Boy Scout High Adventure Archives

Well, it is officially winter in about 6 days, and the water temp is hovering around 75 degrees. Now, some of you northlanders might think this is spa temperature, but we islanders are already donning wetsuits and making hot cocoa. So what to do? Here at Namaste’ Sailing we are all about a comfortable experience for our guests and, most definitely, us. So how do we maintain our good charter karma and still keep warm and cozy when the water temp is not cooperating? Well, our good friends at Kayak Kings of Key West have come up with the perfect solution: The Ultimate Key West Kayaking Adventure.

Adventure Kayaking in the Florida Keys — Off the beaten path in the Florida Keys

We have teamed up with AJ’s company to offer a grand adventure to one of the coolest wilderness areas in all of the keys. The Marquesa keys are a collection of islets located about 23 miles west of Key West. These islands are a Mecca for waterfowl, shallow water reef creatures, and all sorts of mangrove-loving critters, truly a paddler’s dream. Most recently, the Marquesas have been in the news in conjunction with the lost Spanish treasure galleon, Atocha.

Mel Fisher discovered the mother lode of the Atocha about five miles west-southwest of the Marquesas. Since that time, the rumors have been rampant about lost treasure buried somewhere in the Marquesas.

Our ultimate Key West Kayak Adventure is limited to four to six guests and is better suited for experienced paddlers. Novices are welcome, but we do not hold back on adventure, so participants should be in good physical shape and capable of paddling up to 10 miles. Everything is included, so all you have to bring is yourself and a strong sense of adventure. The trip runs three days, so it is a perfect weekend getaway. Kayak Kings provides the equipment and guide and Namaste’ Sailing is your host, providing great accommodations, healthy meals (team effort) and our best in adventure safety. The cost is a deal at $1150/person, By the time you figure in a three night stay at a B&B, meals, and a private 3 day adventure, I challenge any one to find a better price or a better adventure in the Florida Keys. This one should definitely be on your bucket list.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive at the boat by 10:00 A.M. Crew orientation and safety briefing. Sails are set by 1’1:00, and were off on a three to four hour sail to the Marquesas. On the way, we will have lunch and a powerful eco-presentation by your guide. Namaste’ Sailing has developed quite a reputation for high quality and engaging eco-education, and you will not be disappointed. We will arrive at our protected anchorage by late afternoon, just in time for a beautiful sunset paddle. After the sunset, we will reconvene at the boat for some great grub and boat drinks (if that is your preference), followed by our very own “cosmic concert” under the absolutely perfect star field.

Key West sailing adventures with Namaste Sailing — Your view from the Namaste

Day 2: Up at sunrise, and with the help of some Cuban coffee, we will get us all fed with a hearty breakfast. On the water by 9:00 and begin the day paddling into the Marquesa bay known as “Mooney” harbor. Our guide will be pointing out creatures ranging from Roseate Spoonbills to juvenile blacktip sharks. We will explore mangrove tunnels that have escaped the onset of overdevelopment caused by a shortsighted tourist industry. You can expect to see waterfowl only found in the most secluded areas of the Everglades. We will have lunch on one of the many pristine coral sand beaches. The afternoon will find us exploring Red and Black Mangrove habitats not often seen by humans. By time the sun starts to fade, we will be paddling back to the mother ship, eagerly anticipating a great dinner and another beautiful night on the hook.

Day 3: This day is full of choices. We are open to more paddling, snorkeling, or sailing. It is totally up to the crew (That’s you). There are plenty of near shore reefs to explore, and since we are only 3 hours away from Key West, there is plenty of time to see it all. We should arrive back in Key West by 4:00 or 5:00, and after that you are free to explore Key West.

Whats Included:

Meals including day 1 lunch and dinner, day 2 breakfast lunch and dinner, day 3 breakfast and lunch
3 night accomodations either interior single and double berths or above deck sleeping pads or hammocks (your choice)
kayaks, paddles, safety equipment.

What to Bring:

Sun block, towels, light jackets, fowl weather gear, adult beverages, fishing equipment, smiles, and a strong sense of adventure.

