Simpsons Creek

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Put In : Varies : Alimacani, Ribault or A1A Length : 3-6 hours (longer if you want to spend time in the sound) Difficulty : Moderate Nature Stuff : Herons, Pelicans, Manatees, Otters, Dolphins, Bald Eagles and Ospreys PWC Factor : High This is another one of my favorite runs and is one of the most interesting and challenging. Depending on where I put-in and where I take-out it is also one of the longest runs that I do. I usually make this an all day event and spend a couple of hours swimming, exploring or just "vegging out" on the Nassau Sound. There are a couple of places to put in and the run varies only in how far you want to go. Most of the kayak outfitters put-in behind Alimacani Fish camp and paddle down Ft. George River to the mouth of Simpson's Creek and take out at the boat ramp on A1A. Normally, I put-in at the A1A boat ramp and paddle from there to the Nassau Sound. When I'm feeling really adventurous, I'll put-in behind the Ribault Club and paddle all of the way to Nassau Sound and then, if the tide is right, come back up Myrtle Creek and return to Ft. George River. Note: the FDOT has recently tried to close the A1A boat ramp but all they were successful in doing was to prevent people from driving down to the water. You can still park by the road and drag your boat down to the water. Its a pain in the ass but well worth it. The run from the mouth at Ft. George River to A1A is about an hour and I rarely take it. It winds around in the marsh between Big Talbot Island and Long Island. One of the interesting features is a chain of islands called "Coon Keys" that is located where Simpson's Creek and Myrtle Creek split. The largest of these islands is great place to camp and has been used frequently. Once you get beyond A1A, the creek winds around a lot and I find myself "counting the turns" as I go along. Depending on how you keep track there are at least eight. Probably the most interesting feature comes just before you get to the sound - a place called "Half Moon Bluff". It's a sandstone and clay bluff about 20 feet high that curves around one of the last bends of the creek. It's a great place to get out and stretch the legs. It's also the location of my first encounter with an otter. As you approach the Nassau Sound, where Myrtle creek rejoins Simpsons, there is another interesting place to explore. At the very end of Long Island, there is a canopy of trees located on the very NE tip where it has been cleared out and is a great place to camp. The best way to access it is to go up Myrtle a short ways and enter the canopy from the east side. As you continue on  out into the Nassau Sound, you have several choices where to go. The water normally is relatively calm in the sound due to the sandbars that tend to break up the surf. The swells can sometimes get quite large, however, so you should exercise caution. If the weather permits, those sandbars are a great place to go. One of the larger ones is called "Bird Island" and is located to the north of the entrance to Simpsons Creek. It has a fair amount if permanent vegetation and is designated as a protected nesting area. The other sandbar is located directly to the east of the entrance to Simpsons and has gradually become an extension to the beach on Little Talbot Island. It's a great place to beach the boat and spend the day walking, swimming, and beachcombing. Another area to explore is to the west along Big Talbot Island. There is a huge colony of Gopher Tortoises located at the base of the sandy bluffs. There is also an un-named stream that meanders a short distance along the S.E. edge of Big Talbot. You have to be cautious about exploring Big Talbot. For the most part, there is not much surf on Talbot but there can be in certain areas and that can make beaching your boat and getting back out a little hairy. Simpsons is fairly protected from the strong off shore winds because of it's location between the islands. The two ends - at Ft. George and at the Nassau Sound can be quite different as you are pretty much out in the open. The current can be pretty strong as well, especially at either end. It's not a bad idea to plan a trip here to go and return with the tide. I've bucked it both ways and it's doable but after a long day of paddling it can be a chore paddling against the current. Simpsons Creek has always been a popular place for fishermen and PWC's. It is also rapidly becoming a popular place for kayakers and other paddlers. In other words, it's getting crowded out there and although it's a big stream, you should be aware of the traffic. It's a fun place to go and if you have the time to spend a whole day it's well worth it. To see the photo galleries associated with my trips to Simpsons Creek and the links to the journal entries click here. DISCLAIMER :  This web site is my own personal web site and does not express the opinions or views of any other person or organization. Use the information contained herein at your own risk. I do not attempt to represent myself as an expert in the matters of paddling or the outdoors. Note : There are many references to areas where I have noted as pleasant and inviting places to either picnic, camp or otherwise enjoy. Be aware that you do so at your own risk and any violation of trespass laws you do so at your own discretion. Please be respectful of both the environment and other people's property. Note : I find it really sad that I have to even include a statement like this!