WaterTribe^TM Everglades Challenge (EC)

Tampa Bay To Key Largo In Sea Kayaks, Canoes and Small Boats

The next Everglades Challenge is  Saturday, March 7, 2026. There is registration and equipment inspection on Friday, March 6, 2026, prior to starting.  Cost is $495.00  for the captain and $495.00 for crew members if any.

Billing starts  Thursday, January 1, 2026
The Registration and Payment Deadline is  Friday, January 23, 2026 at noon.

Due to the exteme commitment for this race late registration and/or late payments will not be allowed. We recommend that you commit to this race early so you have plenty of time for planning, training, and preparation. Pay early in the payment cycle. You can get a full refund up to the Payment Deadline. No refunds after that date and time.

All WaterTribe events are dangerous events as defined by Florida law and common sense. You are responsible for your own safety. You must read and understand the warning before you register for this event.

The Everglades Challenge is an unsupported, expedition style adventure race for kayaks, canoes, and small boats. The distance is roughly 300 nautical miles depending on your course selection. There is a time limit of 8 days or less. Your safety and well being are completely up to you.

Unsupported means that there are no safety boats or support crews to help you during the race. You are not allowed to have a support crew follow you or meet you during the race. It is OK to have family or friends meet you at the official checkpoints, but they cannot provide anything other than emotional support. See the official WaterTribe rules for more details.

Expedition style means that you must carry the same type of equipment and supplies that you would carry on a major expedition lasting 4 weeks or more. Camping equipment, food, water, safety, communication, etc. is required. See the Rules and Warning link at the top of this page for the official required equipment list for more details.

Although this is a race, many participants are more interesting in cruising and adventure. Whether you are a cruiser or racer is up to you. Just getting to the starting line is a major accomplishment and only about 40% of starters are able to finish. You should be an expert kayaker and/or sailor before you consider this challenge.

SPECIAL NOTE 1:  You can earn an alligator tooth award by completing the entire Everglades Wilderness Waterway between Chokoloskee and Flamingo. There are specific rules for earning that tooth:

• You must obey all Everglades National Park rules.
• SPOT/inReach must be correctly used at all times.
• You must complete the entire WW as shown on their official maps. You can exit at Broad River and return via Broad Creek. Using the Harney River from the outside is not allowed.
• The Nightmare is an option. Some people say that taking the Nightmare is easier than negotiating Broad Creek from the entrance. The choice is yours.
• Once you have reached Whitewater Bay you may follow the marked route or take the Joe River or any other route to cross the bay and enter Tarpon Creek and the Buttonwood Canal.
• In some years challengers have taken the Hells Bay Canoe Trail to Tarpon Creek. Since this is marked on the official map, it is also OK.
• You must portage your boat a short distance between the fresh water side and the salt water side at Flamingo. You cannot receive assistance from the Race Manager, CP Captain, or bystanders. Challengers participating in the event may assist other challengers (see the note below).

SPECIAL NOTE 2: In some previous years we have provided a boat cart or other assistance for the short portage at Flamingo. As of EC2011 and beyond a boat cart will not be provided and all challengers crossing from the fresh water side to the salt water side must do this short portage without outside assistance. No cart will be provided. You must carry your own if you plan to use one. If bystanders want to help they cannot. However, other WaterTribers who are in the same event can help - see the ad hoc team rule.

The Everglades Challenge follows the SW Florida coast line from Fort Desoto in Tampa Bay, Florida to Key Largo. You will enter Everglades National Park near Everglades City and you will be within their boundries until you get near Key Largo.  You must follow all park rules and regulations.

Note that the WaterTribe Marathon runs concurrently with the Everglades Challenge.  The schedule mentions both races.

Start - Fort De Soto Park, Tampa Bay, Florida

There are three events starting at the same time in Fort De Soto Park located on Mullet Key in Tampa Bay, Florida.  These events are the Everglades Challenge, the Ultra Marathon, and the Ultimate Florida Challenge. Pavilions 13, 14, and 15 are reserved for all day Friday.  Pavilion 14 will be our main registration and meeting place. We reserve the other two pavilians so that we have full access to the parking lot. Boats may assemble on East Beach facing south adjacent to shelters.   All boats should be left on the beach above the high water mark Friday night. A guard will be posted.  

The Pavilion 14 is at East Beach on the eastern leg of Mullet Key facing south.  There is a very nice beach perfect for launching boats.   This year and going forward, there is no road access to the beach. You must transport your kayak, canoe, or small sailboat by hand from the parking lot to the beach. If you cannot do that, you can sail around and pull your boat up onto the beach, but there are special rules regarding this. These rules will be published soon.

