What kind of kayaks/canoes are provided for tours?

All of our kayaks are light/moderate capacity sit-in single touring kayaks with one or more storage compartments with a bulkhead and hatch. Most are Wilderness Systems and a few are Old Towns. Our canoes are 15 to 17 foot long tandems (two seats, but can be paddled solo). All tours begin with basic paddling instruction and a safety lesson for paddling in “gator country”. If you have no paddling experience, you will take a kayak as they are very intuitive to learn to paddle. If you have canoe experience, you can request a canoe for your tour.

Do we have to wear PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices)/lifevests?

Yes, we require wearing Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs, aka life vests) on all of our paddling tours. We provide comfortable paddling-style PFDs with large cutouts beneath the arms to our guests, but if you have your own that you are comfortable with, you are welcome to bring it! PFDs must be worn at all times while on the water. We are safety-oriented first and foremost and a PFD is always important to wear while paddling. If you are coming on one of our private or public guided boat tours, guests over the age of 12 do not have to wear a PFD (though you can ask to wear one). Children 12 and under must wear a PFD while boating according to Georgia state law.

How bad are the bugs in the Okefenokee Swamp?

The two main groups of biting insects that are bothersome to day visitors and campers in Okefenokee are the mosquitoes and the yellow flies (a type of small horse fly). The mosquitoes are present year round and tend to come out at sunset, last all night, and disappear shortly after dawn. Yellow flies tend to emerge in late April and persist until early fall. We recommend wearing long sleeves, long pants, and close-toed shoes (they like toes!) for the best protection, as well as bug spray of your choice. Bug spray is provided on every tour, and head nets are provided on camping tours. We allow the use of Thermacells if camping on the island sites, but not if we are camping on platforms, as Thermacells are known to be harmful to aquatic life.

Are there age restrictions for your tours?

We don’t allow babies on our tours for their safety- toddlers and young children can ride with an adult in a kayak. Toddlers and up are welcome on our guided small-boat tours!

Can I bring my dog on a tour in the Okefenokee Swamp?

Dogs are not allowed on our tours due to the inherent danger that they face from alligators, which naturally see small creatures as prey. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge prohibits pets on the water. If you have a service dog and would like a private boat tour, please contact us directly.

Does our guide feed the alligators / can we feed the alligators?

No, by Georgia state law, feeding alligators is illegal. Besides being illegal in Georgia, it is a bad idea regardless! Alligators should never be fed, as they will learn to associate people/boats with an easy meal, and can lose their natural fear of humans over time.

What entrance to the Okefenokee Swamp are you located at?

The great thing about Okefenokee & Satilla Expeditions is that we are a mobile tour company and outfitter! Our family owned/operated company is based out of our home in Waycross, GA, but we meet you at one of these locations below for your tour or shuttle. Our Federal guiding permit allows us to operate from any of the public entrances to Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The entrances that we operate from are:

• Suwannee Canal Recreation Area (east side, near Folkston, GA)

• Kingfisher Landing (northeast side, halfway between Waycross and Folkston, GA)

• Stephen C. Foster State Park (west side, near Fargo, GA)

What should I wear?

Comfortable, outdoors-appropriate clothing that you don’t mind getting wet is best. A t-shirt with a button-up overshirt, with leggings, pants, or shorts is fine. We always recommend wearing a hat and sunglasses as Okefenokee is usually sunnier than people expect! As far as footwear, old sneakers, crocs in “sport mode”, or hiking sandals work well.

I want to see wildlife! When is the best time to go on a tour?

Wildlife in the Okefenokee Swamp tend to be most active around dawn and dusk. At mid-day, wildlife sightings tend to be less frequent. You can request a sunrise/very early morning tour to get the best chance at wildlife sightings.

How big is your tour boat? Is it loud?

We use a 16 foot long, 75 inch wide jon boat (flat bottomed boat) that is perfect for cruising the shallow and sometimes narrow trails of the Okefenokee Swamp. This small boat experience lets you have an intimate tour that gets you up close and personal with the incredible flora and fauna of the Land of the Trembling Earth. It can hold 3-4 guests (depending on overall size of participants). Our newer model outboard motor is one of the quietest around, but can zip us out to some really amazing places in the wilderness. An electric trolling motor on the boat allows us to move silently along to appreciate the peace and tranquility of Okefenokee.

Are you from here?

One of my favorites questions, because, yes, both I (Jenny) and my husband, Jamey, were born and raised on the north end of Okefenokee, in Ware County. I’m from Waresboro, and he is from Millwood. Both of our families go back 7+ generations in this area of Georgia. His fourth Great Grandfather was the famous Obediah Barber, known as “The King of the Swamp”, while my some of my ancestors were Swampers (the Gunters) who lived on the northeast side of Okefenokee (and are mentioned in Francis Harper’s great book about the Swamp, Okefinokee Album!). As locals with family heritage here, I like to say that the Swamp is in our blood! On our tours, you get the local’s experience, and we pride ourselves on our Southern hospitality.