Florida Kayaker Forum

To get to Three Sisters, you have to launch somewhere and paddle over. It’s not shallow once you get out of the launch. However, the spring head itself closes when the manatees are in, so you have to stay at the opening. Weeki is shallow in some places, but should be mostly ok.

Three Sisters Springs - when you're allowed in - is ok. Weeki Wachee Springs - fenced off, not allowed to enter.

You may need to get in the boat channels for three sisters from hunter springs depending on the tide. It was extremely shallow the other day at low tide. Just something to be aware of.

Ok thank you, planning a trip to Tampa and wanted to kayak some other places

Can't speak for Weeki but 3 sisters is a breeze. No shallows but 1 spot just exiting Hunter springs. Everywhere else you're in water 5 or more feet.

I have seen them in both places

Have pedaled both no problems

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GoPro Hero 7

Gopro9

Olympus TG 6 and GoPro 7. Go Pro I can't stand!

Gopro 7 black but going to get a tg6 soon... it is the superior camera by far

Gopro 5, 7, and sessions 4 and 5.

GoPro 8. We also just did the subscription and the video editor and the unlimited storage is nice for $50 a year. Not to mention you get total replacement no question asked and discounts on gopros and gopro accessories.

GoPro 9 hero works great for us Dry Pocket Apparel

The TG-6 video is good, depending on your settings, but there is a background grinding noise if you zoom in and out during the recording. Otherwise it's quick and easy. If the audio is not super important or you don't zoom a lot it's a good option for occasional use.

Salt run (the bay where Anastasia is) is a great area. It's about 3 miles to the downtown area if you want to paddle all the way. There are launches all over the place. Stop in at St Augustine Paddle Sports and they can give you some good spots to go.

Hi Barry, I like to launch behind the lighthouse. Free parking and free launch. You can paddle over to Anastasia from there. Also it's a short paddle up to the Conch House and around the marina. From there you can kayak to the fort. I don't kayak to the fort from there personally since I am usually kayaking it by myself. There is a bit of open water by the seawall behind the houses but you'd be fine. When I paddle to the fort, I personally launch from the Vilano Boat ramp. It's free too. It would be pretty at night with all the lights this time of year.

Salt Run is a good one. It's protected so you don't need a sea kayak but they'll work just fine. We usually put in at the beach launch within Anastasia State Park next to Anastasia Watersports, paddle down to the St Augustine Inlet and back. Lots of marinas with beautiful boats to one side, pristine barrier island on the other. 5-6 miles total. Kayaking by the Fort, if you have not done it, is a treat as well and can be included with the Salt Run paddle. Just to the south is Pellicer Creek with Favor Dykes State Park on the north side and The Princess Place on the south side. You can go up the creek towards I-95 or down and paddle out amongst the salt marshes and mud flats. Watch the tides there, you don't want to get stuck out on the mud flats for 6 hours! Or just to the north is Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMR) and Guana WMNA. Altho most of it is closed off during hunting seasons you can do about a 10 mile paddle.

We went Wednesday. Did the out and back from Rays. Saw 6-7 manatees. No monkeys. The current is no joke going up from Rays. You feel it by the top of the springs. We’ve never shuttled but if you have 2 cars it’s an easy float springs to wayside. It’s just a bit short for me.

Yes kayak from head spring to rays wayside and shuttle back. Definitely worth it. Lots of manatee. The water is crystal clear all the way through. Easy float down. There has been some monkey about a mile or so from rays as you are heading down.

The water is looks clearer up around the springs (first mile or so of the river) where there are sandy bottoms but right now it's pretty good all the way down. The current is also running pretty fast right now, so going upstream is a workout but definitely doable. Just go slow on the way up and enjoy the float back down. Doing an up-and-back is what we usually do coz it gives us 2 opportunities to see the M&Ms. The manatees swim up and down the river, so no telling really where you will find them but we saw 6-7 on Thursday spread around 5 different spots. One good place to look for them is at the bottom of the island opposite from the point where the Ft King Trail meets the river. They like to go in there, out of the current, and sleep. Same with the monkeys, they travel in and out of the forest, up and down the river, wherever the eating is best that day.

if it's any help ive seen the Ocklawaha clear in most spots most of the way down to Gore's as long as it isnt disturbed too much

Launch from the springs for sure! Not nearly as beautiful or clear launching from Rays. You can go under the bridge & head to the headsprings first where the glass bottom boats launch. That way you're going downstream & it is an easier paddle for a newbie. Then when you get tired go back through Fort Kings Trail on the way back. We saw several manatee on Saturday 💙 Have fun!

