Is it too late to visit 10000 Islands?

[Joe A]

I had planned to sail the lower west coast of Florida in early March. The plan was to launch the boat from Pine Island and make my way down to Marco and then on to the 10000 islands in the everglades. Of course life got in the way and now it will be mid April when I get there. I have read posts here that caution about the everglades at any time other than winter but I don't have any clue what to expect. I'd like to hear from people with experience about the mosquitoes. Should I save 10000 islands for another trip since I'm running late, or is there a chance that it will still be OK there in mid April?

 

[MrBill_FLL]

bugs! its a great area, and worth the trip. but you will NEED serious bug protection. and not just from mosquitoes. those I can deal with. its the sand fleas! you must have the netting in place well before the wind dies. (before dusk and sun up). the sand fleas are smaller than mosquitoes so a special super fine netting is better, but I've gotten away with the normal size. or, anchor off shore in 10' of water. carry some skin-so-soft or other baby oil just in case. that will let you survive if they get in. they also like the ceilings for some reason. you'll see them at night on the hatch insides. I would try the area around tiger/picnic or turkey key. if they are not bad continue on. it has just begun raining, so it won't be terrible. just bad. with planning you can do it.

 

[Sailm8]

We will be passing through in early May. We are leaving Thursday going south then east across lake O to Stuart and south to the Keys. We will be coast hopping our way back so the 10000 are on the itinerary. See you out there.

 

[Sumner]

We were there two years ago, also with a Mac 26S, in March and early April and had no bug problems after spending a month the previous year making a full cockpit bug enclosure.

We did have tons of mosquitoes the morning we left Little Shark River headed across Florida bay, but that was it. We did close the boat up before dark.

I'd imagine the bugs might be different each year as to when they start getting bad. We are in a boat yard by Port Charlotte and last night was the first real night of seeing mosquitoes here. It has been quite cool and just really turned hot.

Good luck and our trip report along with anchorages and their location is here...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/FL-spring-2011/Florida-2011-Spring-index.html

.... It is a beautiful area and...

.... we will go back for sure,

Sum

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[RECESS]

If are going to make No See Um screens, buy wedding veil material. It is super cheap per yard. Its mesh is small enough to hold out the sand fleas and still allow plenty of air to flow. I do not custom fit them to the hatches, I just make them round and sew rope to the edges so they are big enough to lay over the hatches. The rope adds enough weight so they do not get blown off and it creates a seal where it lays on the boat deck. I stow them all in a bag and pull them out and lay them over the hatches and companionway as needed.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

This is what I use. round travelers net about 12'... works well for skeeters, not so good for sand fleas.

Often what I find is, the wind dies around sunset, and then they make their attack.
-But the wind usually picks up later, so if you can button up, or, move out well away from shore, you can hold them off. and you won't get eaten alive. and since if there's no wind, its usually flat seas. once you've experienced sand fleas, you really try to avoid them in the future!


Its an amazing unspoiled area full of wildlife... in the winter its full of migratory birds. and porpoise breeding.