KAYAKING ON THE ISLAND

You will experience a true wilderness environment so come prepared. Generally synthetic clothing that dries quickly when splashed is nice. A large brim hat and plenty of sunscreen is also good. You want to stay hydrated so we highly recommend bringing a water bottle. At a minimum plan on getting your feet wet and some paddle splash. Many guests bring a change of clothes and a towel. Water shoes, sandals, light canvas shoes, or neoprene socks are all good choices for footwear. Most of the summer Utah is hot so light colored thin clothes that vent well are good. Watch the weather and come prepared with jackets or raincoats if appropriate. You can have a good time kayaking in most weather. Other items you may want include insect repellent, binoculars, cameras, sunglasses, a wide brim hat, and work gloves to avoid blisters.

Like any wilderness experience sea kayaking involves inherent risk which could lead to injury, damage of property, or death. As a guest you must be willing to accept these risks. One of the most important things you can do is come prepared with suitable clothing and sunscreen to protect yourself from harmful ultraviolet rays. You should also have water to avoid dehydration. Wind, hot days, and lighting are the some of the more significant threats we have on the lake.

Is the lake stinky?
Farmington Bay on the south side of the causeway road is less saline than the rest of the lake. This results in more algae blooms and fewer brine shrimp and brine flies to eat the algae. The decaying alga often creates a strong odor. Fortunately the prevailing wind direction is to the southeast so you can seldom smell Farmington Bay on the North or West sides of the island. The rest of the lake has a brine scent that is typical of most marine environments.

How about insects?
One of the truly amazing things about the Great Salt Lake is the basic food web that includes insects. The shallow lake creates alga that is consumed by brine shrimp and brine flies. The brine shrimp and brine flies create the primary food source for the many migratory birds that visit the lake. The breeze across the lake sweeps brine flies to the shore where concentrations of brine flies can be significant. Shore birds congregate to feast on the meal that is provided by the breeze. The flies do not bite and are very harmless, but for a person that does not like flies they are also a nuisance. Flies are seldom a problem on the water. After experiencing the beauty of the lake you may even gain an appreciation for how they contribute to this unique place.