Weeki Wachee River - Fresh Water Adventure

___________________________________________________________________ ​ “You guys ready?” one of the workers asked. My friend Amanda and I gave them both a quick thumbs up as they pushed our kayak off the launch pad - our 2.8 mile long kayak adventure was officially underway. ___________________________________________________________________

By: Maddi Dolan

Published: September 13, 2021

The bright yellow tandem kayak rocked as we eagerly climbed aboard, life vests on and paddles in hand. Fresh water splashed up from the sides of the boat, slightly cooling us off from the sweltering 90 degree Florida heat. Two workers quickly grabbed the sides of the kayak, steading it as we got ourselves and our belongings situated inside.

Florida’s summer temperatures have both tourists and locals swarming to the nearest pools or beaches, but there are plenty of stay-cool options for exploring the great outdoors, too. Before summer ended, I made it a mission to take a day trip to one of Hernando County’s most unique kayaking experiences, Weeki Wachee River, which is just a 1-hour drive north of Tampa.

“You guys ready?” one of the workers asked. My friend Amanda and I gave them both a quick thumbs up as they pushed our kayak off the launch pad - our 2.8 mile long kayak adventure was officially underway.

The first thing I noticed, was the water. The color was a pale aquamarine, so clear that I felt as though I was looking through a pane of glass; you could see straight down to the white, sandy bottom. The experience was incredible, I’ve never seen anything like it.

It made me realize that this place is a nature lover's hidden treasure, and I was determined to tell people about it, so they could experience it too.

At 11 a.m, the sun was already blazing hot, but thankfully we didn’t feel much of it. We spent the majority of our time in the shade, as a portion of the river is covered by a canopy of cypress, oak and palm trees.

Weeki Fresh Water Adventure offers self guided kayak and paddleboard tours every single day from 9am-2pm. Be sure to book a reservation ahead of time because time slots fill up quickly and reservations are required. No walk-ins are accepted.

Weeki Fresh Water Adventure also is the only kayak and paddleboard rental facility located on the river at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. The crystal clear water and astonishing wildlife has turned this river into a huge attraction, and for good reason.

As an inexperienced kayaker, I can say that Weeki Wachee River is perfect for beginners. The river consists of just one long path which is easy to navigate, and the current allows you to just float along it so there’s no need for any vigorous paddling.

I recommend staying light on the paddling but heavy on the steering - you’ll see what I mean.

The time slot for each reservation is two hours, so take your time and enjoy the relaxing experience. I noticed that it’s easy to overlook the natural beauties of the river and speed through the course in just one hour, so slow down and make the most out of your time.

If the water is warm enough, I recommend parking your kayak in a shallow, sandy area and going for a swim. Make sure that your kayak is pushed far enough onto the sand bank so that it doesn’t float away. We may or may not have had to swim after our kayak, which was floating down the river.

There are also plenty of rope swings and platforms to jump off of in deeper areas of the river, so take advantage of those and have fun! I can close my eyes and hear the laughter and shrieks of both children and young adults as they climb makeshift ladders built into trees and jump off of epic rope swings into the sparkling waters. Before taking the plunge, make sure to check your surroundings to ensure no one is below you.

All this fun sure can make you hungry…

I highly recommend bringing food so that you can have a relaxing picnic in your kayak. A friend recommended it to me and I’m so glad we did! But be sure to bring your food and drinks in reusable / non-disposable containers because the park does not permit disposable containers of any kind, including water bottles. They will search your belongings upon entry.

Amanda and I stopped at a local Publix on our way to Weeki Wachee to pick up a couple of sub sandwiches, and we brought Tupperware containers from home to store the sandwiches in.

The park has a non-disposable policy because it is a part of the Green Initiative. Weeki Wachee river is a gorgeous place, and they want to keep it that way. They do not want guests to potentially ruin the natural beauty and harm wildlife that live on the river.

Speaking of wildlife, the Weeki Wachee River ecosystem is filled with different fish, turtles, otters and manatees.

The gentle giants that you may have a chance to see on your kayak adventure are endangered West Indian manatees. According to Fresh Water Adventure employee, Mike, the best time to spot a manatee at Weeki Wachee is earlier in the morning, especially during the cooler months, ranging from October to February. But he did mention that the chances of spotting a manatee are pretty good any time of year because the river usually ranges from 72-76 degrees, which makes the manatees feel comfortable and safe.

I remember the sheer excitement on Amanda’s face when she spotted a manatee swimming along our kayak towards the end of our trip down the river. She reached for her phone so quickly that she almost flipped our kayak over.

“Oh my Gosh, it’s right there!” she shouted, “Do you see it? It’s right there!” She pointed with her paddle, making sure I wouldn’t miss it as it swam underneath our kayak.

It was the perfect way to end our time on the Weeki Wachee River.

At the end of your journey down the river, you’ll arrive at a dock for pickup. Staff will help you out of your kayak and load up your boat. Weeki Fresh Water Adventure also provides a shuttle to take you back to the starting location.

I hope you have an unforgettable trip down the Weeki Wachee River.

__________________________________________________________________

Address:

6131 Commercial Way

Weeki Wachee FL 34606

Rental Fee:

Single Kayak Rental: $32

Tandem Kayak Rental: $48

Paddleboard: $32

Contact:

(352) 597-8484