Kayaking down Weeki Wachee Springs is a MUST-DO for anyone visiting the central west coast of Florida. The slowly meandering river gently glides you through this tropical paradise. It's so easy, anyone can do it (see pic below!) but seriously, Weeki Wachee Springs and the surrounding area is a kayaking and SUP paradise.
About Weeki Wachee Springs
Weeki Wachee Springs, Florida is a quaint little coastal city off of the Gulf of Mexico along Central Florida's "Nature Coast". Fed by springs that flow at a constant 72 degrees, the water truly is "crystal" clear. It's a small town and touristy but in a nature activities kind of way. You'll find kayakers, paddle boarders and canoers in the smaller areas and lots of boats in the more open waters.
I've had the pleasure of going up there several times, and each time has been unique.
“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.”
― Heraclitus
Weeki Fresh Water Adventures is the only kayak and paddleboard rental facility located on the river at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Florida so naturally, we started there. I don't own a kayak yet (on my wishlist!) so we rented a tandem kayak and had the nice team there launch us into the river.
Notes: It appears that reservations are now required. Visit the WeekiWatchee.com to learn more, make reservations and review the rules. It's a state park, which has more rules and regulations than most of the other springs in Florida.
I always recommend this trip for first-time kayakers as it's an easy 3-hour float down 5.5 miles of the tranquil, crystal-clear Weeki Wachee River. Much of your picturesque journey will be underneath the shade of cypress and oak trees, and of course, Florida’s distinctive palms providing relief from Florida's heat and sun. You truly get to feel surrounded by nature, a welcome departure from the stresses of day-to-day life.
Even if you’ve never kayaked or stand-up paddle boarded before, give it a shot! The staff members will provide you with basic instructions and the Weeki Wachee River is very easy to navigate, even for beginners. You can't get lost, the majority of the river is actually quite shallow, and you can see all the way to the bottom. No river monsters here!
My mom and I had never kayaked before and despite not exactly avoiding ALL of the bushes, we had a BLAST. You don't even need to paddle since you're basically just slowly floating downstream. Just turn when you approach a bend in the river!
Along the way, you may find yourself paddling alongside endangered West Indian manatees. You may also see turtles, otters, storks, and pelicans! We paused for a break and watched small schools of fish dart around below us.
The best part of this spring is the peace and quiet. The traffic is regulated so it's never overcrowded which can be a problem at many other springs, like Ginnie Springs for example. If you are seeking serenity within a tropical Florida paradise - this is it!
There are a variety of restaurants, hotels, and air b&bs in the area. I usually only spend the day but am looking into possibly staying in a dog-friendly accommodation on my next visit.
Getting to Weeki Wachee Springs: Central West Florida, appx 1hr 20 mins north of Tampa, 1.5 west of Orlando.
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