3 to 4 hours

Put in at Chassahowitzka River Campground. $5 parking fee, $7 for car with trailer. Pay at the little store and ask them for a map. Weekends and holidays I'd be there before 9 am to get a parking spot. We usually try to be there by 8:30 so we're on the water about 9 am. Concrete boat ramp and nice little sandy beach to launch. When on the main river be sure to stay to the sides in shallow water. The motor boats in the main channel will not slow down for you. From launch, go east (right) and take the first creek to the north (left) to visit Seven Sisters. Go there first coz it's within inflatable rafting distance and gets overloaded quickly. Return to the river and paddle downstream past the launch. Take the second creek to the south (left). That's Baird Creek. Follow it all the way to the end to visit The Crack - a great spring-fed swimming hole. How far you can get a boat up the creek will depend on the tide. You may have to tie up to a tree and walk 100-200 feet if tide is low. Go back down Baird Creek to get to the river again and from there it's up to you where you want to explore. We usually go on downstream to Salt Creek or Potters Creek - both on your right behind 3 islands. We frequently see otters around the islands. We follow Salt or Potter Creek as far as we can go, just exploring and watching the birds and crabs. Again, how far up the creeks you can get will depend on the tide. Have fun.

Cliff … Chass is my favorite Florida paddle… DCB gave you all the info …once you get past the launch going towards Gulf… wonderfully peaceful… enjoy being home for Thanksgiving

Went there on Monday morning and had it (and the manatees) to ourselves for quite a while before the late risers got there!

Get there early. Seven sisters and the parking lot fill up quick.

Rainbow River if you want to do a bit of swimming and snorkeling, too. Silver River if you want to see wildlife. Lots of motels in Ocala area from cheap to expensive. Also some B&Bs, rental homes, and camping on the 2 state parks or nearby Ocala National Forest.

Silver, Alexander and Juniper Springs are all great kayaking locations that are located reasonably close to each other. All have camping. Camp at Juniper because it is located in the middle and hit all three.

Check our king's landing.. it one of the closest spring to us 😉 and it is amazing

Loxahatchee is closest and a wonderful day trip near Jupiter FL

To answer your question, I might suggest staying in Ocala. It’s centrally located in relation to all the best kayaking spots! Of course you will have to travel to the various springs but it would be a great base camp location.

Thanks everyone! ❤️

Buy the parking pass and it's 24 hours till it expires

I've always wondered this too. I've been in Florida since I was a kid and don't do cold very well!

Honestly you want up as you get moving. I wear a pair of leggings and a long sleeve UV shirt and do ok. Wait for the sun to come out a little. We rarely have daytime temps in that temperature rage. Just skip that day or two. Lol.

I chuckled so much at your post! Are you a MN native? Just wondering as most don’t seem to mention my home state too often 😀

You don't say where your kayaking so this can only be very general. Dress for the colder of the water or air temp. Wind can also be a big factor. 65 and calm is very different from 65 with a 15 mph wind. Thick scuba wetsuits don't work well, skin tight = too tight, but thinner, stretchy (1.5 mm) neoprene pants or Farmer Jane work. Ocean paddling where you can't get to land quickly is a whole 'nother story and you really need a wet suit or dry suit. For all else, here's what I do. Layering is the key. From April thru October I normally wear a long-sleeved sun shirt, capri pants, sand socks, sandals, straw hat, and fingerless sun gloves. When it gets chilly I add a fleece vest up top, switch to 1.5 neoprene pants and trade in the sandals for neoprene booties. When it's cold, I'll add a dry jacket and dry pants over that and go to knee-high neoprene boots. I'll also swap my fingerless sun gloves for neoprene and my straw hat for a ball cap with ear flaps. And always carry a dry change of clothes in a dry bag.

We kayak all year long in SWFL...same outfit summer or winter...sunscreen on legs, shorts, long sleeve uv shirt, hat to protect ears/neck, water shoes. Winter is best here...no 330pm storms. Just watch forecast for wind & coefficient.

