This is our Gateway kayak eco tour. Most of our Terra Ceia Bay tours begin with a trip through Mill's creek. It is the shortest and best wind protected way to paddle to Terra Ceia Bay from our dock. There are some great fishing opportunities along the way as well as a lone Osprey usually fishing on the North side of the creek.
You can find a few interconnected small lakes along the way, giving you the first opportunity to go through a mangrove tunnel. (see right photo) Look to the East as you paddle North into the small bay about 150 yards beyond the large marker at the entrance of Tarpon Canal. (see photo below) This marker is very important... You must paddle past it to make any of our outlined kayak eco tours.
Mill's Creek is named after a long time Snead Island resident who discovered the creek many years ago.
Mill's creek is very easy to find, continue paddling North from Tarpon Canal all they way until you can't seem to go farther. To the right there is a small opening through the mangroves. Mill' creek is small maybe 100 yards. A nice shady spot to take relax a second or so.
Champlain Bayou and Mill's Creek
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Kayaking towards Mill's Creek |
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At the corner of Tarpon canal is a palm we call "the knee tree". It marks the entrance to Tarpon Canal and the way back to the dock. If you plan on kayaking here, REMEMBER THIS PLACE It is the way home! If you launch a Kayak from our dock, you must paddle by this tree. As you exit Tarpon canal: Champlain Bayou is East ...and to the right of the knee tree. Mill's Creek is North ...straight ahead of the knee tree. Clambar Bayou, Emerson Point and Tampa Bay is left and West. The school of fish pictured below were caught as they were just about to enter Mill's Creek from the north at high tide. Now, Do you think the one way out front is the leader ...or is he really being chased?
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