Guide to Sea Kayaking in Southern Florida: The Best Day Trips and Tours from St. Petersburg to the Florida Keys

This is a really good book for kayakers, if you are not familiar with the area or the weather habits. Each location in Florida is a little different. From tides to weather. What I like about it is it gives you alot of info BEFORE you get out there. This helps make the kayaking adventure more fun, as you are more prepared and aware. If you are not familiar with the area, get this book! I live here in FL, and travel all around. Fortunately, I am already aware of the majority of the info in this book. I was merely looking for more areas to use the kayaks. If you are a beginner, or from out of state...get this book before you head out and become a statistic! ha ha. But really, some good preperation and info will help with a great day of kayaking in the many great areas of Florida!

Thank you Nigel Foster for such a complete and wonderful guide! I have been to a few areas in Florida, and can not wait to go this February and "try" out a few more of the recommended trips. A friend and I are going to go to Ding Darling Refuge and the Black Island (Lover's Key) trip at the very least. The trip descriptions have me longing for my vacation to get here. Very good maps, and I appreciate the section on places to stay and camp!

Very good advice in the Keys section. Did several of the trips recently. Always "as advertised" in the book.Worth the $$$.

Nigel Foster has finally turned his excellent writing skills to South Florida. Having kayaked in South Florida for the past 6 years, I have personally done most of the trips described in the book. Mr. Foster's descriptions are brief, but his attention to detail, and excellent on-water guides make the book very useful. Short accounts of the history of some areas (i.e., "The Watson Mystery") enliven the book. It is written in the style of a travel guide - a bit unusual for a guide to kayak touring, but it lends itself to the area. His "Caution" tips, e.g., "Watch out for racoons at your picnic site." are well-chosen. Trip ratings are very reasoned and appropriate, e.g., "Paddling the outer coast is committing, with exposure to the Gulf...Waves across Whitewater Bay generally produce a short chop...No one lives in this area, and there's no way out of it except at the camping sites...." A concisely written book. Well done!