The trip starts when participants are picked up early in the morning at the Wynstar Inn and Suites in Fort Meyers. From there we will proceed to the Shark Valley Nature Preserve, take a National Park tour through a wildlife preserve, where you'll see endangered birds and alligators and learn about the freshwater sawgrass ecosystem. After the nature tour, we will drive to Collier Seminole State park, review personal gear and repack into dry bags. Set up camp and review canoeing skills. Enjoy the evening with the group around a campfire.

Launch the canoes on the Blackwater River and travel about 12 miles out into Gullivan Bay in the Gulf of Mexico. Look for dolphins, manatees and pelicans on the way out to Whitehorse Key. Set up camp on the sandy beaches of this sub tropic wilderness. This can be a long day, but the results are well worth it! One benefit of being here is that mosquitoes cannot breed in salt water. They will be around, but in far fewer numbers than in the freshwater ecosystem.

Base camp and day trip further into the mangroves. Travel up Fish Hawk Creek to Gator Bay and into beautiful Buttonwood Bay. Here you will see white ibis, osprey, and possibly a Roseate Spoonbill.

Spend a layover day relaxing, swimming, gathering shells or exploring tidal pools. If you wish, paddle through slow-moving mangrove-lined canals and ponds rich with wildlife.

Paddle past Four Brothers Key to Dismal Key, exploring the canals and ponds.

Paddle back through Gullivan Bay to the mouth of the Blackwater River. Arrive back at Collier Seminole State Park in the late afternoon. We can expect to return to Fort Myers late that evening. Plan on late evening flights or better yet, stay overnight in a room with a hot shower and a comfortable bed and fly out the next morning.