CP1 - Grande Tours, Placida, Florida
Roughly 60 miles along the coast from Tampa Bay you will come to Boca Grande Pass
into Charlotte Harbor. The Grande Tours checkpoint is located a few miles north
of the pass at Placida, Florida adjacent to the inland waterway Placing the checkpoint
north of Boca Grande means that you will have a "safe haven" to wait out the weather
if the pass is dangerous. If you're not too tired and the conditions in the pass
are good, just check in, cross the pass, and camp at Cayo Costa. But if conditions
are bad or you are not in condition to continue, you will have a nice place to stay
and recover or wait for weather to clear.
Finding Grande Tours
Grande Tours is tucked just a bit out of the way from Intercoastal as you approach
the Boca Grande area. You will need your chart to interpret these directions. I'm
using Maptech Number 31 Edition 1.
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Click to get larger views.
Thanks SansSouci.
An aerial shot of Grande Tours. The always open railway bridge is shown. Looking
south. The swinging bridge is just out of the picture on the right side.
Contact and Operating Info:
Open 7 days 08:30 to 16:00;
Launch Fee $5;
Additional Parking $5 per day;
Bunk House $20 per day, 2 per room, has A/C, & hot showers;
Day use of showers at $5.
Note that during a challenge WaterTribe has full use of the restroom
facilities.
Grande Tours has kayaks for rent, eco tours, bikes, and nice pontoon boats that
make stable photography platforms.
Access to Grande Tours is easy. Just find Placida north of Boca Grande pass on a
Florida map and go there. They are very close to the corner of 775 and 771 on the
east side of 775.
Grande Tours
12575 Placida Road (775)
Placida, Florida 33946.
941-697-8825.
captmarian@grandetours.com
www.GrandeTours.com
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Thanks AndrewsCanoes
Here is another view showing the route in red.
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If you approach the area from the outside you will see the fixed bridge as you enter
Gasparilla Pass. Unfortunately there isn't a clearance gauge on the bridge pilings
so you will have to eyeball the clearance. Bird Key offers a beach that you can
use if you need to step your mast. Stay on the causeway side of Bird Key or shoals
will get you. Kayakers -- no problemo. You can also pass between Bird Key and the
causeway and go on down to the swinging bridge between Placida Harbor and Gasparilla
Sound. There are two clearance gauges here one for the lowest point of the bridge
(left side of southbound channel) and one for the highest point of the bridge (right
side of southbound channel). Note that the swinging bridge has a south bound channel
and a north bound channel. My sailing kayak would be able to scoot under the highest
part of the bridge at low tide but not at high tide. It all depends on mast height.
After you get by the bridges you have to pass through the old railway bridge. This
section is always open since the rail system isn't used any more.
Just after you pass through the railway cutout you will see two channels on your
left. Take the second channel. They aren't very far apart. The channel is off the
Intercoastal flashing red marker number "20". The channel leading to your
left will have markers "1 green" and "2 red" but remember, it's the SECOND channel
leading to the left. The first channel has the same numbers so it's easy to get
confused especially at night.
Follow the second channel almost to the marina that you see dead ahead but turn
left just before you enter the marina.
While paddling in using the second channel, keep looking left and you will immediately
see a low bridge. Vertical clearance is only about 6 to 8 feet. The distance between
the 771 bridge pilings is about 12 feet. Grande Tours has a couple of pontoon boats
that are 10 feet wide that go through all the time. Squeeze between the bridge pilings
and you will see another spur of railroad ending in the water. Go around the end
where there is a channel, but STAY CLOSE TO THE END OF THE RAILROAD BRIDGE. There
are some nasty pilings just under the water on the right side.
Now stay close to the left bank of mangroves. Not too close or you will run aground.
But not too far away either or you will run aground. the channel isn't marked but
stay 10 to 15 yards off the left bank and you should be OK. This whole area has
lots of oyster bars. Be careful if you have an inflatable or a pretty boat.
Grande Tours is less than 5 minutes from the railroad spur. Bear left always. If
you go to the right you will get lost.
From the Intercoastal after the swinging bridge it only takes 15 to 20 minutes to
get to Grande Tours, and I was lollygagging.
Fresh Water
Grande Tours has fresh water available. They also have an outdoor shower, restroom,
a bunkhouse, and a bivouac area.
