When you kayak through alligator-infested waters, you should know what to do when you encounter one. Crystal River. Nature . Santa Fe River. ]. As you move along the path, it will alternate between full shade and full sun. Additionally, there are multiple areas along the river where you can take a break and enjoy the stunning scenery. The way the land is situated is quite unique. Here are some general safety tips for kayaking in Florida: Pay attention to signage: Many areas that are popular for kayaking, such as state parks and nature preserves, have signage indicating the presence of alligators. These springs are found in the Weeki Wachee state park in west-central Florida, and the water is turquoise. Enjoy the tranquil beauty of Central Florida while exploring the park's various creeks and lakes via your kayak or canoe. 2. There are no alligators in the swimming area, but if you had to kayak further down the river, you would probably come across a couple. Pete Joyce was paddling in a swampy . Here are some top spots for kayaking in Florida without having to worry about run-ins with these dangerous reptiles. This beautiful and diverse state has many amazing kayaking spots where you can paddle without seeing any gators. This river is 246 miles long, located in northwest Florida, and stretches to Mexico. This park covers around 24,000 acres and is home to thousands of alligators. You can even get out of your kayaks and hike around the parks and trails scattered throughout the area. Silver Springs is a great place to see manatees in the winter and is a family friendly kayaking destination, known also for its glass bottom boat tours and controversial rhesus monkey population. The FWC places the highest priority on public safety and administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP). There are some measures that increase safety, which we will discuss. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. You can view the parks colorful coral reefs teeming with marine life while you float down the river on your kayak. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. If you are interested in seeing Comb jelly fish, they can be seen between November and May. Ichetucknee Springs, Madison Blue Spring, Withlacoochee, and Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail are some of the places that might be included. 1 Is it safe to kayak in Florida? 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. Fun Outdoor Ventures is owned and operated by Susan and is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. But with alligators lurking in many of the waterways, its important to know where its safe to paddle. Follow all the rules and regulations for the area you are paddling in. Fortunately, there are plenty of reputable sources online that can help direct you to some of the best places to kayak without fear of gators. See wildlife like Manatees. And dont forget your camera! This tour takes guests through the famous mangrove tunnels and into the open water near Otter Key. The male alligator 11 feet, 10 inches long was shot in the head one evening near dusk last month by a trapper contracted . Contents. Susan also participates in affiliate programs with Bluehost, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. Learn More: What to wear bioluminescent kayaking? Furthermore, info about species diversity for each body of water including any potentially dangerous creatures is available at GLMA (Gulf Living Marine Assessment). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Most of Floridas freshwater rivers and water systems have an alligator population living in them. The animals to see include bald eagles, pelicans, fish, and sea turtles that you can see swimming below your boat. Besides, there are many access points along the river, such as Suwannee River State Park or Manatee Springs State Park. 00:58 - Source: CNN. When is the best time to see manatees in Florida? Is Kayak Fishing Worth It? And since alligators are not found in saltwater, you can kayak here without worry. Continue with Recommended Cookies. And dont forget to apply sunscreen! Most of the time they pass by they want nothing to do with you. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience while paddling in Florida, let us write some useful tips that can help you stay safe on your kayaking trip in Florida waters. St Johns River: For those who want to venture up North toward Jacksonville but don't want gators getting in their way - then St Johns River is definitely where they should be headed! Finally if neither of these take your fancy why not try Lake Wales? As a Florida family, kayaking is one of our favorite things to do. - Just Go! Read more. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail. This park covers almost 40,000 acres and is home to thousands of alligators. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. They won't attack indiscriminately, and rarely will they stay in the same area as a kayaker. Chances of dying from lighting strike or hurricane are higher. No matter where you rove about within this paradise state known for its glorious sunsets peeking through cypress stands enshrouded in clouds framing majestic everglades wetlands from which rises extraordinary wildlife choruses flocking cobalt skies at day along magical night as Venus brightens come nightfall you'll find some truly amazing non-swampy spots well worth your exploration whether it's tepid springs rippling waterways overflown riverbanks inviting blow dredge islands or shaded mangroves negotiating intra coastal passes entrenched within sizable saltwater estuaries that offer untamed paddles truly deserving any outdoor enthusiast delight pursuit! Little Manatee River, Wimauma. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. We have discussed some places where you can kayak freely without fearing alligators. In addition, the area is free from all the dangerous wildlife, so you can be sure there wont be any alligators. The Okaloosa County-managed Wayside Park next to the Cox Bridge section of State Road 85 near the south end of Crestview is a convenient way to get on the Shoal River. Be sure to heed these warnings and avoid paddling in areas where alligators are known to be present. