The First Trip In Our Kayak

This weekend we decided to take our new kayak on its maiden voyage.  Although we have kayaked before, we wanted our first trip to be at a location that was nearby, and free from motorboat traffic.  We decided on Cracker Creek in Port Orange, FL.

• Location Name: Cracker Creek Canoeing
• Address:  1795 Taylor Rd.  Port Orange, FL  32128
• Contact Phone: 386-304-0778
• Cost: $5.00 + tax to launch your own kayak.  Rentals are available.
• Other Details: Restrooms and Food available on site.

After a short drive up I-95 to the Port Orange exit, we traveled west 1.6 miles  and turned left into the facility.  There is a small brown sign on the right hand side of the road that tells you have reached the Old Pioneer settlement, where Cracker Creek is located.  Follow the winding driveway and park on the left, then enter the smaller building - the office - to pay your launch fee.  There are chickens and cats wandering around the parking area, so don't run them over!  After you pay your fee you can drive your vehicle down to the launch.  It is a narrow driveway so it takes a little skill to back down the incline.

Once in the water you have a choice of traveling either east or west.  We chose to go to the right (west) first and found a beautiful tree lined waterway with waterbirds like Great Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, and other assorted birds.  We didn't run into any alligators.  The western route is only about a mile or mile and a half, so we turned around and headed back in the other direction.  This time we ran across several other kayakers, but found the waterway to be wide enough to accommodate all.  The park gates close at 5:00, so we did not get to explore the eastern run as long as we wanted to, but we will definitely go back to Cracker Creek again.

Cracker Creek gets two paddles up from this kayaking couple.  We recommend it to all our readers.