Places to Canoe/Kayak

        Garnier Bayou

Pictures and Information

Location

Garnier Bayou is in Fort Walton Beach, Florida and is bordered on it's east side by Longwood road
Map of Garnier Bayou

Description

    Garnier Bayou is a large bayou compared to the neighboring Chula Vista Bayou or Don's Bayou. It is one of the only bayous in the area that does not have houses all around it. Almost the entire back half of Garnier Bayou is not developed because it is part of the Eglin Air Force Base reservation. This is one of the best places in the area to go canoeing or kayaking, and it is rare to see anyone up in the creeks that lead into it.

There are at least 3 small streams that lead into the end of Garnier Bayou. One is Garnier Creek, which leads into the east side of the end of the bayou and splits into two branches just before it empties into the bayou. One of these branches is very narrow (about 8 feet), but deep for it's width (about 3-8 feet). This creek is spring fed and has cool, clear water. The other creek that leads into the end of the bayou partially originates at Timber Lake and is called Lightwood Creek. This creek also branches in 2 just before it empties into the west side of the end of Garnier Bayou. The end of the bayou has a mud bottom and is very shallow in some places so if you're in anything bigger than a canoe or a kayak be carefull not to bottom out. Most of this bayou is about 12 feet deep.

Pictures

Views from the end of Garnier Bayou


Garnier Creek


Lightwood Creek


Panoramic view of the end of Garnier Bayou