Okefenokee at Night

Description: Boating into Okefenokee’s Heart of Darkness. Some people seem to have extreme fears about the idea of this tour but it is a safe experience when done properly and with sensible safeguards under our supervision and guidance. It does require a little sense of adventure, so it might not be suited for the overly nervous, extremely reactionary or a fearful paranoid type person. The reason for this being mainly that if someone cannot relax and enjoy the peacefulness and serenity of this unique experience, it tends to make it unpleasant for the others who are attempting to enjoy and savor that tranquility.

This tour does not take place in the same part of Okefenokee our day tours visit. We will be experiencing the more remote and less used N.E. portion of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge through Kingfisher Landing.

Usually we’ll get started sometime before sundown and put on the water before darkness actually descends giving adequate time to get comfortable with our darkening surroundings. You can sit back in the boat, it has nice padded seats with seat backs, relax and enjoy. Our vessel will be gliding under majestically eerie tree sentinels of bay, pine and cypress, surrounded by Ty Ty and fetter bush. After while we plunge into prairie habitat to experience Okefenokee’s grand expanse of low vegetation not to mention potential assortments of swamp lifeforms. We may see or hear birds along with the possibility of Barred owl serenades and reptiles, mammals, amphibians, fish plus insects that we might share the night with. We can stop and watch a sunset, moonrise or the moon shadows and sky, sometimes there are very spectacular sunsets and moonrise’s.

Very quickly on, we will be smart (what’s called swampwise), cut the outboard and use a silent electric motor to move more slowly to savor and enjoy the quiet of this blackwater pristine ecological preserve. You will have use of our flashlights or headlamps or you may want to bring your own light if you have a really nice one. In our opinion, it is most enjoyable and comfortable especially from a bug standpoint not to have the lights on constantly. Starlight and moonlight are magical.

This is a wonderfully different way to experience the Okefenokee and is spectacular to see, hear, smell and experience under the cloak of darkness. We think it is rejuvenating magic. Consider a night time as the right time to partake of this unspoiled, blackwater exhilaration called Okefenokee.

Notice: The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has requested that we give them a 2 week advance notice on any date we wish for our motorized night tours. Please help us comply with their request by booking this tour before the 2 week advance booking minimum time. If you cannot meet this timetable we will try and request a shorter advance time but of course there is no guarantee that the Federal Government will allow for it.

Duration: This tour lasts from 2 to 3 hours on the water, but allow for about 4 hours or a little more time altogether to include departure and return travel times.

The intended plan is for you to relax and really enjoy this. We want you to have some fun, sometimes you can actually feel the stress of modern living leaving your body. Our favorite swamp boat seats 4 with comfortable swivel seatbacks and possible room for 1 more small person under unusual circumstances. {please see info below on our larger boat designed for larger groups}.

Cold drinks and water will be provided.

This is a private tour ideal for night sky & nature lovers and/or anyone with a little sense of adventure who would rather take in this beauty in a different light with safety and relaxation high on their list.

You should bring: Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, rain jackets (we will go rain or shine, remember it is a swamp), snack, insect repellent, comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes. Hot and cold times of year please check with us about some special instructions.

Guide Steve Knight (see guide bio)

Please check tour particulars above and/or ask us for info on cancellation policy due to weather or other circumstances especially in warm/hot weather times.

Consider staying in one of our comfortable, clean, cozy and convenient Cabins while doing your private night tour. It sure makes things go much easier, nicer & better for everyone especially for you, because your right here. Enjoy being in the country and the fine natural surroundings, not to mention some great bird watching found here on our property. Okefenokee Pastimes is directly across from the main entrance to Okefenokee NWR and a mile from the St Marys river.

Take a break from TV (you might need it) although every Cabin and campsite has high speed internet WIFI reception and decent cell phone service here. All the Cabins are Non Smoking. A butt-can and ashtray can be provided for outside only smokers.

Our Cabins are Clean! & Nice! & Private! & Fun! And at a Reasonable Price! Charming plus Romantic for couples! You could pay allot more to stay at a B&B in town but it would not be cleaner or nicer, just fancier furniture (ours is simple but comfortable). Please go to the Deluxe cabin page for details.

$25 – discount given to guests in our Deluxe Cabins 2 or more night stay.

$10 – discount given to guests for a one night only stay in our Deluxe Cabins or stay in our Basic Cabins or stay here as Campers.

As stated above we can sometimes add a fifth small person or child to our standard boat used in tours as long as the family and/or group agrees. Comfort and overall weight are important factors to be considered. Note with this tour – a fifth (small child) added to our standard boat is not charged.

Please ask about our larger capacity boat perfect for slightly larger groups of friends & family. We offer this new and larger boat outfitted the same way (quiet electric motor) able to accommodate from five to eight people and sometimes more for about the same amount of time on the water, a very similar high quality guided Okefenokee boating experience.

All Night tours will originate and end at Okefenokee Pastimes before and after travel to our remote night tour location of Kingfisher Landing, Okefenokee NWR 25 miles away.

Base priced $455 includes 4 people add $50 per additional person up to 8 people in very comfortable seating, up to 10 maximum are allowed in this larger boat with a larger electric motor which is perfectly suited for Okefenokee at night.

{Tour timing, availability, duration and areas covered in the Okefenokee are subject to change with swamp water levels, conditions & weather.