Cost: $1150 per person (limit 6 guest per adventure)

Boy Scouts of America — Setting the Main

A couple of weeks ago we had one of the most positive and exciting eco-adventure to date. The charter with Boy Scout troop 119 out of Virgina City, Iowa turned out to be a benchmark for a ultimate Boy Scout High Adventure.

So in our tradition of chronicling great events, it is only fitting to include this ultimate reef eco adventure.

Day One
We began our adventure at the dock in the historical seaport of Key West, Florida. After a quick briefing on Coast Guard required safety equipment, emergency procedures, and last but not least, operation of the ship’s bathroom we untied and set sail for the reef.

Soon we began the crew selection and gave out the deck assignments. In no time at all our crew quietly mastered the skills necessary for sailing a 53-foot sailboat safely through the often-challenging waters of the Florida Keys.

On the way out Captain Trish broke out the reef creature’s book and with five scouts hanging on every word told the story of our incredible coral reef ecology. She explained the delicate balance between plants and animals that allow the reef to be one of the most diverse and abundant eco-systems in all of nature. She pointed out the creatures they would surely see and explained what to do if we were lucking enough to encounter large predators. We were all left with a sense of wonder and anticipation and ready for our reef encounter.

Looe Key

Looe Key is approximately 21 miles east-southeast of Key West. What makes this reef so special are the pristine and thriving colonies of staghorn corals. These branching corals can stretch out up to 8 feet and latterly glow with beautiful green/gold hue of coralline alga. Talk about plants and animals working together.

Troop 119 proved to be willing and capable eco-scouts. It was not long before Michael got an up close and personal encounter with a rather large reef shark. Remembering his training he swan strong and healthy acting more like a fellow predator rather than potential prey. His picture sums up the encounter rather nicely.

Later Trish had a really close encounter with a rather toothy Moray Eel at Munson Rocks

SpottedMoraysmall — Trish,s Moray at Munson Rocks

Behind a nice northeasterly breeze with willing captain and competent crew, we plotted a course back to Key West. In what seemed like a long sunset we were safely anchored up in Man-O-War harbor enjoying a sunset diving contest.

StingRay City and Sharks at Sand
Key

Morning broke and we mustered up the crew for breakfast and prepared for what turned out to be an incredible eco-discovery day. A 7-mile voyage out to the wreck of the U.S.S. Amesbury, a WWII U.S. Navy destroyer, proved a bit more challenge then we were prepared for. Low water visibility and a reputation for large sharks proved to be A good enough deter even the most ardent eco-traveler. The only time I saw Trish swim faster was when she was being tailed by a 10-foot hammerhead off Duck Key in 1997.

Stingray City, Key West. Florida — One of the 32 Stingrays at Cottrell Key

Not willing to give up we motored to Cottrell Key where we encountered that largest gathering of stingrays we have ever seen. Matthew counted 32 in all with at least one good size Nurse Shark. Among a chorus of oh and ahh sounds we rounded up troop 119 and set out for Sand Key.

Sand Key proved to be a yet another extraordinary reef creature encounter. While snorkeling on the southeast side of the old light tower I suddenly looked up to see a 6-foot reef shark swimming straight at me. Trish was right there and between my attempts to yell “shark” through my snorkel and her quickness with the camera we got this guy his own posting on Facebook. We literally followed this guy for what seemed forever and managed to chronicle the whole event in video. You can check out the video on Facebook.

Not to be satisfied with just a shark encounter Trish found a Hawksbill turtle and with the same eagerness to record eco-encounters she again chronicled the event.

Hawksbill Turtle at Sand Key. Key West, Florida — Trish’s new freind

Upon our return to the boat, we witnessed what will always stand as the definitive “Ultimate Boy Scout High Adventure” moment, for there to greet us were five of the most excited and happy eco-adventures I have ever seen. I promise they looked like twirling dolphins spiraling through the clear blue waters of the Florida Keys.

Ultimate Key West Kayaking Adventure

Boy Scout High Adventure-Ultimate Eco-excursion

Manatees in the Mangroves

Hawksbill Turtles

Hermit Crab Discovery