Name: Weeki Wachee Paddle Tour
Start: 2024-09-21T08:00:00-04:00
End: 2024-09-21T14:00:00-04:00
Location: Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Kayak Rentals

Paddle miles of unspoiled natural beauty, on this winding turquoise river with pristine clarity, and an abundance of wildlife, like manatees
About this Event

The Weeki Wachee is a true gem of West Central Florida. This narrow spring-fed river is family-friendly, perfect for wildlife viewing, and boasts some of the most beautiful scenery of any Florida waterway.

We'll meet at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and your friendly guide will outfit you with quality, fitted, stand up paddleboard gear. After a brief safety and paddle technique briefing, we'll launch into the glistening river. We'll begin with just a short distance upstream near the headsprings to the view the clearest, bluest section of river. It'll be all downstream from there and the swift current makes it easy enough for inexperienced paddlers (and those who just want to enjoy a lazy morning on the river) to glide with the flow, including plenty of places to pull over and take a dip at spring vents, or stretch at sandbars along the way.

The first portion of the journey within the state park is surrounded by protected wetlands and forest. Wading birds, schools of mullet, turtles, and manatees are some of the animals you’ll likely see on or near the water as the river twists and turns. After several miles as we near the Gulf of Mexico, the river widens to residential waterfront properties until the takeout point at Rogers Park. There, we will shuttle back to the state park parking lot.

Directly across from Rogers Park, which has restrooms and a small beach, is the Upper Deck restaurant on the water, where we can grab a drink and bite to eat after our adventure.

What's Included:

All Stand Up Paddleboard Gear
4 hour Guided Eco Tour with experienced and certified guides/instructors
Launch Fee ($10 value)
SUP Instruction
Shuttle Ride
Trip Photos
Paddle Tribe

Other Ticket Options Include:

BYOBoard/Paddle Craft for a discount

Cancellations/Refunds: Because we must make and pay for launch reservations in advance (required by the state park), refunds are given with up to 48 hours notice.

Paddle Skill Level: All Levels, paddle endurance recommended for 5.5 mile distance. Instruction provided for beginners. Must know how to swim. Kids 13 and under may ride along for free with a parent.

Distance: 5.5 miles mostly downstream and with plenty of time to drift, take breaks, stop and smell the flowers. Paddle endurance recommended as the downstream current decreases as we get closer to the takeout at the end.

Bring: Towel, dry bag, dry change of clothes. Water, snacks/picnic lunch - all items must be in reusable containers (see prohibited items below). If you're bringing your own paddle craft, a life vest and whistle are required by law. The following items are not allowed on the Weeki Wachee River: alcoholic beverages, pets, disposable items including but not limited to plastic, aluminum, glass, styrofoam paper, and fireworks are all prohibited.

Wear: sunscreen, hat, sunglasses (with straps), apparel that is easy to move in and can get wet (like dry wicking workout clothes or swimwear).

Time: Arrive at 8a or with enough time to have gear ready to launch at 8:30a - this means boards fully inflated, etc.

Parking: Enter the state park and go to the back left of the paved parking lot where you'll see kayak rental signs and a dirt road that leads to the kayak launch with it's own parking lot.

Shuttle: Weeki Wachee State Park only provides a shuttle for the shorter 2.5 mile takeout within the park. Our full tour will go beyond that to Rogers Park at 5.5 miles. We will shuttle you back to the state park, a 10 minute drive away in one to two trips - we appreciate your patience during this process. Participants also have the option to skip the shuttle and uber for a quicker return. Rogers Park takeout is located at 7244 Shoal Line Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34607.

Guide: Jessica Cichra is a SUP enthusiast that has been actively paddle touring, racing, surfing, and instructing since 2009. She is the founder of Wave of Wellness, a company with a mission to empower clients through adventurous activities that enhance all areas of well-being with a focus on travel, SUP, yoga, and community. Jessica guides paddle tours in the greater Orlando area and internationally on adventure travel retreats. She is also an industry representative as a sponsored ambassador/athlete for Werner Paddles and Local Honey Designs.

Tips are highly appreciated if you believe your instruction, service, and experience to be exceptional!

IMPORTANT: In the event of inclement weather, you will be notified via Eventbrite email at least 3 hours prior to start time of a reschedule. We only reschedule so your experience will be safe and enjoyable.

*Because we can’t control nature, manatee encounters are not guaranteed. This is definitely a place they frequent and if we’re lucky we will paddle with them!