On The Choctawhatchee River

Choctaw Lodge

Bed & Breakfast Retreat

PH: 850-835-1784

choctawlodge@aol.com

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Click for Ponce De Leon, Florida Forecast

 781 Choctawhatchee River Road- Ponce de Leon, Florida  32455

Trips & Activities For Guests

Here at Choctaw Lodge, our retreat offers many daily trips and different activities on the river. The trips are specially suited for nature lovers who are in search of the best and most complete experience possible on the Choctawhatchee River. Our goal is to make your visit pleasant, comfortable and personal for you. In order to meet your expectations, we suggest a customized trip designed to best suit your needs and time on the River. What ever your choice, discovering the Choctawhatchee river by chartered boat, canoes or kayaks, will allow you to experience this wonderful life on the river. Our Guide boats are available for charter with a licensed Captain. Having a licensed Captain aboard frees you to enjoy the scenery and concentrate on spotting and photographing wild life, plant life and birds, (or fishing as our captains know the best fishing spots around). Your Captain will also take you into beautiful pristine, hidden lakes known only to a few locals, or you may choose to discover our beautiful natural spring fed swimming holes ... Not to mention our own personal favorite sandbars we love to swim at ourselves.

Choctaw Lodge offers the following 1/2 day or all day trips with our experienced Captain aboard one of our three motor boats. Our canoes and kayaks are a free amenity to you as a guest staying at the lodge. However, if you require a guide, our Captains are available to give you a guided tour by canoe or kayak for a fee. If you have your own canoes or kayaks, feel free to bring them with you. The following are a number of trips and activities you may expect while visiting with us.

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There are over 79 species of birds living in this area including birds of prey such as osprey, hawks, owls and eagles. You may also spot other species of birds such as the blue heron, egrets, red-bellied woodpecker, the pileated woodpecker and the Mississippi kite, among many, many others. It has been rumored that the "possibly" extinct ivory-billed woodpecker has been spotted in this area. You may want to keep a sharp look out just in case!

Keep a keen eye open for our leaping Sturgeons as well. These prehistoric fish are found in the Choctawhatchee River during spawning season. They can weigh up to 160 lbs and are often seen leaping two to three feet out of the water during the season. They do make quite a splash! Other fish in this river include bass, channel catfish, brim, sunfish and mullet, among others. More times than not, you will spot alligators resting on the river banks while the sun warms their cold blooded bodies. Three feet? Six feet? Eleven Feet? Yes we have seen them all! Only in winter months while hibernating do you not see alligators. Turtles lazily sleep on logs while snails lay their eggs at the bases of 1000 year old cypress trees. Twenty-one aquatic snails and freshwater mussel species exist in the Choctawhatchee river. Some of these species are found only in this river. Other wildlife in this area, but rarely seen are Black Bear, Coyotes, Florida Panther, Bob Cats, Deer and Wild Hogs. Turkeys are often seen on our roads in the early mornings.

Along with thriving cypress and cedar trees, other species of plant life found up and down the river include magnolia trees, needle palms, yellow (flame) wild azaleas, rare orchids, ferns, willows, Southern Pine, Beech, Laurel Oak, Basswood, Florida Maple, the fragrant Tupelo and American Holly. Many other plants adorn the river banks making every season unique and interesting throughout the year. At the right time of season, our Captain may pull up to wild scuppernong grape vines growing on the river banks. Yummy!

A 1/2 day trip is a chartered three hour trip. After breakfast, you will board our boat ready for your 1/2 day excursion on the Choctawhatchee River with our Captain/tour guide. Many directions can be chosen for your 1/2 day trip. You can choose from a trip to the springs as you tour the bird, plant and wild life along the way. Or you may choose to discover one of many hidden lakes. It is an adventure in itself just to make it through the swamps and tributaries that take you into these hidden lakes. This trip includes your Captain/guide, snacks and water provided by Choctaw Lodge. You are welcome to bring additional drinks or food of your choice.

