The tide may not be sure which way to go… But your guide sure knows the way to an Epic Adventure!
If you encounter a grumbly ‘ole fisherman on the flats, smile and wave. He’s bummed his isolated fishing hole recently got blazed for kayakers to land. Previously a five mile paddle to reach this Tolomato River Estuary slashed by the Intracoastal canal. A confused tidal ride around the New Pine Island (as in 1928 new) is a great adventure. You’ll be sore for sure if you fail to plan properly and get stranded without shade or enough water. Don’t risk it! Hire a local guide.
Mullet Fish jumping. Crabs scurrying. Flounder darting. Schools of Drums and Snook boiling in this shallow incubator of life. This tour emphasizes the importance of wildlife management, resource preservation, shoreline restoration, changing climate, rising sea levels, pollution, extinction, over population… then rejoice with the many ways we are all working together to turn things around.
Currents are swift and empty rapidly in this narrow straight away between Marsh Landing and the Tolomato River Basin connecting the two estuaries leaving the ancient creek bed creating the Pine Island Loop. The center between the mouth of the St. Johns River and the Matanzas Inlet. Where making Long distances short business the hour before low tide and hour before high tide. Just time it right or you are up against serious knotage to get back.
Falling tidal ride to Plantation Ruins is a must. To catch it, shove of an hour before low tide. Ride out and around the draining oyster flats. Getting into full current on the south end of the natural Tolomato River Bed. From there it is 3 miles to the GTM shore. If timed right paddle back on the ebbing tide, may be slight current helping out. Oyster fields now mudflats. It will be at least 3 hours before they are passable again. Bless the soul who gets their kayak stranded in the mud. If you find porting your kayak adventurous, have at it. Just wear your oyster proof shoes. If you sink in quicksand, remember, we are buoyant, lay back and relax to gently float feet to the surface. Role or crawl to firmer sand close by. Struggle makes you sink deeper.
Location: 30°03’57.2″N 81°22’18.8″W
Nocatee Kayak Launch located at the base of the southern trailhead of Nocatee’s Preserve, adjacent to the Tolomato River (Intracoastal West). The connector road off Crosswater Parkway, Nocatee Landing Trail, and is approximately 1 mile north of Crosswater.Parking: large parking lot.
Facilities: solar powered restroom, pavilion, shallow sandy kayak launch, trash cans, 1650 acre nature preserve trails. With fossil making mud flats and sand bars around Pine Island at low tide