St. Martin Keys: This aera reminds me of paddling in the Florida Keys. The water is crystal Clear. There are small orange balls of coral and black sponges florishing here. I have seen many sting rays, sharks, pods of Bottlenose Dolphins and various birds.

Other Routes: Take your pick. I once did a loop with my husband James and a friend Matt Cario. We paddled from Homossa River, threaded our way through the Salt River to Crystal Bay, out to the Gulf of Mexico and back to the Homosassa River. It was about a 30 nautical mile paddle.
Salt marshes are neat to explore, but beware of your navigation.

Important Info:
There is a boat ramp at the end of Cherokee Way next to Mac Rae's. Park at parking lot at the southwest corner of Cherokee Way and S Blvd Dr. Parking is Free. There are bathrooms at Mac Rae's next to the boat ramp.the last time I checked they were free too. Please support Mac Rae's by buying food or a beveage at the tiki bar. The rooms are nice there too. Also, unload your kayak and gear off to the side. There is are a lot of power boats that use this sight.

While paddling this area, Be very careful of Oyster Beds while kayaking here, especially at low tide. I have sacrificed gel-coat to these oyster beds a few times while paddling carefully. Wear shoes with a hard sole if you get out of your kayak.

Outside of the Homosassa River, this area poses navigational challenges. The Homosassa River is well mark all the way out into Homosassa Bay. If you decided to paddling the salt marshes or even outside to the coast, bring a chart, compass and/or a GPS. Know how to use them, particularly chart and compass. A GPS can fail. I have paddle this area many times while living in Florida. During my last visit in June of 2009, I decided to paddle out to the St Martine Keys from the Little Homosassa River. Though I had had my chart and compass and paddle this route a few times before I made an area somewhere and ended up snaking my way through a labyrinth of saw grass islets back to the Homosassa River.

Directions:
North bound From US 19, turn left on West Bradshaw Blvd. Bradshaw Blvd runs into West Yulee Dr. South bound turn right on Yulee Dr. At Fishbowl Dr, make sure you keep left onto Yulee Dr. If you pass the historic Yulee Sugar Mill on your right, you are head in the right direction. Make time to check out the Sugar mill. It is interesting to see. From Yulee Dr, turn Right on Cherokee Way. It is two blocks to the boat ramp.



Distances:
From Boat Ramp at Mac Rae's to Homosassa Bay: aproximately 5 nautical miles
From Boat Ramp at Mac Rae's to St Martin Keys: aproximately 7 nautical miles
Round Trip to St Martin Keys: approx. 16 to 20 nautical miles. Depends on how much poking aound you do.
It is a long trip but well worth it if you can paddle long distances and be prepared for things that can come up during a long trip.



Disclaimer: I can not be responsible if you get lost, hurt or killed if you decided to venture out here or any area using my information. I share this information so that I can help enhance other individual that wish to explore and experience that natural beauty that I have been fortunate to experience. Take all the necessary precautions when doing any kind of outdoor excursion.

Before doing a trip:
• Research the area you venture off into.
• Check Weather, Tides and currents for that area.
• Take stock in your skills and equipment for the type of venture your pursuing.

Things to bring:
• Water
• Food
• Sun Protection
• Knife or shears
• Compass, Chart or GPS
• First Aid Kit
• Kayak Repair Kit
• Shoes and extra clothes
• A good additude

Kayakers are really good about leaving no traces, but please lets go a step further and try to pick up any trash we see in the area. Homosassa Bay and the surrounding nature coast is pretty clean and pristine.from what I seen. I have ran into fishing line in the mangroves on many trips through Florida. Please brings knife or shears and remove it while you're on your outings. Birds can entangle themselves and die quit horrible. They have it tough enough without our help. Also sea turtles mistaken plastic bags for their favorite food, jelly fishes. Sea turtles have died from swallowing plastic bags.
Thanks and enjoy the outdoors
Sonya