Alligator Creek overnight

[Michael Palozzola]

I am looking to get my feet wet for camping by kayak. I was looking at possibly doing this site but the comments I read on Everglades Diaries about many gators and crocs present makes me hesitant. I was wondering possibly a stupid question. How do you keep the gators away from the site at night safely?

[Swamp Hunter]

Im thinking that you would be safe inside a tent. I have heard stories of campers being bothered sleeping in the open at waters edge.  Back in the day, we used to sleep in the open with sleeping bag only but not at waters edge.  I feel safe inside a tent from gators. It would seem they hunt more by shape than smell but Im just guessing.

[Swamp Hunter]

I dont know if this helps but I was attacked from underwater. I think any serious water attack will come from under the surface. This particular gator propelled himself out of the water, mouth open at my head. For some reason he changed his mind in mid-air. I would think that to look big will help. Im a tall guy and I can only assume he was expecting a smaller mammal. A surfaced gator is probably not planning a sneak attack. He is probably looking for a snack or being territorial. Like I said, you will not see the one that gets you.

[Kim Gass]

Well that sounds so inviting.. No potty and slick marl mud..

[Sarah Orman]

What exactly is marl mud? We were thinking about camping here next week (it was recommended to us), but now you all have me nervous. We were hoping for Alligator Creek the first night and Shark Point Chickee the next.

[vivian]

I don't want to discourage you but how about a trip route that is a bit more inviting than alligator creek for your first everglades experience? As said, the paddle there is beautiful but if you have no experience and are even remotely afraid of gators and crocs...this would not be my first choice.

[Sarah Orman]

I have plenty of canoe experience, just not in Florida. I would say I have a healthy fear of alligators, but I definitely want to see some. That is one of my prime motivators for this trip. As far as mosquitoes, we have a few up here in the northwoods too. Is Alligator Creek really bad in the winter as well as the summer? We have bug suits and spray, so we can take it if it's not ridiculous.

[Bob Bonnen]

Sarah - marl is just a very fine grey mud and it sticks to your shoes and everything else. I posted a photo of a big croc at the Alligator Creek campsite and it is on page one of this thread. The croc is sitting on the marl so you can see what it looks like. I would agree with Vivian - it's a beautiful paddle but not the most comfortable place to camp with all the mud. Shark Point chickee is only three more miles so if you wanted you could explore Alligator Creek and camp Shark point chickee. To the immediate north of the mouth of Alligator Creek in Garfield bight there are usually many, many birds. Ducks, all kinds of herons and egrets, pelicans, spoonbills, stilts, pipers gulls. It's incredible so be sure to check it out. Watch the water depth there and tide direction though as it's very shallow. Will you start at Flamingo or West Lake? The tide is also an issue on the flats of Snake Bight between Garfield and Flamingo.

[Swamp Hunter]

A problem with alligators is very very rare. I hope I havent scared you Sarah. Im sure you will see them.

[daniel]

also, when thinking about water levels back there in the bights, especially this time of year, be sure to consider the wind. it'll blow water out of those bights quick... and keep it out. 

[Sarah Orman]

It will probably depend on which permit we get for which night. I want to be traveling during which hours surrounding high tide? While it's getting higher? And what about wind direction. Which way do I want it to blow? Or not blow at all? (These are things we don't have to consider in the lakes up north!)

[daniel]

if you look at a chart, you will see that the three main bights are at the top (northern part) of florida bay. and florida bay is very shallow... the bights are particularly shallow. when the wind blows out of the north/nw/ne, the water literally blows out of places... of course, those are the prevailing winds in winter. and water levels in the everglades are less in winter (our dry season). also, the further east and north you go from the gulf and before you get to the ocean, the less tide is a factor... the tides are small anyway, and in the middle of the bay tide is not a big deal typically. i would pay more attention to wind than to tide in winter up in the bights. 

[vivian]

From my experience camping and hiking up in the north woods, the mosquitos here are smaller and faster so are more annoying than the mosquitos up north. What is really even worse than the mosquitos are the no see ums. Make sure your tent and your headnet is made of fine no see um netting not just mosquito netting. I'll bet shark point chickee will have plenty of no see ums at low water conditions.

Bobs idea of camping at the chickee and passing by alligator creek campsite is a great option. Your extra day can be used to explore an overnight to hells bay or pearl bay chickee.