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Pingback: The Best Disney Springs Happy Hours in 2022 - Just Go! Be sure to head over towards Apalachicola when visiting Northwest Florida an area full of sugar sand beaches, marshes and islands made specifically for kayak exploration! Use your common sense and if you see or hear anything that makes you uncomfortable, head back to shore. By following this guide, you can stay safe while having a great time out on the water. In order to help you, the following are the 12 best places to kayak in Florida without Alligators. Its also a great spot for kayaking, with many calm and shallow areas to explore. If youre looking to have some fun outdoor water adventures, then you have come to the right place. They will hide near the edge where there are bushes that they can use as cover, so you may not even see them. Always check the weather forecast before heading out on the water. Kayakers should stay away from this area as it can be dangerous due to the abundance of alligators. Instead, it is three interconnected areas, each with its unique attributes. While the idea. Kayaking Myakka River. This Orlando landmark is a great place to go kayaking, especially if youre looking for a bit of city scenery. The park covers over 2,300 square miles and is home to thousands of alligators. A Complete Guide to New Smyrna Beach - Just Go! Florida wildlife officials have now killed a nearly 12-foot alligator that swam within inches of a frightened paddleboarder in a popular state park during an encounter in September recorded on video that went viral. Dinoflagellates emit glowing light through a chemical reaction, and lead to an amazing night time kayaking experience. People concerned about an alligator should call our toll-free Nuisance Alligator . Cayo Costa Camping Tips for 2021 - Just Go! Hey there kayak lovers! - Just Go! When looking for an area that might have reduced or non-existent numbers of alligators. [Whats The Best Method? Leave no trace. 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). Ichetucknee offers some of the clearest and most beautiful spring fed rivers and lakes in all of Northern Florida. 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 . There are numerous places along the way that a kayaker could pull over for a quick swim in the various swimming holes and spring vents of varying depths. In addition, you can make some interesting stops along the river, such as River Rise Preserve State Park or Ginnie Springs Outdoors. Do You Need a License to Kayak In Minnesota? The park offers a 13-mile paddle trail for experienced kayakers but more importantly has no gators! It is not recommended for kayakers, as it can be dangerous to paddle amongst alligators. kayak or take a guided tour along the river, Florida is home to around 1.5 million alligators, life jacket can help you stay afloat if you fall in the water or your kayak, safety tips can help you stay safe while kayaking. Yes, there are scorpions in Big Bend National Park. The St. Johns River is an amazing place to go kayaking in Florida. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Kayakers should note that this destination isn't exactly crocodile free - after all wildlife do roam here - however sightings tend to be more rare in these regions (but still stay alert!). 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. One spot to check out is Wekiwa Springs State Park near Orlando. Most alligator fatalities are associated with wading, swimming, or snorkeling in fresh water. Yes! Manatee River. Good luck. If you are looking for an elusive kayaking experience in Florida sans gators, youre in luck! The best area to kayak in Bradenton is right by Coquina Beach: Coquina Beach is also known as Bradenton Beach and there is a giant bay area next to it where there are many open water and kayaking trails available to do the following things: Just explore the area. getupandgokayaking. Susan is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. In the end, we have outlined some safety tips for kayaking in Florida. We love outdoor adventures! The temperatures of the waters here remain slightly chilly. Noble Hammock is another one of the best places to kayak in Miami, FL. In the extreme circumstance that a large alligator lunges at or bites your boat, rap the alligator on its snout with your paddle and quickly paddle away. Well-marked and user-friendly, the 190-mile Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail is a paddler's paradise of secluded beaches and protected estuaries that are laced with mangrove islands and tunnels as well as tidal creeks. Besides, the waters of the Manatee River are quite shallow, making them suitable for beginner kayakers. Rentals and tours are available from Crystal River Kayak Company. This coastal area is known as one of the best places in Florida to see manatees. Flip flops or watershoes are appropriate to wear when kayaking in Florida, as when getting in and out of the kayak your feet will get wet. It would help to kayak in water without alligators or understand their behavior well before going in alligator-infested waters. Alligators can swim as fast as 20mph with the help of their tails and webbed feet. As you may know, Florida is home to around 1.5 million alligators. The waters are shallow, making them suitable for beginner kayakers. Just south from Lake Monroe County Park is another great spot for paddlers: Pretty Lake Canoe Trails located in Edgewater, FL. The Suwannee River: Start off in the swamps north of Okeechobee, then head along this stunning river as it winds its way towards Suwannees outlet bay coasts near Tampa Bay! Im Jay Schwartz, the author here at Kayak Guidance! And if luck favors - anglers can also find largemouth basses swimming across this clean river as well making fishing quite enjoyable too at times during peak seasons alright? Manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, and a large variety of birds. From here, countless springs pour into the river, making the water current faster. Our posts may contain affiliate links. Ichetucknee Springs, located in the Ichetuknee Spring National Park, is a popular destination in the summer for its water tubing. 3. Be aware of your surroundings at all times and keep a lookout for potential hazards. In addition there are plenty campgrounds located along this stretch so that you can take a break whenever needed and go back on the road afterwards with just minimal contact with alligators if at all!3. Stay calm: If you encounter an alligator while kayaking, stay calm and paddle away from it. We recommend sunscreen, bug spray, a good hat, and layers. FunOutdoorVentures.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
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