Sea Kayak Vacations on Mirage Mothership for Guided Eco Trips by Everglades and Florida Keys Outfitters: Kayak Voyagers

About "Mirage" and our Sea Kayak Tours

Our third season in the Captiva - Cayo Costa -Sanibel barrier island region in the Gulf of Mexico, on the west coast of Florida - called the Gulf Islands. Enjoy beautiful sandy beaches and the prolific bird life. Take a private cabin aboard the fully crewed 70-foot outrigger catamaran MIRAGE. Let this one of a kind in the world support vessel be your home and launch site. We'll travel around the beautiful barrier islands forming Pine Island Sound: Cayo Costa State Park - North Captiva - Sanibel, with their miles and miles of beaches. Sea kayak in both the J.N."Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge and the Pine Island National Wildlife Refuge. Wildlife to observe: dolphin, manatee, turtle, tortoise, otter, wild boar, many kinds of fish, and many species of water birds and migrating birds!.

About the mothership - "Mirage": Unique kayak trips aboard "Mirage", our expedition equipped, one of a kind 70-foot power outrigger catamaran, and our traveling kayak launch site. With this mothership vessel carrying all the sea kayak gear, we will cruise to some of Florida's best nature locations. The outrigger hull (or ama) is the ideal staging platform for launching sea kayaks: low to the water for entering and exiting your kayak.

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Mirage is a stable, roomy, fully crewed mothership support vessel. Accommodations consist of five private cabins, with double and some single bunks. There's also plenty of deck space for sleeping under the stars. The perfect blend of dry and secure sleeping and outdoor living. Meals are prepared by the crew and served on deck in a patio style arrangement. There is a hot shower indoors and also outdoors, and a pool style boarding ladder at the 'ama' for swimming.

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Our trips are designed to be low impact tours, our role being that of observers. A good portion of our cruising ground is in 'refuge' environment where 'no take' and 'no touch' are the rules. Aboard Mirage we maintain a library on subjects ranging from local geology to South Florida history, encompassing our marine ecosystems, bird life, and stargazing. High quality binoculars are included in the inventory. Learn more about our environments, the wildlife, bird watching, and marine life on "Our Kayak Paddling Environments" page.

Instruction: A focus of ours is helping development of kayaking skills, so a paddler, through an increasing feeling of confidence and competence can more fully relax and enjoy a paddle through our interesting natural environment. We'll tour each day, putting it all together. For paddlers intent on learning particular techniques, from navigation through sculling and kayak rolling, we'll do special sessions. Learn without stress in our warmer waters. The touring, can be a couple of hours at a time, or most of the day, with a remote lunch stop. The touring and the instruction are both designed for each paddler at his own pace, without competition or pressure.

Equipment:
- Fiberglass and kevlar sea kayaks by Nigel Dennis Kayaks (NDK), Valley, Northwest, and Seda, including the Romany and Greenlander Pro
- Fiberglass and carbon paddles by Werner and Big Spoons; wooden Greenlander paddles by Mitchell.
- Accessories include charts and waterproof holders, compass, paddle floats, hand bilge pumps, spray skirts, and Lotus life jackets. - Link to Equipment page

Cuisine: Excellently prepared meals with an emphasis on freshness, flavor, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, and the energy needs of paddlers. Many specialties are available, such as fresh Florida seafood or chicken fajitas. Fresh fruit snacks, power bars, and crunchy salty snacks included. All drinks from coffee, juices, cold green tea, drinking water, electrolyte replacement drinks to some beer or wine with dinner is provided. Vegetarian specialties available. Our intention is to accommodate requests to ensure your enjoyment.

Nature and Paddling Library: Mirage has a full library of books on the history, geology, and wildlife of South Florida and the Everglades. Also on the Bahamas, on stargazing, and also books and DVDs on sea kayak paddling, navigation, and skill development.

Photo Buffs: For digital cameras, bring your camera cable or card reader to share your photos on our laptop computer.

Mothership Trip Amenities :
    - Outfitted with quality sea kayaks, paddles, and safety equipment
    - Kayaks by Nigel Dennis Kayaks (NDK), Valley Canoe Products (VCP), Northwest Kayaks (NW)
    - Para-foils
    - Nature and Paddling Library including DVDs
    - private cabins complete with all linens and towels
    - hot water shower indoor or on deck
    - all meals, snacks and drink prepared and supplied, including bottled water
    - Kayak Instruction available including sculling and rolling or learning to kayak (on a specialty trip)

NEW - SEASON SCHEDULE 2009

Week Long Trips
Trips will consist of a maximum of 6 paddlers, with a combined 3 paddler minimum.
Trips start with Sunday snack and dinner and go through Saturday breakfast.

NEW - SHORTER - Specialty Trips
A shorter, only 3 night package, for 2 to 4 paddlers; designed to afford more personal attention
- focus on our wonderful habitat and bird life, or for special skills development.
"Always wanted to learn to roll?" - With your commitment we will make that happen!
Trips held during the alternate weeks when Mirage is available
Trips will consist of a maximum of 4 guests, with only a 2 guest minimum.
These specialty trips usually start and end with Lunch - unless other arrangements are made in advance.