Physical Check In Station
An ORANGE LOCKBOX will be located on the picnic tables next to the canoe
ramp at Grande Tours
In the ORANGE LOCKBOX you will find a logbook. You must sign the logbook
and fill out each section adjacent to your name.
Landing Waypoints for Grande Tours and Cayo Costa
The canoe landing at Grande Tours is on a deep water channel just around the corner
from the intercoastal waterway.
Lat/Lon Checkpoint 1
Grand Tours Kayak Landing
026° 50.13 N
082° 16.11 W
The lockbox is on a picnic table next to the landing.
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The outside north end of Cayo Costa has a nice beach that is usually easy to land
on. If the weather is contrary, you may also pull in on the inside of the island.
Lat/Lon of Cayo Costa
Beach Landing
026° 41.21 N
082° 15.54 W
This at the beach in front of the campground. Due to surf conditions you may have
to pick a different landing point. Just up the beach from this point you will find
the next position given below.
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Lat/Lon of Cayo Costa
Campground Trail
026° 41.21 N
082° 15.52 W
This point is standing on the beach just at the start of the trail leading into
the campground that passes right by the restroom.
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Accommodations at Grande Tours
There is plenty of room to pitch tents as needed.
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The canoe landing shows attention to detail. The bivouac area would be to the right
in this picture in front of the pontoon boats.
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Therestroom is on pilings. There is a wheelchair ramp that spirals to the balcony.
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After Grande Tours Checkpoint
Crossing Boca Grande and Cayo Costa Camping
Some challengers may want to leave noise and activity at CP1 and cover a few more
miles before camping at Cayo Costa. The following is for information only. There
are no checkpoints at Cayo Costa.
Tide Rips
There is a very strong tide into and out of Charlotte Harbor through Boca Grande
pass. If you are close to shore, be sure your ferry glide technique is perfect.
In some places I've been traveling backwards while paddling as if my life depended
on it. If you are a little outside, the current is not as strong but be advised.
Big Fish and Big Boats
Boca Grande Pass is famous for tarpon fishing. Stay well away from large groups
of boats that are fishing the pass. They don't give a darn about you and they have
a short temper. Also, watch for boats "drifting" through the pass. They are worse.
Also, watch for boats running the pass to get to the head of the drift line. They
are the worst. The bottom line is -- be careful. Many kayakers traverse this pass
all the time so I don't mean to be an alarmist. Just be alert.
Did I mention tide races and rough water?
Cayo Costa Ranger Station
If you decide to take the inside route, you can land at the ranger station. Note
that from any distance it is difficult to see the ranger station from a kayak. There
is usually a group of boats anchored between Cayo Costa and an adjacent mangrove
island called Punta Blanca Island. If you are paddling down the inside of Cayo Costa,
you can't miss it. There isn't apublic phone at Cayo Costa.
Lat/Lon of Cayo Costa
Ranger Station Dock
026° 41.16 N
082° 14.72 W
This point is standing on the dock in front of the ranger station.
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Lat/Lon of Cayo Costa
Ranger Station Landing for Kayaks and Canoes
026° 41.17 N
082° 14.76 W
From the ranger station dock look to your right and see a small inlet with a wooden
boardwalk/dock on the left side and mangroves on the right side. This is a short
inlet -- maybe 50 yards long. Just a bit before the inlet comes to a dead end look
on the right side for a small sign indicating the kayak and canoe landing.
After landing, follow the trail around to your left to get to the ranger station.
A little further and you will find a restroom. The wide road in front of the restroom
leads straight to the campground. Don't take any turns along the path at night or
you will get lost.
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If you land on the ranger station side, you will have to carry all your gear over
to the other side of the island for camping. There is a tram available but it only
runs a few times each day. In the 2001 Challenge some racers were allowed to bivouac
at the canoe landing, but don't count on it.
Fresh Water at Cayo Costa
Fresh water is available at Cayo Costa. In the campground on the beach side of the
restroom building you will find a shower. On the opposite side of the building you
will find a wash tub and a spigot. The water is fresh and potable. If you are particular
about taste, you might want to filter it.Many people clean fish in this area.
Be Quiet At Night
If you come in at night, be respectful of the other campers and the rangers. Be
as quiet as possible while setting up your camp. The other people in the campground
are looking for peace and quiet. If we disturb them, we may not get to use this
checkpoint in future events. But on the other hand don't expect all the campers
to be quiet for you. You may end up next to a bunch of party animals.
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