I’ve been paddling for three years now. What started out as a terrifying sport I was trying out because my hubby wanted to give it a shot has now become one of my favorite ways to experience Florida. With countless paddles under my belt, I have started to go back and visit some of my favorites. Today, I’m going to share one of those places.
Out in New Smyrna Beach, tucked along the intracoastal Indian River, is Callalisa Creek. It’s a tidal waterway with mangrove channels and marine wildlife. The launch point is in Callalisa Creek Park, just down the road from a Starbucks and across the street from Norwood’s Restaurant & Treehouse Bar. Once on the water though, you will only see wild and raw Florida. You’ll still hear the sounds of cars and civilization, but your eyes will only see nature.
This blog post is sponsored by Niphean.
Table of Contents
- So Why Do I Keep Coming Back?
- So Much Wildlife
- Mangroves, Mangroves, Mangroves
- Oyster Beds vs. Inflatable Paddleboards and Kayaks
- No Crazy Boating
- Empty Bladders Only
- So Much Sun
- Can You See Why I Love Callalisa Creek?
- Related Posts
So Why Do I Keep Coming Back?
The very first time I paddled, it was with a knowledgeable guide. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to afford to hire a guide every time I went out and I was still nervous about where to go. I reached out to the guide and asked her where she suggested I try and she recommended Callalisa Creek.
The first few times I went, I was really nervous. I had to get off my board because the water levels were so low that it got stuck. I just gotta say that in my early paddle days, nothing would rattle me quite as much as having to get off my board for any reason. I would get dizzy seeing how the water moved while I tried to unstick my board. It would send my anxiety soaring.
I’m happy to say that all that anxiety is now gone (thank you Jesus, literally!), and Callalisa Creek has become my comfort paddle. I love how easy it is to just load up the boards and go. On our most recent paddle at Callalisa, I brought along my new Niphean 10’6″ Inflatable Paddle Board.
Something I love about Callalisa Creek is that there are no reservations, making it perfect for a spontaneous paddle any day of the week. I never have to worry that too many people will be there or that it’s a Saturday and everyone will be boating. It’s just not that kind of place.
So Much Wildlife
Callalisa Creek and its mangroves are untouched and wild. This means lots and lots of wildlife. Callalisa Creek is also connected to the Atlantic via the Indian River, so marine life abounds here.
We have seen:
- Manatees
- Dolphins
- Sea turtles
- Raccoons (I even saw one swimming across the creek!)
- Pelicans
- Roseate Spoonbills
- Ospreys
- White ibis
- Great egrets
- Belted kingfishers
- Crabs
- Oysters
- Puffer fish
- Snowy egrets
- Great blue herons
Mangroves, Mangroves, Mangroves
Ok, so being excited about mangroves is kind of a nerdy thing, I’ll admit that, but did you know that there are three different kinds at Callalisa Creek? Oh and all those crabs I’ve seen on our paddles, yeah, they are crawling all over these mangroves.
The mangroves are also where those racoons are roaming as they search for food. And the mangroves are where all the birds are perching.
Ok, back to the different kinds of mangroves.
The ones that are most visible from the water are the red mangroves. They aren’t actually red in color, but you can identify them because the roots support the mangroves, acting like stilts with the branches and leaves above the root system. To be honest, they look like a tangle of roots.
Then there are the black mangroves, my favorites. I love them because they excrete salt onto their leaves! How cool is that? Black mangroves have roots that look like pencils sticking up out of the ground.
Lastly, there are the white mangroves that look more like “regular” trees. You can’t see their root systems, and they are found a bit further upland than the red and black mangroves.
Oyster Beds vs. Inflatable Paddleboards and Kayaks
At low tide, oyster beds are exposed along the edges of Callalisa Creek and the mangrove channels around the creek.
Although inflatable paddleboards and kayaks are made from thick, rugged, and durable material, they could get damaged by the sharp oyster shells, especially the more the inflatables make contact with them.
I recommend avoiding oysters when possible.
Nevertheless, I have been out there several times with inflatables without any issues, and it was no different with the Niphean 10’6″ Inflatable Paddle Board.
No Crazy Boating
Callalisa Creek is a calm place to explore. The only motorized boats you’ll find out there are small, mostly fishing boats. You will probably be undisturbed, or you might see one fishing boat and other kayakers and paddleboarders.
This is part of the appeal of Callalisa Creek. I don’t have to worry about avoiding speeding boats or large vessels. It’s just me out there with family and friends, mangroves, and wildlife. The perfect way to paddle.
Empty Bladders Only
So one of the negatives about paddling out at Callalisa Creek is that there are zero facilities. It’s typical while you are out paddling for there not to be any places other than natural ones, but there’s not even a portapotty at Callalisa Park (the launch site).
So your only options are to use the restroom at one of the nearby businesses, hold it, or hop in the water real quick to go. The thing to remember is that you can rarely see into the water at Callalisa, so…it’s not really a swim area. Jumping in is not always enjoyable. But if you gotta go, it is an option.
So Much Sun
As much as I love Callalisa, there is a lot of sun exposure out there. Even in the mangrove canals, the mangroves don’t provide shade.
So make sure that you have proper sun protection in the form of sunscreen or protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and polarized glasses.
When I go out, I typically wear a long-sleeved UPF-rated shirt, wide-brimmed hat, and polarized glasses. Sometimes I wear leggings as well. I’m terrible with reapplying sunscreen, so protective clothing works best for me.
Can You See Why I Love Callalisa Creek?
I hope you can see why I love Callalisa Creek so much and why I keep coming back. It really is a fantastic and beautiful place.
Related Posts
Paddleboarding Tips and Tricks for Callalisa Creek in Central Florida