1.5 mm wetsuit shorts and jacket. I’m a sissy in cold water! 🥶🤣

I mean, we go on days like today in just regular clothing. 55° is weather I don’t kayak in, because, it might as well be snow 🤣

Leggings and a long sleeve sun shirt, if you wear a jacket you will be shedding it after a mile. I either dry my feet after I get in the boat and wear Crocs or my neoprene water booties. The water will be warmer than the air early morning and by 12 it will be 60 to 70.

I live on the Georgia/Florida line where I95 crosses. It was 39 this morning, it's 72 now. Fall, Winter and Spring is prime paddling season for me as it is to hot in the Summer. I wear quick dry pants and a quick dry top as the sun is nasty.

Here's our paddling day. Probably the most gorgeous day ever, but a bit chilly. Sun will be warm though.

Always dress for the water. Not the just the outside temp.

layers, waterproof windbreaker top, thermal below

And Tevas or similar sandals on your feet—they will get wet.

My wife and I have been fortunate enough to have lived on the Ichetucknee for more than 20 years. Just have a pair of gloves and wear layers of clothes that you can peel off. Next Tuesday is projected to be the cold day but it will be full sun which will provide warmth. I would have a wool cap and a ball cap to switch into. You just might be hitting the peak of the color change. Photos from today down River from the state park. Have a great time.

Layers for sure. I wear smart wool socks with my water shoes and the feet stay pretty warm. If it's cold enough to need gloves, I don't paddle....LOL

Layer, then take off as needed. I always make sure I have one thin windbreaker type. Bring an extra pair of socks and shoes left in the vehicle just in case.

I'm such a wimp, all my friends are bundled up and paddling and I'm just all "nope" 🤣 In my defense I have hardware in both my knees and when that crap gets cold it makes getting out of the yak hard.

You do know the north put-in at the Ich is closed this winter, right?

I would recommend layers. I’ve been kayaking when it’s been as cold as the mid-30s for morning lows. Unless we’re getting an “arctic blast” or it stays extremely overcast all day, it usually warms up even if it starts out cold. So it’s nice to start with warmer layers that you can remove as it warms up. You’ll also want to consider how sunny/shady it will be where you’re going. The sun is really intense in Florida, and it can be hot in the sun even when it’s chilly in the shade. A lot of hiking clothes can be used (rain pants with a warmer layer underneath if it’s going to be shady/overcast vs nylon hiking pants if it’s going to be sunny and in the mid-50s). I have a sit-in kayak, so I’ve just worn wool socks with tevas (but full disclosure Birkinstocks with socks are my winter shoes on land). I usually layer a quick-drying shirt with a fleece jacket, I’ll wear a wind stopper jacket if it’s really cold and windy (especially if we’re launching before the sun is up), and I bring a fleece vest to swap out to later when it’s sunny and warmer. I wear a fleece hat if it’s really cold/windy and bring a ball cap for when it warmer/sunny. And I have a pair of fleece gloves that I’ll wear when it’s cold and fingerless paddling gloves for when it warms up/gets sunny.

layers it'll be cold in the morning but it'll warm up in the afternoon and you're going to want to take some off. the wind here is the main issue so a good windbreaker really helps

I want to reiterate something here since everyone else seems to be responding to AIR temperatures. Every outing ON the water can end up with you IN the water. So ALWAYS DRESS FOR THE COLDER OF THE AIR TEMP AND THE WATER TEMP. "The sudden lowering of skin temperature on immersion in cold water represents one of the most profound stimuli that the body can encounter." www.coldwatersafety.org/ It leads to the inability to control your breathing. You can die from cold shock within 1 minute. Cold shock reaches its maximum intensity in water between 50-60F - about the time we're putting on long pants and a sweater in air temp. Any water temp lower than 70 degrees (and that includes many of our springs) should be treated with respect and you should be wearing your PFD because if you fall in without one, cold shock can kill before you reach the surface. A foam PFD will also provide some insulation to your body core. Inflatable PFDs provide no insulation and may take more than a minute to inflate and/or arrange properly around your body.

Marcella Ruso

I have a vhf radio and small emergency response beacon with me in my ditch bag