Florida Kayaker Forum

Yep

I paddled from Rogers Park about two and a half miles, I guess up the river to the beautiful clear areas and then back. Sometimes you can go with the current, but it wasn't hard to paddle against it either

Everyone i know gets out and swims on weeki wachi. Two hours is worth it, it's a beautiful river. You muggy not be able to get out where you get on the river but you can swim along the river.

I own Wandering Adventures and would love to get you on the water! I’m originally from the PCB/ 30a area!

You might fare better if you opt for silver springs instead of weeki wachee and rent a kayak with Discovery Kayaks. It's an easy float with the current and they drop you off and pick you up. www.discoverykayak.com/

You can rent right at Weeki

Or you can rent from Faith Lovemalloe at. www.facebook.com/groups/987014425368220/?ref=share

Make sure you book it at least a week ahead of time.

It’s a long drive from Sarasota.

2 hours would be a short trip at Weeki, you wouldn't get to make the whole run.

There are different size kayaks they rent... The river is beautiful..you really don't have to go into the park..thou for $13.50 at the park you get the mermaid shows and the water park that's in the spring.... Is an awesome day trip. We put in at Rogers park

Put him in a canoe. He'll be comfortable much longer than 2 hours. Can handle his weight/size much easier

I always use the Marina. There's lots of places to get out & swim on Weeki Wachee. www.weekiwacheemarina.com/

They rent them

Benny Arocho Calixto aren’t they less stable than a sit on top kayak? His balance isn’t great.

SUP WEEKI

I lived on weeki wachee and I am pretty big also. The best thing is to rent from state park. You must reserve ahead of time. It's all down stream so minimal paddling except curves.take your time yes it's 4 hrs but easy 4 hrs.if you go early you can catch second lift back and not be rushed. This is a very serene setting if you go Mon - Thurs Weekends not so much.pack a lunch lots of places to pull off and have a romantic lunch on the river. Not to many places you could fall out and not touch bottom so no fear of drowning required. Do sit on top kayaks canoes tip to easy. Have fun smell the great outdoors and if you are lucky you will get to see alligator climbing a tree LOL?!!

Mine are prescription, but I like the polarized best for on-water use. Not only best for your eyes, also cuts the water surface glare. Plus, get a good leash or you'll be buying another pair real soon.

Costa

My daughter bought me some polarized Ray Bans for Christmas. I loved them. They are in the bottom of the Ocklawaha. Now I have cheap polarized Walgreens sunglasses and floating leash. Hard lesson.

Costa

Hobie Everglades

Calcutta works great...Got a pair of Ray-bans sunk in Suwannee and one pair sunk in Santa Fe 🤣

Maui Jim’s are the bomb!!!

Anything that costs $5 because every expensive pair has ended up at the bottom of a body of water.

Costa

Shady Rays

Julbo makes the darkest lenses possible. Ultra dark spectron 4 lenses. Great for sun but no way can they be worn indoors, way too dark. Oakley Flak 2.0 is my default because it's dark enough and light enough for indoor and outdoor use

Costa

I love my Costas but this year manufacturing has been sent to China since Luxottica bought the out. Never again will I buy another pair. I do love my glass lenses. Last years and no scratches. I have since gotten a pair from Smith and i love them. But florida outdoors nothing better than Florida made Costas.

REVO! they made great lenses forever. I own 2 Costas and the REVOS beat them hands down.

Costas

Cheap fit overs, as I lose them frequently...

Costa del Mar 😎

I get the cheapest polarized ones I can find at Walgreens, CVS, etc. I lose them too often but can only wear polarized on the water.

Costa

Rayban

Shady Rays. They replace if lost or damaged.

Maui Jim.

Goodr! Www.goodr.com

ones that dont break

Costas and Rheos are the best. Both are polarized and Rheos float! www.rheosgear.com/

Let me know if interested in Silver River, could possibly do in Friday. As always weather appropriate.

Silver River is a great river. If you all are planning to go Friday I have Friday off.

Yes, best place to paddle in the state. Are looking for springs? rivers? Coastal?

