,260 acres of Accessible Public Land 239-533-7444. scrub habitat. These scrub ridges are historic 8 8 LGH dune systems providing habitat for gopher County sites tortoises and other plants and animals that tolerate dry conditions. Paddlecraft landing 7 MOUND HOUSE C Boat Launch L Restrooms Estimated mile marks GPS: N26 26 46 W81 55 39 only. 239-992-0311. State sites Explore the culture and natural environment GA F Paddle Craft Launch M Lodging 10 of Fort Myers Beach through hands- (not always free) Strong Currents In Pass on experiences atop a 2,000 year old I Parking G Hiking 9 KORESHAN STATE HISTORIC SITE Navigate With Care Calusa Indian Shell Mount. This unique 14 GPS: N26 26 11 W81 49 10 Restaurant or 11 archaeological and historical site located N A Biking Wading Bird Feeding & Loafing Areas 10 One of Florida’s most unusual riverside parks Concession directly off Estero Bay, offers guided kayak features the remains of a utopian pioneer At low and medium tides, these tours, boat tours, beach walks and museum J Phone D Camping settlement founded in 1894 by Dr. Cyrus areas are the main formations programs. Grounds open daily, sunrise to Teed. The group was based on a religious Picnic Facilities Historic Site of oyster beds in Estero Bay, sunset for launching. www.moundhouse.org K H Advanced paddlers Strong Currents In Pass illumination that led the Koreshans to believe providing habitat for all species 239-765-0865. No trail markers Navigate With Care that the earth was a hollow sphere with life of shellfish feeders, probers existing on the interior surface. Canoe / and fish foragers. FILH 10 kayak rentals and tours are available through A COMPLETE LIST OF GUIDES AND concessionaire College of Life Foundation, OUTFITTERS CAN BE FOUND AT 239-992-2184. Entrance fee. WWW.CALUSABLUEWAY.COM TRAIL MARKER 17 239-992-0311. NOTE Strong Currents In Pass Navigate With Care CIKLGDH Please note that Trail marker trail markers are GPS coordinates not numbered sequentially due to forks in the trail

20 Great Florida NOT FOR 19 Birding Trail 18 21 www.floridabirdingtrail.com Channels NAVIGATIONAL USE Major boating channels For local navigation charts, see those listed below: NOAA Charts: 17 #11426 Charlotte Harbor - Estero Bay Florida Greenways & Trails #11427 ICW from Estero to Boca Grande www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/ Waterproof Charts: #15F Fish Dive Sites- Marco to Tampa #20 ICW Fort Myers to Stewart #21 ICW Fort Myers to Tampa Trail markers #25 Cape Romano to Boca Grande MILES Selected markers shown #121F Sanibel To Venice

1012 Observing Wildlife Along the Great Calusa Blueway, you’ll have the opportunity to observe many remarkable species in their natural habitats. You’ll have the chance to spy dolphins racing across the horizon and manatees lumbering through the backwaters. Bird watching is big here, and best of all, birds can be spotted just about anytime and anywhere. Bald eagles, herons, egrets, ospreys, pelicans, roseate spoonbills and wood storks are just a few of the more than 300 species you may discover here. Unspoiled, Undisturbed, Uninterrupted During your visit, we hope you will find time to enjoy many of the wonderful experiences there are to be found in our diverse For paddling opportunities in Charlotte County visit: ecosystem. It is an environment that is as beautiful as it is fragile. It is up to all of us – residents and guests alike – to protect it, http://charlottecountyfl.com/communityservices/blueway.asp and leave the same wonders we enjoy today preserved for generations to come. Help Our Wildlife • Please dispose of trash and food items properly. • Observe all wildlife from a safe distance. When on board a vessel, stay at a distance of at least 50 yards (150 feet or 45 meters) and use binoculars or a telephoto lens to improve your view. • Feeding wildlife is illegal, causes animals to lose their natural fear of humans and increases their vulnerability to injuries and death. • Seagrasses are a valuable part of Florida’s marine environment. Please use caution at low tide, so as not to impact the fragile sea grass beds and marine life nurseries. • Pick up fishing line and debris – leave the scene cleaner than you found it. Recommended Safety Gear