SEASON SCHEDULE 2009 SEA KAYAK TOURS - ABOARD MIRAGE - THE MOTHERSHIP
Date	Trip Length		Location	Rate per person single - private cabin	Rate per person double occupancy	Trip Full or Private Charter
Date	6 nights	3 nights	Location	Rate per person single - private cabin	Rate per person double occupancy	Trip Full or Private Charter
February 3 - 6 (Tues - Fri) Great White Pelican flock wintering in Florida	-	3	Florida Gulf Islands	$ 875	$ 750	-
February 8 - 14 (Sun - Sat) Valentine's Day Trip with Full Moon	6	-	Florida Gulf Islands	$ 1,625	$ 1,375	-
February 17 - 20 (Tues - Fri)	-	3	Florida Gulf Islands	$ 875	$ 750	-
February 22 - 28 (Sun - Sat) Dark Sky for Star Gazing	6	-	Florida Gulf Islands	$ 1,625	$ 1,375	-
March 3 - 6 (Tues - Fri)	-	3	Florida Gulf Islands	$ 875	$ 750	-
March 8 - 14 (Sun - Sat) Full Moon Trip	6	-	Florida Gulf Islands	$ 1,625	$ 1,375	-
March 17 - 20 (Tues - Fri)	-	3	Florida Gulf Islands	$ 875	$ 750	-
March 22 - 28 (Sun - Sat) Dark Sky for Star Gazing	6	-	Florida Gulf Islands	$ 1,625	$ 1,375	Private Charter
March 31 - April 3 (Tues - Fri)	-	3	Florida Gulf Islands	$ 875	$ 750	-
April 7 - 10 (Tues-Fri) Full Moon Trip	-	3	Florida Gulf Islands	$ 1,625	$ 1,375	-
April 12 - 18 (Sun - Sat) Easter Sunday Trip	6	-	Florida Gulf Islands	$ 875	$ 750	-
April 21 - 24 (Tues - Fri) Earth Day Celebration	-	3	Florida Gulf Islands	$ 1,625	$ 1,375	Private Charter
April 26 - May 2 (Sun - Sat) May Day Celebration	6	-	Florida Gulf Islands	$ 875	$ 750	-
"Go to "Contact Us" Form NOTE: 6% Florida sales tax must be added to the above rates. BACK TO TOP OF PAGE BACK TO TOP OF CALENDAR

AIRPORT DETAILS
Use Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers
- For same day flights -
- Please arrive by 2:30pm or 3:00pm at the latest! -
The group Airport Shuttle departs the airport for Mirage when the last person for the charter lands .
(Shuttle is about a one hour drive for the Gulf Islands and 90 min. for the Everglades),
On the return day, the shuttle returns the group to the airport at 10:30am.
Please schedule return flights at 12:00 noon or later.

Airport Shuttle
Airport Shuttle Details will be sent two weeks before your trip.
Fees generally runs about $25, for the Gulf Islands,
and about $35, for the Everglades, if the size of the group is 3 or more.
Payment is made to the shuttle driver with cash or credit card.
Please also have cash for tips for the driver.

Arriving in your own vehicle
If you are driving down, please contact us directly to discuss options available.

More Information about
FLORIDA Guided Sea Kayak Tours on MIRAGE MOTHERSHIP

The Florida Paddling Experience: The varied ranges of activities aboard Mirage are appropriate for all levels of paddlers - from beginners to experienced. We do not require a rigid "follow the leader" format. Different length trips or smaller groups who choose to paddle faster on their own can be coordinated. Our new environment around Captiva and Cayo Costa, offers the opportunity to paddle or play in the waves (as an option for some), when our "cold fronts" pass through. These are the advantages of our "mothership" format. We organize our days to take into account the experience and fitness levels of our guests, giving you an enjoyable paddling experience and the opportunity to develop your skills. Paddling lessons in technique are available. Of course just lounging and relaxing aboard, taking a break from paddling, is always an option.

The Gulf Islands/Cayo Costa Trip Itinerary: The shallow draft Mirage was designed to access a variety of environments, giving us the flexibility to reach the best paddling destinations for the weather during any given week. The overall weekly itinerary may consist of a circular route with excellent opportunities for paddlers to hone their navigational skills. We may start with paddling the mangrove creeks of the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on the "inside" of Sanibel Island. Along the "inside" of Captiva, North Captiva is the Pine Island National Wildlife Refuge. These bird sanctuary and rookery islands provide great opportunities to observe many species of water birds and migrating birds: Roseate Spoonbills, Brown and Great White Pelicans, Frigate Birds, Osprey, various Egrets and Herons, and many smaller bird species. We often also see dolphins and manatee. With views over the Gulf of Mexico, we'll paddle along the miles of beautiful beaches of Cayo Costa State Park and there we can also explore nature trails on foot if our guests desire to. Mirage typically moves during breakfast or after paddlers have returned for the day, and anchors in a new location for the night. The itinerary may vary according to weather or season and we can be flexible to accommodate our guests needs or requests.
- on west coast of Florida - with . . . .
- J.N."Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge - Pine Island National Wildlife Refuge - Cayo Costa State Park

Everglades Trip Itinerary: Designed to afford a variety of environments, and having the flexibility to reach the best paddling destinations for the weather during any given week: the overall weekly itinerary may consist of a circular route, navigating between the Ten Thousand Islands of the Everglades. We bird watch, sometimes paddling up estuaries to the transition between the "River of Grass" and the mangrove creeks, on day or half day kayak trips. These are excellent opportunities to hone navigational skills. Typically Mirage moves after paddlers have launched, and anchors in a new location for the tour to return to. We anchor a few nights in tidal channels and explore some remote island habitat and the grass flats tidal creek eco systems. The itinerary may vary according to weather or season and we can be flexible to accommodate our guests needs or requests.

presented by Kayak Voyagers
(was Raft Voyagers - we have dropped Raft from our name)
of CORAL ISLAND YACHTS AND CHARTERS, INC.