By Capt. Chris Thalmann Contributing Writer
During summer, it’s great to enjoy some cooler weather around sunrise and sunset. One of my favorite sunrise/sunset spots is on the Loxahatchee River. The Lox is one of the most beautiful natural places you’ll find anywhere in the state. If you’re exploring the river by boat for the first time, my recommendation is to work your way up to a sunset trip. A summer morning trip on a rising tide is a great way to start! A few things to keep in mind: Depth: The Lox is shallow in places and only the lower river channel is well marked. Once you’re inside the state park boundary – you’re on your own finding the channel. There are several spots on the upper river where the water can be 10-20 feet deep on one side of the boat and 1-2 feet deep on the other. Personally, I think more water makes for better boating than less water. But that’s not always part of this river’s personality. So, if you’re not comfortable going slow and seeing your depth finder read 2-3 feet and less, this may not be your best trip ever. If you do go aground upriver, I highly recommend slowly backing off from the same direction you approached. Lox River water is very black when churned up by props. Water that’s 10 feet deep will look the same as water that’s 2 feet deep. You’re better off finding the deeper water that was just behind you than looking for deeper water somewhere up front. Navigation: River water moves fastest on the outside of turns and bends, and faster water scours deeper channels. Which means you’re more likely to find deeper water on the outside of turns than on the inside. As weird as it seems to be on the left side of the channel going around a big right hand turn, that’s where you’ll find the deep stuff. Timing: Lots of no-wake on the upper river, so budget 45 minutes to get to the state park docks from the railroad / Alternate A1A bridges, plus 45 minutes to get back. It’s all no-wake from the state park docks heading upriver into the wild and scenic section, so double whatever time it takes to get to your turnaround spot. We usually budget 3 hours of run time for a river tour from Jupiter. You don’t want to be on the upper river after dark if you’ve never been up there in daylight. Other options: Canoe and kayak access is available at Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County and at Riverbend Park in Jupiter. Both parks have well-stocked paddling concessions if you don’t have your own gear. Both offer guided and self-guided tours as well . J.D. State Park also offers a spectacular pontoon boat tour to the old Trapper Nelson homestead. Enjoy those sunrises and sunsets, hope to see you on the water!
Captain Chris Thalmann
Owner | Aqua Adventure Tours, Inc. • aquaadventuretours.com