• Flotation gear - Florida law • First aid kit requires a Coast Guard • Flashlight and whistle approved, readily accessible • Insect repellent and wearable personal • Sunglasses, sunscreen, flotation device (PFD) for covering and hats Parks with an emphasis on the ecology of Southwest each occupant. PFDs must be • Binoculars, GPS unit Florida are identified by the numbers below. For worn by all occupants or Compass detailed information on each of them, and a complete under age 6. • Cell phone list of parks, visit www.FortMyers-Sanibel.com. • Potable water – Be careful • Water shoes, dry bag 1 Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary of dehydration • Map or chart • Extra paddle • Smartphone app 2 Bowditch Point Regional Park • Bow and stern line 3 Caloosahatchee Regional Park 4 5 Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve 6 Hickey’s Creek Mitigation Park Lee County invites paddlers from 7 J.N. “Ding” Darling National around the world to explore the Play It Safe Wildlife Refuge fabled bays, rivers, backwaters and • Use caution at passes; strong currents exist. 8 Koreshan State Historic Site shorelines of . • Watch for powerboats; stay to the right and turn your The Great Calusa Blueway paddling bow into the wake. 9 Lakes Regional Park trail has been developed by Lee • Secure your car and take keys with you. Lovers Key State Park County Parks & Recreation and • Paddle in a group or with a buddy. 10 funded with tourist development • Let someone know your plans – where you are going 11 Manatee Park tax dollars specifically dedicated and when you plan to be back. Matanzas Pass Preserve to beach and shoreline • Be careful with campfires; use cook stoves whenever possible. 12 enhancement projects. • Access to private land should be by invitation only. 13 Rotary Park Inspired by the indigenous , the Great Calusa • Make mental notes as you pass trail markers – knowing the 14 Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve & Blueway encompasses three distinct regions of the Gulf number of the closest marker will help emergency personnel of Mexico coast. The first portion of the trail meanders should you need assistance. Interpretive Center through Estero Bay, while the second segment centers • Watch the sky for changing weather. 15 Mound House on Pine Island Sound and Matlacha (pronounced Mat-la- Navigation shay) Pass. A third leg of the trail takes paddlers inland to 16 Randell Research Center the Caloosahatchee and its tributaries. The enlarged map of Estero Bay 17 Sanibel-Captiva This map shows all three regions, but covers only shows suggested routes for canoes and kayaks as well as random Global Conservation Foundation Estero Bay in detail. We hope it will serve as your guide Positioning System (GPS) coordinates to the natural and historic highlights of these protected along the trail. For a complete list of waterways, while also helping you locate amenities marker numbers with GPS coordinates, along the trail. visit www.GreatCalusaBlueway.com. Markers are intermittent and sometimes not always within your line of sight. Marker numbers do not necessarily run in consecutive order because of forks in the trail. Portions of the trail may be inaccessible during periods of extreme low tide. Orlando Tick marks on the map indicate an approximate mile wherever possible. Note that the trail crosses busy boating channels used by recreational and commercial powerboats. Please paddle safely. The Calusa Blueway is among the first water trails in the country to have a state- of-the-art smart-phone application users can Fort Myers download for free to more easily navigate Phase 1 & 2: Sanibel & Captiva Islands Southwest Florida waters. It provides real- Miami time GPS coordinates and navigation, an Miles of marked trail...... 97 interactive trail map with places of interest identified, tips and regulations, historical and cultural information, and launches and highlights of the Funding for printing 3410 Palm Beach Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33916 entire 190-mile trail. Visit Google Play or the iTunes store. Phase 3: provided by: 239-533-7275 A Boater’s Guide with additional navigation information is also available for smart phones at Google Play or the iTunes Miles of tributaries...... 52 For More Information: store. http://goo.gl/244Zp For paddling opportunities Paddling Trail - www.CalusaBlueway.com As you explore the Great Calusa Blueway, we remind you Miles of river...... 38 in Collier County visit: Area Information - www.FortMyers-Sanibel.com to preserve this paddling paradise by leaving nothing behind For more information, visit www.CalusaBlueway.com Lee County Parks & Recreation - www.LeeParks.org and taking only photos. www.paradisecoastblueway.com

©2016 Lee County Parks & Recreation Volunteer Opportunities - Call 239-533-7422 Revised 09.17