Crescent Lake. The Silver River is known for its crystal clear waters, abundant wildlife, and natural beauty, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Fe_River_(Florida), https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/suwannee-river-wilderness-state-trail, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_River_(Florida). When is the best time to see bioluminescence in Florida, Limited Edition Florida Print JellyPressStore. | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. Alligators are more likely to attack if they mistake you for prey, so wearing brightly colored clothing will help them identify you as a human. When they see a kayak approaching, their first instinct is to hide underwater rather than attack. My team and I are huge outdoor enthusiasts, and youll find information from RVing, kayaking, snorkeling, and etc. You can explore various rivers and creeks filled with wildlife and stunning views here. The river has an underground cave system filled with water, up to 180 feet below the surface. I love to share my passion and knowledge with all of you. 1. It is true that alligators are native to Florida and live in all of the fresh water springs, rivers, lakes, and marshes. ]. For those who prefer coastal paddling trips or adventures near beaches, then websites like PaddlingFinder can help narrow down searches by location proximity while also providing trip reviews from other users. The Best Disney Springs Happy Hours in 2022 - Just Go! Besides, there are numerous access points along the river, such as Bayport or Pine Island Beach. Its located near Fort Myers and offers incredible scenery and wildlife to observe during your trip. 1.1 Rainbow River: 1.2 Lake Eola: 1.3 Crystal River: 1.4 Weeki Wachee Springs State Park: 1.5 Little Manatee River State Park: . The Great Calusa Blueway. 2 Where to kayak in Florida without alligators. These are also things that one might warn a . Complete Guide. Some of these may include: Ichetucknee Springs . When paddling in this area, bring sunscreen and protective clothing, as the sun can be quite strong here. Its located near Fort White, just two hours away from Gainesville. Eight major crystal-clear springs join the Ichetucknee River. Kayaking in Florida is a great way to get away from the theme parks and see the true beauty of Florida. What Part Of Florida Has No Alligators? As a Florida family, kayaking is one of our favorite things to do. Most alligator fatalities are associated with wading, swimming, or snorkeling in fresh water. Kayakers can start at the fort king waterway that connects to the Silver Spring River. There are 2.5 miles of marked trail in the mangrove wilderness that are a kayakers paradise. One of the coolest kayaking trips you can do is a bioluminescent tour in Florida. What Is Oil Canning on a Kayak? The island is only accessible by boat, making it a great place to get away from the crowds. Manage Settings - Just Go! The water flows freely. Finally don't forget Florida's famed natural springs! We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. LAUNCH ON GOOGLE MAPS. It would be best to move away immediately upon hearing any of these sounds. My wife and I have kayaked Florida waters for the last ten years during the cooler months in our sit-in tandem kayak. Read: Where To Kayak In Florida Without Alligators. Luckily, there are plenty of other beautiful and peaceful waterways to explore. It can be dangerous if you don't take safety precautions such as paying attention to eroded terrain while hiking and avoiding areas with loose rocks when climbing cliff walls and hillsides as well wearing adequate clothes for protection from desert temperatures or cactus damage. Everglades Safari Park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the last tour departs at 4:30 p.m. Tickets for adults cost . Pack plenty of drinking water and snacks, especially if youll be out on the water for a long period of time. The brisk flowing water easily Carrie's you down 6 miles of run, and shuttles will pick you up at the end dock. So I wanted to share the benefit of my years of experience as a Florida paddler kayaking and canoeing by . >> the tail went on our kayak. This will put you and your dog in more danger.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'kayakspoint_com-banner-1','ezslot_6',631,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-kayakspoint_com-banner-1-0'); You should try to keep a distance of at least 30 feet if you can. The best mangrove kayaking in the United States is a 2-hour tour through the canals of Lido Key. In addition there are two wonderful refuges nearby Big Pass near Lido Key which sometimes provides seasonal manatee sightings when paddling around calm waters here - as well as Little Sarasota Bay just across US 41 from Siesta Key where secluded bays ringed with luxuriant foliage provide shelter from most sea-breezes coming up from further south which makes finding safe places to paddle fun even on windier days! Kayaking in this river may be challenging since the water can get relatively low. Silver Glen Springs. But if you're looking for a kayaking adventure without alligators, you may be wondering where to go. The brisk flowing water easily Carries you down 6 miles of run, and shuttles will pick you up at the end dock. Contrary to what we have been made to believe, alligators are not aggressive animals. Alligators are more likely to attack if they mistake you for prey, so wearing brightly colored clothing will help them identify you as a human. If you're looking for the best non-swampy places to kayak in Florida, there are plenty of