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Visiting Cumberland Island is an out-of-the-ordinary experience regardless of how you receive there; but kayaking to Cumberland Island is one of the most exciting and spectacular way to savor this jewel of a barrier island. Though kayaking to Cumberland Island is not really a trip for novices, experienced kayakers with self-rescue skills needs to have no issue crossing the Cumberland Sound or Intracoastal Waterway and making their in the past from each day on the island. Here really are a few day-trips for experienced kayakers who wish to spend each day on Cumberland Island, but don't wish to take the ferry. www.the8cumberland.ca

From Crooked River State park to Plum Orchard on Cumberland Island: Put-in at the Crooked River State Park boat ramp at high-tide, or at least before the center of the out-going tide - about 3-hours after high tide. You is likely to be heading East with a quite strong out-flowing current taking one to Cumberland Island. Only a little more than a mile from the put-in, the Crooked River makes a not exactly 90-degree turn to the Southeast and then back again to the East after about another mile. After the turn to the Southeast, stay over the left side and look for the big left turn. As you continue out the Crooked River, you will be heading East toward the tree line on Cumberland Island and will soon be able to begin to see the white-structures at Plum Orchard.

The trip from Crooked River State Park over to Plum Orchard is approximately 6-miles and should take less than 2-hours. Ideally, you must look for an earlier enough high tide to obtain one to the island and give you sufficient time for sightseeing before needing to head back. You certainly want to be back at Crooked River by high tide - or by dark if high tide is after dark. Keep in mind that even strong, experienced paddlers may find it impossible to help make the trip against the strong tidal currents in the Crooked River.his comment is here

From St. Mary's to the entrance of Beach Creek: Put-in at the boat ramp at the St. Marys waterfront at or after high tide to create this 4-mile trip out the St. Marys River and throughout the Cumberland Sound to the location close to the entrance to Beach Creek. The outgoing tidal currents in the Cumberland Sound is likely to be pushing you toward Amelia Island and the Atlantic Ocean, so it is additionally vital to monitor your ferry angle as you cross the Sound. Beachcombing with this part of Cumberland Island usually produces pocketfuls of shark teeth and frequent wild horse sightings. There is no navigation to the trip; you need to the falling tide from the St. Marys River and cross the Cumberland Sound to attain Cumberland Island. Enjoy Cumberland until after low-tide and then take the incoming tide, or flood tide, back again to St. Marys. This trip should take about one hour to one hour and a half each way according to winds and paddling speed.

From Amelia Island to the South end of Cumberland Island: The shortest, but many treacherous trip to Cumberland Island is from the boat ramp at the north end of Amelia Island straight across to the south tip of Cumberland. This route crosses the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and the Cumberland Sound in an area with abundant, heavy boat traffic, so safety and focus on details is important. The crossing itself is less when compared to a mile; but this is a mile of potentially BIG, scary water. Go to Cumberland Island on an incoming tide and go back to Amelia Island on an outgoing tide. Two important factors to keep in mind are: First, that there are extremely swift currents in this area of the Cumberland Sound and ICW; and, second, the wind and weather will change while you're on the island - making surface conditions for the return trip unpredictable. That is not really a vacation for novices and self-rescue skills really are a must.

Prior to going, call an area outfitter and check tide times and wind and weather forecasts. Also, ensure you have plenty of drinking water and something to eat in addition to having appropriate gear and clothing for the trip. The majority of the year, sunscreen and insect repellant top the listing of items to remember for the trip. There is a $4.00 fee for landing on Cumberland Island which may be paid at the Cumberland Island National Seashore Headquarters in St. Marys, or at one of many honor boxes situated on the island. With slightly preparation, a day-trip to Cumberland Island will be a lot of adventure and fun for a very good price!

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