Precision driving in the mangrove tunnel maze

View from the cockpit of a Wavewalk S4 microskiff

By Captain Larry Jarboe

Key Largo

Only an S4 is capable of negotiating these passages at this speed. But, I can take a wrong turn or two, too.

 

 

More Wavewalk adventures with Capn’ Larry »

 

NOTE FROM THIS BLOG’S EDITOR

DON’T TRY THIS YOURSELF BECAUSE IT’S HAZARDOUS – THERE IS NO ROOM FOR ERROR IN THOSE TIGHT AND WINDING MANGROVE TUNNELS, AND BUMPING INTO A MANGROVE TREE OR BRANCH CAN RESULT IN SEVERE INJURIES, AND DROWNING.

Captain Larry Jarboe is a Master Captain and seasoned fishing guide who drives through mangrove tunnels on a daily basis. His professional skill level is the result of years of studies and practical experience, and a lot of caution. As much as the S4 is a very responsive skiff, where it goes depends on the driver, and the last thing you want to happen is a mangrove branch hitting you in the face, or poking you in the eye. Such accidents do happen in these places, unfortunately.

Please be watchful and very careful when driving through any kind of vegetation, and even near vegetation. A tree limb protruding from the river bank, and even a sunken tree trunk or a tree stump can be dangerous, and cause an accident.

6 thoughts on “Precision driving in the mangrove tunnel maze”

  1. 😀

    Thanks Larry, this movie is exhilarating!
    This is exactly what I’d like to do this morning, instead of sitting my office 🙂

    Just a thought: Goggles to protect the eyes from a tree limb that escaped the driver’s watchful eye…

    Yoav

  2. Yoav,

    My daily dress code includes a pair of wrap around polarized sunglasses distributed by Flying Fisherman in Tavernier.

    They not only protect the eyes. They double as manatee X-ray goggles for my eco-tours on behalf of Capt. Sterling’s Everglades Tours.

    During low tide, I run the mangrove creeks and tunnels. At high tide, close along the Atlantic shoreline is fair game. I found an abandoned boat yesterday with the S4 but did not tow it home due to potential repercussions (like being cussed out by my wife, again).

    Larry J.

  3. Well, sunglasses sounds better than nothing 😀

    Yoav

  4. Wow….that’s pretty awesome, Larry. I’m guessing you maneuvered through those tunnels at slow speed a few times to get the “lay of the land” before flooring it.

  5. I did a few mangrove tunnels following Larry, both paddling and driving, and it’s incredible fun.
    Knowing the tunnels helps, I guess.
    The only time I did it by myself, I took a wrong turn, got a bit lost in the mangrove maze, and arrived at Larry’s place later than I was expected to. My excuse was: -“I’m just a tourist!” 😀

  6. What a fun time, exploring and driving through those mangroves.

    I’d get lost for sure. 🙂

    Thanks for the Great Video Captain Larry.

    Tight Lines and MoPaddle Safe All.
    Rox

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