 

Our all day trip offers more of paradise, covering additional territory within your day. The all day trip includes all of the same opportunities as the 1/2 day trip with the chance to travel further up or down river. Each area of the river is different. This trip may offer more sightings of wild life, plant life and bird life. You will have a chance to experience the river, enjoy lunch, take a swim and return in time for dinner. Another choice for the all day excursion is a "SPECIAL TRIP TO THE BAY." The Choctawhatchee River eventually flows into the Gulf of Mexico. As this trip down river turns from fresh water into brackish water it becomes the River Delta dividing into many rivers before emptying directly into the Choctawhatchee Bay and eventually flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. This trip down river into the Salt Water Bay offers many different species of plants as the landscape changes considerably closer to the Bay. You will leave Choctaw Lodge after breakfast. As you journey towards the Bay, the opportunities for spotting wild life and plant life abound, changing drastically as you arrive closer to the Bay. Your all day five hour trip includes, snacks, water, lunch and soft drinks.

 

After a busy day on the river and before dinner, you will enjoy the sheer beauty of the river at sunset. As life on the river winds down for the day the Captain will shut the engine down just before the sun sets. With the engine off, you will drift quietly and methodically down river enjoying wine and cheese provided by Choctaw Lodge. This excursion is approximately 1 hour.

PRICING FOR TRIPS ABOARD THE

CHOCTAW LODGE BOATS, CANOES AND KAYAKS

"THE RIVER RUNNER"

The River Runner is a 24 foot Carolina Skiff available for 1/2 or all day charters and Sunset cruises. It carries up to a maximum of six people and minimum of four, plus your captain/guide.

 

 $200.00 + Tax (Up to 4 People)

$50.00 + Tax each additional person up to 6 people

$340.00 + Tax (Up to 4 People)

$85.00 + Tax each additional person up to 6 people

 

$35.00 Per Person + Tax (Up to 6 People)

 

 $55.00 Per Person + Tax  (Up to 6 People)

**If fishing, you must bring your own fishing gear

& provide a FL Fishing license.**

**With Limited reservations, we recommend making your plans well in advance by calling**

or emailing Choctaw Lodge today.

May we suggest customizing your visit with us. By incorporating your needs and special interests, we will help you create an unforgettable visit to the Choctaw Lodge Retreat.

Phone: 850-835-1784

Email: Choctawlodge@aol.com

Sorry, No Pets Allowed

You really haven't experienced the river until you experience it at night. This river comes alive with nocturnal creatures scurrying around the river banks and alligators quietly swimming past. You will join our captain aboard "The River Runner" to enjoy a late night 1 1/2 hour cruise. On this trip you are sure to experience the spirit of the river at night.

If you are lucky enough to be staying at Choctaw Lodge on a full moon, then, you will truly see the beauty of this river under the magic of a full clear moon. With stars shining, the moonlight glows bright as day light, casting shadows on the trees reflecting in the water. Depending on the season, your experience may vary. Typically, there may be a moment of silence, then suddenly sounds erupt as bull frogs and locust harmonize calling out to each other. Lightning bugs flicker, mosquito hawks fly above and you suddenly notice a slow movement in the water. We move our flashlights to the edge of the river bank to find alligators hunting for dinner. Yes the river is very much alive at night. Whether full moon, half moon or no moon, you will not be disappointed with your night cruise.

CANOES AND KAYAKS

The canoes and kayaks are a free amenity to our guests staying in the boat house, guest house or house boat.  Guided tours by canoe or kayak are available up on request for the following prices.

 

$100.00 + Tax

$175.00 + Tax

If you are a guest at Choctaw Lodge and have your own boat canoe or kayak, please feel free to bring you own. If you would like a guide on your boat, our Captain is for hire. Advance reservations are highly recommended.

 Jets Skis and Wave Runners are NOT allowed.

**If fishing, you must bring your own fishing gear

& provide a FL Fishing license.**

             Click on Accommodations For Additional Information

 "CHOCTAW LADY"

The Choctaw lady is a 48' Houseboat available for 1/2 day, all day, sunset cruises and overnight charters. It has a full galley, head and sleeps six.

 $400.00 + Tax for up to 6 People

 

$600.00 + Tax for up to 6 People

$150.00 + Tax for up to 6 People