Egmont Key

The crossing from the tip of Mullet Key to Egmont Key is just under 2 miles, but this kayak trip is rated as advanced by book authors for a couple of reasons.

First, there is a lot of traffic in this area. Huge cargo vessels and very fast fishing boats. The very large boats travel in the shipping channel and you will want to cross the channel, paralleling the buoys, in as little time as possible. The smaller boats' paths are less predictable and you will have to pay attention all around you as you cross. I did this trip on a weekday and I think this was a good idea. There is likely to be much more traffic on a weekend.

Second, depending on the stage of tide the current can be very strong in the channel.

Third, the weather can change quickly and even a little wind can chop the water up considerably.

FYI: there are no concessions on the island so bring food and water. Also, for those without a sense of adventure, there is a ferry that will take you out and back for $15 with some sightseeing along the way. They also offer some optional side trips. Not a bad deal.

Mullet Key fishing pier is visible on the left and right of the arrow you can see the white spike of the Egmont lighthouse.

Dolphins were spotted on the way out and back.

There were at least 2 calves in this group.

Nose to nose.

After watching the dolphins for a while I resumed the trip to Egmont. During the half hour that I was watching the dolphins the water had become rougher. That combined with the current was making for a harder than expected paddle.

Whenever conditions are rough or I am having a hard time paddling I unaccountably start to sing or whistle the theme from Gilligan's Island. A few seconds of that and I feel better. This time however, my singing was interrupted by a large fish that shot out of the water and torpedoed me in the ribs, before falling back into the water. I didn't get a good enough look  at the fish to identify the species. It managed to hit me in a spot not covered by my pfd and left a nice bruise.

Everyone's a critic.

Not that I am vindictive or anything, but I did stop for sushi on the way home.

I finished the crossing just in time for the wind to die down and the water to become calm again.

Hurricanes in 1848 and 1852 did damage to the lighthouse, which was reconstructed in 1858 to better withstand storms.

Exterior of gun battery. You can see that the sand is washing out from under the battery. Rising sea level has already taken out other batteries and you can dive some of these.

Interior of gun battery.

Gopher Tortoise Gopherus polyphemus.

The island has a nice population of Gophers and Florida Box Turtles. Even if this wasn't a state park these animals are protected from commerce (the Gopher is protected from possession). Do not harass them or remove them from the island. Do not introduce ones from the mainland either as they may be carrying a disease. Both species are losing habitat on the mainland, so just enjoy being able to see them so easily and leave them for others to see.

Poison Ivy Toxicodendron radicans is found all over the island. Watch where you walk.

Hatchling with scute pattern abnormality.

Gophersaurus rex. I heard this tortoise coming for some time, judging by the amount of noise it made, I was expecting something the size of a bear.

Male Florida Box Turtle Terrapene carolina baurii that is missing its rear marginals, probably due to raccoon predation.

Seagrape Coccoloba uvifera.

Female Box Turtle.

Another nice looking female with broad stripes.

Black-headed Gulls Larus atricilla.

After walking the interior and exterior of the island I swam in the clear water surrounding it. The weather was perfect and the return trip was much easier. If you are interested in turtles, this is a trip worth taking.