Absolutely holy smokes we spent a week up there and still didn't touch everything

myfwc.com/recreation/lead/big-bend/paddling-trail/

Yep go to Google maps at select the area then search "boat ramps" they'll all pop up .. kinda cool works all over the world

Get the app, Go Paddling…FREE It will show every put in, anywhere you are! It’s great!!

There are so many places here. Saltwater, freshwater, river, bay, marsh, too many to list.

My personal opinion the kayaking there sucks. Full-blown sun not much to look at

Wide, wind prone and so much muck, but lots of gators

I agree with Katharine Stadler that the kayaking at Deleon Springs is nothing special. Very open with lots of vegetation in the water. I paddled to the eastern end of Lake Dexter and back. Not much to see so have not been back. In that area, Alexander, Juniper and Salt Springs are much better choices. Picture from Alexander.

There is a launch at the park far around to the left side facing the swimming area. I went in spring and saw lots of Manatee and interrupted some matting by accident. It is wide windy and not very clear. It is an out and back paddle. To the left is a lake to the right is a river. Not my favorite spot. There is a restaurant on the grounds that is said to be very good and the park is beautiful. If you never been I would say go and see it.

Any thoughts on Black Water Creek in Seminole State Forest, FL to Highbanks Marina?

Try Alexander Spring.

There is no access other than Deleon Springs State Park until you get over to the St. Johns River. From the state park launch to Lake Woodruff is 4.2 miles. From Lake Woodruff to Lake Dexter following along the north bank is about 3.2 miles. From Lake Dexter to Astor Landing boat ramp on the west side of the St Johns or to Bluffton Rec Area on the east side of the St. Johns is about 5.5 miles. This is a great birding paddle. However, as others have pointed out above, it can get windy and rough on the lakes and you are almost always exposed to direct sun, so it's a paddle best done in the winter time.

Where are the campsites located?

Dica Killian Araujo

How far from the river are they and what is the cost, please?

You had me at “dogs welcome”

Deanna Pratt Peterson

Info please!

Would love info!

Info please and thank you

We're starting it in January we only live about a quarter of a mile from the river we're offering kayak rental if you want to know more details instant message me.

More info please

I could help you put in and take out in Crystal River/Kings Bay if you would like. Depending on day you could get within feet from parking and launch spot. Also depending on day I could tag along if you would like. Feel free to PM me or call me. 352.287.2606 www.advkayaker.com

Thousand islands in cocoa beach

Wekiva

Rainbow River, the outfitters there do it all and it’s beautiful.

Salt Springs Marina is handicapped accessible & beautiful. The Run is gorgeous and easy to paddle.

Strava

Garmin

My android Samsung health app

Runkeeper

I use a Garmin GPS for tracking, but I do like the Navionics app for coastal paddles.

Underarmor “Map my Ride”… let’s you select kayaking. Amazing app for tracking.

apps.apple.com/us/app/watersports-tracker/id1224941533

Paddle Logger

About a 18 months ago just for grins I did some comparisons of phone apps against my Trimble (professional GPS unit) and my Garmin (GPSMap 78 sc). In technology, a lot can change in over a year but at that time Gaia, Strava, and MapMyFitness (Ride, Run, Walk, etc.) recorded the fewest outliers and thus were the most accurate for collecting tracks and waypoints. ("Outliers" are points outside the norm caused by poor satellite geometry, blocked reception or other interference.) But all of them are pretty accurate now, accurate enough to find a boat ramp or a campsite anyway, so I think it comes down to which additional features you're interested in or just which interface you like the most. Since most of them are free or have a free version and a paid version, I'd just download them 1 by 1 and see which one you like the most. But I'd check out 4 things. 1) How much storage space does it use for the background maps you want, 2) how intuitive does it seem to YOU to use, 3) can you export your collected data to .gpx and/or .kml format so you can share the files easily with friends or upload to GoogleEarth/Maps, and 4) how quickly does it drain the phone battery? That last one - battery drain - should probably be your primary concern because your phone is first and foremost your emergency communication device so you never want the battery to run down while you're on the water. (Which is why I use a dedicated GPS unit rather than my cell phone.) Don't worry if the app you like does not have a "kayaking" or "paddling" option. All that does is control the interval at which the track points are collected. Since recreational paddling is done at about the same speed as hiking, jogging, and mtn biking you can select any of those. Have fun!

Strava.