great options to choose from. Manage Settings We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. By Cary Hardy May 31, 2022. Alligators in North and South Carolina are mostly found along the coast. Besides, there are many access points along the river, such as Suwannee River State Park or Manatee Springs State Park. The server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). Enjoy the tranquil beauty of Central Florida while exploring the park's various creeks and lakes via your kayak or canoe. During the mating season, alligators can also be aggressive because it is warmer and their metabolism is high, making them hungry and desperately searching for food. Kayaking these scenic spots will imprint beautiful memories into every adventurers mind forever! You can get there from the cities of Crystal River or Apalachicola, where you can rent a kayak and go paddling for hours without alligators. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. This inshore saltwater trail spans 150 miles of the Gulf Coast of Florida. By following this guide, you can stay safe while having a great time out on the water. We have discussed some places where you can kayak freely without fearing alligators. 3. These conditions, accompanied by the sandy river floors. Crystal River is well known as a great manatee spotting site, and leads to Three Sisters Spring, a beautiful kayaking site. Ichetucknee Springs, Madison Blue Spring, Withlacoochee, and Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail are some of the places that might be included. There are also experiences like kayaking with manatees, and bioluminescence tours that can only be experienced here. You may come across turtles, and herons and may see an alligator or two. Rainbow Springs State Park. It is best to take a bioluminescence tour in Florida from June to early October. Basically, don't go paddling close to alligators to try and get a closer look. Just about 90 minutes north of Tampa Bay, Crystal River is actually a large network of about 40 natural springs, originating in King's Bay before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico.Only accessible by boat, Crystal River has earned its nickname as a "water lover's paradise" with a multitude of activities and wildlife to see. Alligators are attracted to small animals and may see them as prey. Alligators are known to be more aggressive during mating season, which is April through June. And if youre kayaking at night, be sure to wear a light so you can be seen. A kayaker exploring a section of a North Carolina river found more than he expected when an alligator slammed into his boat. Wearing a life jacket can help you stay afloat if you fall in the water or your kayak overturns. Titusville and Cocoa Beach are the two best places to see bioluminescence, not just in Florida but in the world. 2. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Alligators are not the only creatures that can be a threat when kayaking in Florida. These springs are found in the Weeki Wachee state park in west-central Florida, and the water is turquoise. Where can I kayak in Florida without alligators? If you would prefer to do a kayaking tour in a saltwater environment, here are some great options: Florida springs are the real star of Florida kayaking. This lovely stretch offers paddlers miles of scenic views while they explore its numerous springs along more than 220-miles course length! Lets look at the seven alligator-free places where you can kayak. 4 The Wilderness Trail of the Suwannee River. The area is rich in wildlife, and has hiking, a beautiful driving trail, and amazing kayaking spots. Crescent Lake. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'funoutdoorventures_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funoutdoorventures_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Some of these places have alligator populations living close by, and others are entirely alligator-free. The park is generally considered safe for travelers who take necessary precautions for their own well-being such as being mindful about drinking only bottled water when camping out or refraining from wandering deep into trails without a guide present because borders with Mexico share common land entrances near the national park.. locations for kayaking adventures just remember to always stay aware even when beach hopping in northward or heading down south towards Dry Tortugas National Park they arent called The Danger Islands by accidents.. The Manatee River runs along the gulf coast of Florida, and it includes expansive waterways of 46 miles. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It is located in the Silver river springs state park in Ocala. If you want something a bit more adventurous, take a tour around Big Lagoon State Park near Pensacola it features twisty mangrove tunnels for fun exploring in addition to peaceful lagoons perfect for easy paddling. Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail. But if youre looking for a kayaking adventure without alligators, you may be wondering where to go. You will find many other kayakers here, so follow the local guidelines and regulations for a safe and enjoyable experience. Ensure to keep an eye out for things like logs, rocks, or other submerged objects that could be hazardous to your boat. Just be careful not to get too close to the manatees that often congregate in the area. Read more. And dont forget to apply sunscreen! With stunning scenery, clear water, wondrous rock formations, and banks lined with majestic cypress trees, the 6 mile long Ichetuknee River is a wonder to kayak.