Please tell me about you experiences kayaking at a Spring in Florida??

[fierysatsuma]

Hi, I will be travelling to Orlando for 3 weeks quite soon, from the UK, I want a 'day away from it all', perhaps at one the Florida's many Springs i've been looking at - Wekiwa, Blue Spring, Juniper etc. Anyone done this who can offer me any feedback? Particularly Juniper - I've heard its quite difficult and even the experienced Kayak'ers have trouble and end up in the water, with the Aligators!.

Many thanks.

Matt

 

[OhMari]

Kevin Springer from the UK did Kayaking up in North Carolina if you want to take a 3 days away from WDW. Find his trip report. I think it was around day 6.

Otherwise I am going to move you over to the Orlando area boards. Hopefully someone will be able to help you over there.

 

[magicmouse2]

We did canoing in Wekiwa Springs. You could get a kayak too. It was very quiet and found it easy to navigate. It was an easy drive there too. There were alligators - we saw 2 or 3. We also swam in the spring which was more like a round swimming pool.

 

[Lisa P.]

We've been canoeing in Rainbow Springs, which is up in Ocala near our in-laws. The water was crystal clear, like looking down into an aquarium. Amazing. We did see turtles, alligators, fish and water birds but we didn't get into the water until we were at the headsprings, where the water is too cool to appeal to the gators. That river is quite calm, not much for kayaking. Just wanted to share that the springs are lovely for sighting wildlife.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

I haven't done any of the springs you mention, but I've kayaked the Silver River and Silver Springs, plus Crystal River (lots more but those are the only ones I've kayaked in the area you mentioned).

Personally I prefer more open water like Crystal River than narrow rivers like Silver River--there's lots more to see. The narrow rivers with thick tree canopies are kind of boring--basically you just see the same kind of scenery (trees, tress, and more trees) for miles and miles. Pretty but a little dull.

On Crystal River, you'll see a lot more birds, and possibly manatees and dolphins. The narrow rivers are better for spotting alligators, though, if they are of interest to you (having lived in Florida most of my life, I'm not particularly interested in kayaking near gators ).

 

[magicmouse2]

Think we will give Crystal Rivers a go. Would like to see manatees and even dolphins. Seeing Gators was quite cool for us, but the river was kinda narrow.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

Think we will give Crystal Rivers a go. Would like to see manatees and even dolphins. Seeing Gators was quite cool for us, but the river was kinda narrow.

There are lots of guides for Crystal River, but here's the guide I use for nearly all my paddling trips:
http://www.adventureoutpost.net/

He does Crystal River paddles just about every weekend from the end of October through February or March--prices are very reasonable and include kayak rental. The guide (Lars Andersen) is a historian, writer, and naturalist, and a very laid-back and pleasant person to paddle with. I've gone on a dozen of his paddles and he always has a congenial group of people on the river (although he's available for private tours if that's what you want).

Have a great time!

 

[tropical depression]

There are lots of guides for Crystal River, but here's the guide I use for nearly all my paddling trips:
http://www.adventureoutpost.net/

thanks for the link, I'm always looking for another guide.