New Launch Procedure

Here's the BLUF:

• No road access to the beach. This applies to all Pinellas County Parks. They are protecting beach grasses and beach plants. WaterTribe fully supports this endeavor.
• All boats in Classes 1, 2, and 3 must be transported from the parking lot to the beach by hand. Boats may be carried or pulled by hand on a portage cart. Balloon tires are strongly recommended for this job. All other boats in Classes 4, 5, and 6 can use this method when possible.
• Boats in Classes 4, 5, and 6 can access the beach via water if necessary. There are some special rules defined in the upcoming PDF.

Note that this is a work in process and some details could change over the next couple of weeks. The above information will be updated as necessary and a PDF with full details will be published when everything if finalized.

Camping on Mullet Key at Fort De Soto

There is a very nice campground on Mullet Key.  

• Sites 1-85 are designed for tent, van, and pop-up campers.

• Sites 86-233 are designed and equipped to accommodate all camping units

• All sites have water, electrical hookup ( 30 amps), picnic table, and a charcoal grill

• Dump stations, restrooms, showers, and laundry are available

• Many sites are waterfront with room for your kayak or boat in your camp site.

Reservation is VERY limited.  Reserve your site as early as possible.  Google Fort De Soto park for reservation information.

EC CP1 and UM Finish - Cape Haze Marina, Englewood, Florida

Cape Haze Marina is the first checkpoint for the Everglades Challenge and the finish for the Ultra Marathon.

Roughly 60 miles along the coast from Tampa Bay you will come to Stump Pass which feeds into the Intracoastal Waterway. The Cape Haze Marina checkpoint is located a couple miles south of Stump Pass on your port side.

Finding Cape Haze Marina

Near Intracoastal Waterway Markers Red "8" and Green "9" there are private channel markers into Cape Haze Marina on your port side as you are heading south. After entering the Marina, turn right just after the first set of docks. Turn left at the sea wall and proceed to the floating dock next to the rock sea wall. Note: If your Class 4, 5, or 6 boat is too large or too difficult to get into the Marina, then it is not a suitable Everglades Challenge boat. Violation of this rule results in a DQ.

• Cape Haze Entrance
  Lat 26.875422°
  Lon -82.314172°
• Cape Haze Dock
  Lat 26.874206°
  Lon -82.312763°
• CP1Beach001 - See SMALL BEACH LANDING BELOW
  Lat 26.87348°
  Lon 82.31439°
• CP1Beach002 - Trail Head to CP1 - See SMALL BEACH LANDING BELOW
  Lat 26.87363°
  Lon 82.31445°

SMALL BEACH LANDING - The beach landing is for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, Hobie AIs, and Hobie TIs only. All other boats must go into the Marina docks. Class 3 boats and Hobies MUST retract or take off their amas and akas. Also, if you will be at CP1 longer than 30 minutes, you must move your boat up to the grassy area at CP1. These rules are intentional filters.

The beach landing is located near marker Red 8. As you are heading south, turn left just after passing Red 8 and you can't miss the beach landing. The landing and trail to CP1 are near an apartment building so BE QUIET when you land or launch.

Beach Landing

Cape Haze Marina Overview

Slips shown in the Overview are GONE for now.

Floating Dock for Check-In

Resupply is available at the Cape Haze Convenience Store, which is located at the end of the Marina driveway. Their hours are 6am-7pm on Saturdays and 7am-5pm on Sundays. There are also grocery stores within a couple of miles from the Marina. Fresh hose water is available at the Marina, but you might want to filter for taste. Bottled water, sodas, and snacks are available at the bait shop during Marina business hours.

Restrooms are available in the Marina store. See a check-point captain for access afterhours.

Camping is not permitted at CP1 except those finishing the Ultra Marathon or in an emergency situation.

Vehicle parking is available in the lot behind the dry boat storage building. There is also trailer parking for a fee. Please contact the Marina to make arrangements for trailer parking.

CP2 - Chokoloskee, Everglades National Park, Florida

Roughly 70 miles along the coast from Cayo Costa you will come to Indian Key Pass. The mangrove channel that leads to the fabled Everglades City then on to the checkpoint in Chokoloskee.

Finding CP2 Physical Check In Station

25° 49.08' N or 25.8180°
81° 21.57' W or -81.3595°

CP2 is located at the Outdoor Resorts of America located at the entrance to Chokoloskee Island. You will land on the beach on the west side of the causeway. The orange sign-in box will be across the street near the fish cleaning station unless a volunteer checkpoint captain directs you otherwise.

The Outdoor Resorts of Chokoloskee offers a small convenience store. Store hours are 6:30am-6:00pm. If you have friends or family meeting you at the CP, motel rooms may be availableby calling 239-695-2881. Recommend they reserve sooner rather than later.

Tent camping is permitted on the small landing beach, but we recommend camping before or after the CP. It is a very busy area, but if you need to rest, you may do so.

Indian Key Pass

Indian Key Pass is an entrance to the Tem Thousand Islands that is usable by kayaks, canoes, sailboats and motorized boats all day long almost every day. There are regularly large, motorized personal and tour boats that cruise these channels so watch out. Some have been known to run at night with no lights. If you must travel these channels at night, keep lots of lights going on your boat and keep a strong spot light handy.