Water sports tracker

Runkeeper is great. I love getting lost on purpose. When I can’t find my way out of the mangroves, I open the app and follow my path back.

Thanks everyone ❤️

Map My Ride!

Strava

I usually use Map my ride with activity set to kayak. Also sometimes use Relive but that’s more to create a video overview after the fact with pics along the way.

Caynax. Free version includes "Auto pause" and "Auto Resume," which I find invaluable in stopping to take nature photos, so I don't have to touch the phone and waste time before I can get to the camera.

Map My Walk

What winter? 😂

I wish! lol

🙀😳???????

They go and hide in the springs

Sure they do

They go to Gainesville for the football games.

If that makes you feel better, then, yes…

I’m not an animal Expert but they almost hibernate. I hear they will just chill at the bottom of water and slow their heart beats down to like 1/hr. Nutso stuff.

😂😂😂😂 No alligators are here year around

I don’t think I’ve ever not seen them. They’re just more active in the spring because of mating.

In the colder climates they go into a state called Brumation.

They don’t go away….Florida isn’t cold in winter so they stay right where they are!

They don’t eat in the winter, except in the clearwater spring runs where the water is warm.

They dont go anywhere. The submerge to the bottom often and become more dormant in nature. The cold makes them more sluggish so its a good time to be on the water if they make you nervous

Cold weather, but you'🤣re in Florida, right?

Doesn't get that cold, they still swim across. Just have to warm in sun first.

They like to hangout at the kayak launches during winter.

They guide the way for Kayakers😎❗

no

Ah yes, the long awaited great Alligator migration... 🐊 🤣

No, we tie them to the kayaks like reindeers.

That’s hysterical!! Good one!! Kayaking Myakka River Thursday, wanna go? 🐊🐊🐊🐊

Winter??? We live in Florida.

🤣🤣🤣

Hilarious!! 🤣🤣 Good one!

Following. I've been hoping I can launch at Beacon 42 ramp on Wed night. I have plans to call the Coast Guard down there tomorrow.

You can see the launches from Orlando 90 miles away! so anyplace out on the water north or south of the space center will give you nice views.

Brian Dean

Living in St Cloud we watch from our driveway

You don’t need to get close to see the launch. By the way, the water near launch site are access controlled and patrolled by air and waterway. The gate is also closed.

Theres a whole bunch of restricted areas by the facility, an a couple of paddle only areas for manatees. Check nav charts. Almost got busted for taking my ski boat there.

The water is calmer inshore—try Indian River or Banana River. Mosquito Lagoon is likely to be inaccessible for many launches.

I called the Coast Guard station at Cape Canaveral this morning. They advised that the boat ramp at Beacon 42, the Banana River, and several miles out are restricted areas on launch night. The Intracoastal is a better bet.

