Betsy's Blog

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  • Orange River Buckingham Road at Cemetary Road,
    July 11, 2009
      Hey Betsy,
    read more...
  • kayaking events,
    April 26, 2009
      I live in Cape Coral and would like to connect with others in the area that kayak.
    read more...
  • Manatees were awesome,
    February 19, 2009
      My wife and I just got back home after spending a week paddling the trail again. The manatees were awesome!
    read more...
  • A wonderful time,
    February 13, 2009
      My wife and I spent the whole week in Fort Myers, and we paddled 3 different tours on 3 parts of the Blueway. We stayed at the Point Estero Beach Resort. It was kind of away from Times Square, yet fairly close to the boating areas. We did an Estero Bay Eco tour.
    read more...
  • Can't wait for festival,
    February 10, 2009
      I plan to be down there and participate in everything I can, from tours to races, camping and partying. I look forward to meeting you there. Keep up the good work. – Terry Johnson, Director, Region C, Florida Saltwater Paddling Trails Association
    read more...
  • Goal: 500 miles,
    February 09, 2009
      I am getting back on my kayak again after a layoff. I am going to try to do 500 miles in Southwest Florida next year. – Terry Brennen
    read more...
  • Seeking new paddling places,
    February 06, 2009
      I love kayaking and am always looking for new places to paddle. Any info you can pass along to me would be great. – Judie Stanforth
    read more...
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QUESTIONS and ANSWERS

QAre trail markers visible from one to the next?
AMarkers are intermittent and not always visible within your line of sight. Marker numbers and letters do not necessarily run in consecutive order because of forks in the trail.
QHow long will it take to paddle from one point to another?
ATick marks on the maps indicate an approximate mile wherever possible. An average paddler travels 3 mph.
QHow do I know where to launch?
AMore than 40 marked launch sites are identified on the Great Calusa Blueway maps, and many more sites exist. Check out “highlights” on your trail maps or read Put-In Spots.
QHow do I get a map?
ALocally, you can find them at parks, outfitters, welcome centers, some government offices, marinas and other attractions. Maps can be mailed to those who request them online at Order a Trail Map. Maps also are in downloadable PDF versions at Download Trail Maps. GPS coordinates are available at Trail Marker GPS Coordinates.
QWhy are there three maps?
AThe trail is divided into three segments:
Phase 1/Estero Bay (blue); Fort Myers Beach, south Fort Myers, Bonita Beach, Estero, San Carlos
Phase 2/Pine Island Sound (maroon); south Fort Myers, Sanibel, Captiva, North Captiva, Useppa, Cabbage Key, Cayo Costa, Pine Island, Matlacha, Cape Coral
Phase 3/Caloosahatchee River and tributaries (yellow); Cape Coral, Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, Buckingham, Alva
To view and order the maps, click here.
QHow long is the Great Calusa Blueway?
AThe meandering trail is 190 miles (306 kilometers) along back bays, rivers, creeks, flats and mangrove shores. It’s rare for someone to paddle the whole thing in one trip. You can experience much of what the Great Calusa Blueway has to offer in an hour or two.