FRIDAY MORNINGS ON THE FLATS

The mangrove tunnels are the part of this park nobody photographs from the road. Narrow, shaded, quiet enough that you hear the water moving under the roots, and completely different in character from the open flats two hundred yards away.

The tour

Guided paddles run Friday mornings at nine, alternating between Curry Hammock and Long Key, tide and weather permitting. The tide is the operative word. The tunnels need water in them, and the schedule bends around that rather than the other way round.

What to bring

Water, a hat, sun shirt, and shoes you do not mind getting wet. Leave anything you would be upset to drop. The Mangrove Tunnel Loop is about one point two miles, and the Deer Key Loop adds another one point three if you want a longer morning.

Call the ranger station at 305-289-2690 the day before to confirm the tide window and that the tour is running.