If you have not already, I would strongly suggest that you take a lesson or two. In a couple of hours with a decent instructor, you will learn more than a month of struggling on your own. My bride and daughter took a lesson from Jax Surf & Paddle in Neptune Beach and it was money well spent. Here is my list of local launches, mostly in the vicinity of Orange Park. 1. Eagle Harbor Ramp (Doctors Lake) – Located at the north end of Lake Shore Drive. At high tide you can paddle east into Mill Cove and Moccasin Slough. This ramp is busy during the weekends. 2. Whitey’s Fish Camp (Swimming Penn Creek/Doctors Lake) – Located on Hwy 220 at Swimming Penn Creek. Busy on weekends. 3. Dogwood Lane, Orange Park – There is a little waterfront park at the end of Dogwood Lane on the north shore of Doctors Lake that you can launch from. 4. Club Continental – You can launch at the Club Continental Ramp located on Johnson Slough off of Astor Street in Orange Park. This is a good place to launch if you want to avoid power boats and paddle out for the July 4th fireworks at Moose Haven. I do not know if there is a prohibition on non-CC residents using the ramp. 5. Knight’s Marina (St Johns/Black Creek) – The county ramp located on Hwy 17 at the Black Creek bridge. Very busy on weekends. 6. Camp Chowenwaw (St Johns/Black Creek) – County Park located on the west side of Hwy 17 just south of the Black Creek bridge. This is an excellent alternative to Knight’s Marina but you have to carry your kayak about 100 yards. 7. Old Ferry Road Ramp (Black Creek) – Located off of Hwy 209 (Russell Road) just south of the Black Creek Bridge. 8. Middleburg Main St Ramp (Black Creek) – Take Blanding Blvd south across Black Creek bridge. Take first Left (Palmetto) the turn left on Main St. 9. Jennings State Forrest (Black Creek) – Located east of Middleburg off of Hwy 218 past JL Wilkinson Jr High School. Detailed map available at www.sjrwmd.com/recreationguide/jennings/. There are three launches but only the eastern is usable during low water. The current is swift so plan a one way trip to the Main Street Ramp. 10. Governor’s Creek Ramp (Governor’s Creek/St Johns) – Located on the north edge of Green Cove Springs on Hwy 17. 11. Old Shands Pier Ramp (St Johns) – Located on Hwy 16 just west of the Shands Bridge. Paddle north and explore the old Navy piers or south along the west bank. 12. Trout Creek Park (Trout Creek) – Take Hwy 16 east across the Shands bridge. Turn left on Collier Rd immediately after crossing Trout Creek bridge. Park is on left. 13. Palmo Fish Camp Ramp (Six Mile Creek) – Take Hwy 16 east across the Shands bridge. Stay on Hwy 13 southbound when Hwy 16 turns east. Make right turn on Palmo Fish Camp Rd immediately south of the Six Mile Creek Bridge. 14. Julington Creek – Kayak Launch located on Old St Augustine Road across from Publix just west of I-295.

I'll add to that list Goodby creek and pottsburg creek are decent. I've taken a hard paddle board out to Kayak Amelia, but not sure if I'd do an inflatable there with all the oyster beds.

A great place to Paddle around here if you like saltwater is to launch at the Alimicani Boat Ramp go left to Kingsley Plantation and walk around and if you go right under the bridge to Huegenot and play on the sand bars etc. it’s north of ferry on Hecksher Drive.

I did at beacon 42 a few weeks back

Bairs cove/haulover canal last month

Kiwanis Island was awesome 👌 and wasn't even close to the new moon

In Belize we have too

I went out this morning to Bairs Cove. It was awesome at 6 AM—just before sunrise.

Last night near manatee Park in cape Canaveral

Anybody seen any on the gulf coast?

Haulover last weekend was pretty nice.

I did barge canal from Kelly Park and Samson's Island, both were phenomenol

Turkey creek on Eglin AFB. You will need a sportsman pass to access it. If you go to South Alabama River Enthusiasts and search turkey creek you will find past events we created and the drop pins are on those events.

Boiling Creek can be clear too. Have to have an Elgin Pass, as Holley mentions above.

Coldwater Creek near Milton is probably the closest to you. Slightly tannin stained, but clear. And fun.

Also Cypress Springs on Holmes Creek near Vernon.

Holmes creek livery in Youngstown fl is clear ( depending on rain and such)

Turkey creek on Eglin AFB

Thanks everyone!

Headwaters of Magnolia River.. Magnolia Springs.. gets super clear upstream .. amazing place and in Alabama

Not me.

I have referred a couple of friends to the group.

David Urbiss When you goto the group home page is there a shield in the top right corner like the one on this screen shot?

I have an FB group with 20k plus members. Just this afternoon I had all kinds of wonky stuff going on and I played digital janitor for 2 hours cleaning up the mess. Weird stuff going on. Wouldn't say anything has been hacked. More like Zuck has his plugs in the wrong sockets temporarily.

No

Check Inverness. Nice area. Stayed there last spring. We did an AIRBNB

Ocala!

Try Comfort Inn on south Pine in Ocala, near everything but not on busy highway. if you like camping Juniper Springs Rec Area is a good place.

All the state parks are generally booked a year in advance. If you'll do semi-primitive camping (no hook ups, no electricity) but restroom on site, Gores Landing County Park is first-come, first get. Other public CGs taking reservations include: the Santos Trailhead Campground. Ross Prairie CG has hookups. Alexander Springs Rec Area and Juniper Springs Rec Area are on the Ocala National Forest - again mostly semi-primitive. Plus there are loads of motel rooms along the I-75 corridor and AirB&Bs in Ocala altho making reservations now for the holidays may be difficult. But you might find a cancellation.

abnb.me/ucUeAsbfqjb

Check ARBNB I do know most everything is booked up. Ppl book way early. Good luck

I'm in Salt Springs, close to many places to paddle and a lot of AirBnB - VRBO in our area.