Tide will be a factor. There are strong tidal currents throughout the labyrinth of water and mangroves that make up the Ten Thousand Islands. A huge amount of water flows through these channels, so current can be 2 to 3 knots or so. Expect as water levels drop or rise various sand/mud/oyster bars are exposed or covered.

If you use Indian Key Pass to enter Everglades City and Chokoloskee and then use Chokoloskee Pass to exit, you will minimize tide issues and the need for local knowledge. These two channels are wide enough and well marked so as to be considered "normal" navigation and difficulty.

Everglades National Park - Plan Ahead

When you reach Everglades City, you are about to enter the Everglades National Park.You must follow all park rules and regulations.

NOTE: You must get your permit online before you enter the park. If you haven't done this already, do it now. Camping permits must also be obtained online. Here is a list:

• Everglades Entrance Pass: https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74278
• Reserve Campsite: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675314
  Your starting point will be Gulf Coast
• Campsite Trip Planner: https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/wilderness-trip-planner.htm
• Wilerness Waterway Campsites: https://watertribe.com/PDF/Florida2026/WildernessWaterwayCampsites.pdf
• There is no guarantee that these links are still working. But you can try :)
• If you need assistance: 1-305-242-7700

If you don't get a camping permit, you are not supposed to camp. However, there is no rule that I know of that prevents you from stopping for a snack or a break. DO NOT camp without a permit.

Remember to practice the LEAVE NO TRACE principles during this race and especially while in the park. The Everglades National Park is a unique treasure that we must help preserve.

CP3 - Flamingo, Everglades National Park, Florida

Roughly 60 miles along the coast from Indian Key Pass you will come to Cape Sable. A few miles around the point and you will find Flamingo. This is the Southern campground in the Everglades Park. You're almost home free at this point. The nightmare of Everglades City is behind you and you can almost hear me partying in Key Largo.

Physical Check In Station

The Orange Lock Box containing your check in logs will be on the bench at the saltwater boat launch. Lock Combination is as follows: 3 - 1 - 4 Line up all the numbers on the black line. The same combination is used for all check points. IMPORTANT -- After you log in, you must lock the box. Be sure to hold the clasp into the lock and the SPIN the dial. If you do not spin the dial while holding in the clasp, the lock will be open. Check it before you leave.

Tide Is Still a Factor

Tide is always a factor in a small boat. The tide can be even more difficult here because there are so many factors that enter into it. Fresh water flow from the glades, Atlantic flow, Gulf flow, wind, pressure, channels. The area is very shallow. You really must get chart 33E.

Big Boats Are Everywhere

Even bigger boats are cruising these waters so watch out. Some of them run at night with no lights. If you must travel at night, keep lots of lights going on your boat and keep a strong spot light handy.

If You Drop Out

Since Flamingo is more off the beaten path from the other checkpoints, it is advised to have had a discussion with your shore contact about what the plan will be to pick you up if you need to drop out there. Also, please keep checkpoint captain volunteers updated so they know you are safe and can note the website that you have left the Challenge.

Amenities at Flamingo

• A well stocked convenience store is open daily from 7:00am-7:00pm
• Showers are available during store hours for $3. Payment is made in the store.
• A food truck will be available in March. Hours are 11am-4pm
• Challengers may lie down next to their boats in the grassy areas only. No tents, bivy sacks or hammocks may be deployed.
• 24 hour restrooms are available at the NPS visitor center, the fish cleaning station next to the backcountry boat ramps, and the campground bathhouses. The restrooms at the store are open from 7AM – 7PM
• Mooring a boat for longer than four hours will require payment of an overnight fee of $2 per foot.

Access for Family and Friends

Flamingo is located on the southern tip of the Florida mainland with highway and good road access. The entry fee is $30 per vehicle. Eco-tents as well as tent and RV camp sites are available by reservation. Please use the following link for availability and pricing:  Flamingo Adventures  There is a great 90 minute boat tour up Buttonwood Canal through Coot Bay and Tarpon Creek into Whitewater Bay narrated by experienced naturalist. Great hiking options in the area as well.

Finish - The Pelican Cottages, Key Largo, Florida

We will be ending the race at the Pelican Cottages in Key Largo. You may reserve a room by calling 305-451-1686. Do your family a favor and have them wait for you in Key Largo! Here is a link to some pictures: The Pelican Cottages

The award ceremony will be on Saturday about 10:30 AM. The Award Dinner will begin right after awards are handed out. This will be roughly noon give or take a half hour.

Activities in Key Largo include snorkeling, SCUBA diving, glass bottom boats, flats fishing, deep sea fishing, beaches, shopping, and more. There is plenty for your family to do while waiting for your arrival so book your room for the whole week in advance -- your family will thank you for it and you will be able to do this year after year.

Rooms are limited so reserve early. It's the place to be.