Paddle to Lignumvitae Key

On this outing we paddled to Lignumvitae Key. We got there just in time for the tour.

Ranger-guided tours are given twice daily, Friday through Sunday. The park is accessible only by private boat or tour boat.

After the tour we paddled over to Robbie's and explored the mangrove tunnels and the house boats behind Robbie's. Then we paddled to the kayak landing beach at Robbie's and went to The Hungry Tarpon for lunch. Then we paddled back to the Kon Tiki to hang out around the pool.

Leaving Robbie's

Painting we bought at Robbie's. It fit in my hatch to paddle back.

The video was recorded with my digital camera balanced on my spray deck.

Paddle around Shell Key

Our first paddle after we arrived at the Kon Tiki we paddled through Horseshoe Key and around Shell Key. An easy paddle to get our vacation started. Horseshoe Key is a bird nesting ground and it is really cool to watch the birds leave in the morning and return in the evening.

Ibis just hanging out 

The Lorax's Wife at the back entrance of Horseshoe Key

Back entrance to Horseshoe Key

Resident of Horseshoe Key

More inhabitants of Horseshoe Key 

The Lorax's Wife capturing the wild life

Selfie

Osprey at Shell Key

Great Heron at Shell Key

Guess I got to close

The Lorax's Wife watching the fish.

OK, we will stay away but good photo op.

Frigate Birds over Horseshoe Key

Find the iguana 

More Frigate birds

The Kon Tiki from the water

Tiki Bar at the end of the dock at the Kon Tiki

Relaxing in one of the hammocks at the Kon Tiki

Kayaking Florida Bay from Islamorada

For the holidays we spent a couple weeks in Islamorada over Christmas and New Years. It is the half way point between Miami and Key West. Islamorada, a "Village of Islands," is an incorporated village in Monroe County, Florida, United States. We find it to be a great central location to explore all the keys have to offer. 

We prefer to stay at the Kon Tiki Resort. It is a little village style resort with cottage style accommodation located on the Gulf side of the island. It is located in a sheltered area known as Little Basin. There are several Keys and areas to paddle within a mile of the launch making it a great spot for the recreational paddler that does not like to cover a long distance. The have a nice lagoon for swimming a heated pool and boat ramp.

This is the Kon Tiki.

We made several paddles from the boat launch to the surrounding keys.

Keys of note are Indian Key, Lignumvitae Key, Horseshoe Key and Shell Key. There are several Keys called Shell Key so it can get confusing. Also places to check out include Islamorada Fish Company, Robbie's and for you kayaking supply needs there is Backcountry Cowboy Outfitters.

This location also makes a good base to do some camping paddles and longer Paddles into Florida Bay. Little Rabbit Key is only about 12.5 miles from the Kon tiki. Carl Ross Key has been closed to camping but is only 8 miles from the Kon Tiki launch. And there are many other keys to explore in the Florida Bay from this location.

I will post our different paddles from our trip as separate post. 

Tiki Bar and fish cleaning station at the end of the dock.

Sitting at the end of the dock at the Kon Tiki drinking Key Lime Daiquiris 

The Tarpon at Robbie's

The Kon Tiki from the water