I'll do the run with you if you want so we have a vehicle at both ends, I've been wanting to hit the Peace for a while

Following. Only the canoe outpost that I know of. We have been wanting to do Peace River but considering taking 2 vehicles to avoid shuttling and it's people

The outpost is in Arcadia and they only offer a six mile paddle shuttle with their vessels! I did find a taxi in Arcadia that will go but it is not too cheep. I may be easier to rent an enterprise car and have them pick me up!

your going the wrong way.. Paynes Creek ( Bowling Green) is 9 miles upstream from Pioneer Park ( Zolfo Springs)... gotta be good to paddle 9 miles upstream on the Peace this time of year

It usually hits a little bit there but too many city lights. Head over to bairs cove, its nice there!

Haulover canal. Best place I've seen it.

I was just there Sat and it was great. Take big screen and apply before you get to the put in.

Riverbreeze Park in Oak Hill is a good place. Also Beacon 42 was excellent.

Do the whole river. You can put in at Ray Wayside County Park, paddle upstream then float back down and not need a shuttle. Plus that gives you 2 opportunities to look for M&Ms (manatees and monkeys). 10.4 miles round trip. $5 parking at Ray Wayside - bring exact change to put in the envelope at the entrance. There is an aluminum boat ramp about 2 miles down from the head spring that makes a nice break spot with benches, picnic tables, and port-o-let.

You can park at the springs and pay $5 or $6 per kayak to launch. Paddle downstream a few miles and back up if you don’t want to paddle all the way up from Ray Wayside.

We went with our own kayaks on Tuesday. We launched at park. We paddled to springhead, down river to the turn and up fort. Didn't think my shoulder would let me paddle all the way up from Ray wayside. Even so, We saw manatee, monkeys, alligators.. all came out to visit.

Awesome place, when I was there I also saw monkeys, and alligators.

You can also paddle 1-way. Both the concessionaire at the state park and Discovery Tours offer shuttles from Ray Wayside County Park back to your car at Silver Springs State Park. www.silverriverkayakrentals.com/shuttle-service For weekends I would reserve the shuttle in advance. If your boats are better than plastic I would use Discovery. (You don't have to sign up for one of their tours to get a shuttle - they're a full service rental, touring, shuttle place.)

First time I went Mike Sage of Silver Springs Kayaking took us. Then we went by ourselves. if you do it without a tour and you can get an Uber if needed. silverspringskayaking.com/

Can I jump in and ask if The SUP experience is decent on this river? Or should we opt for our kayaks/canoe?

Our favorite place!

Yulia Volinski

Parrish Park

Haulover canal. Lots of it around the launch ramp, especially when you startle a group of young mullet. There is usually a few tour groups in the area though but easy to avoid.

Just went this weekend to beacon 42 , it got brighter and brighter after midnight. And then 1000s of mullets put on a show! You could hear them coming!!

Just left haulover canal. That was amazing to see. BEAUTIFUL

Beacon 42 or Kelly Park

Jealous!

Titusville is best. Look up beacon 42. Otherwise merritt Island put in at kelly park and paddle through the channel north of the bridge.

I did the Haulover canal last August. Paddled out from the launch ramp in the afternoon, saw manatees, gators, dolphins and stingrays. At the end of the canal, to the right is a small hidden beach we pulled out at until the evening. You can see the launch pads at cape Canaveral from there. As we headed back it got dark and bioluminescence started to get brighter and brighter. Cool to see schools of mullet get disturbed and giving a light show as they scarpered. Would highly recommend that trip.

A week ago we put in at haulover canal. Launched from bairs cove...manatees galore around boat ramp and a 12 ft gator cruising up the canal...then the sun went down and the dolphins came out to play by the bridge. It was amazing!

Thanks everyone for the advice, my group made a successful trip to haulovers channel and the lagoon NE of there to see the water glow. I would advise others to be prepared for the tidal current and mosquitos, both of which were fierce. All and all well worth the trip.