Florida Kayaker Forum

Wacissa river springs

Wiki Wachee? Not sure if you can bring alcohol. We put in at Rogers Park. There were plenty of holes to swim in upriver.

Gator 🐊 mating season. Sure you want to bring your dog??

Ohhhh I have none of the above but I would like to participate!!

I’m a Jehovah’s Witnesses and I’m just curious about your church/religion. I don’t generally see other religions engaging in ministry work like we do. Actually, I have only ever seen Mormons.

Many many Christian churches have ministries

Thoughts and prayers

Curious, have you thought about asking people who already have their own kayaks to join you so you can minister to them?! Kayaks for Christ?!

"Ministry" by definition can mean both the expression of and the spreading of a faith. So it can include an activity within a religious community - many religious institutions have a "youth ministry", for example, with sermons and activities specifically addressed to the needs of kids and young adults. It can also mean a sharing from the religious community with the outside community - providing money, volunteers and/or space for a food pantry, a special collection for a relief fund, etc. And it can also include evangelical work - actively spreading the word to the general public. Within evangelical work there is generally considered to be pulpit ministry (the preacher's sermons or preaching on a street corner), passive ministry (individuals speaking informally with other individuals within their circle of friends or co-workers or simply living their lives in a way that expresses their faith through kindness and readiness to help others), and aggressive planned ministry (walking up to a complete stranger and attempting to engage them).

Just please don't recruit for your religion on the river. That's all I ask.

I haven't seen any gators on the Chaz except a baby near the crack. Where were the big Gator sightings at I'm out there every weekend and I haven't heard anything.

Kings landing

Gators don’t eat kids, either 😬 But if you mean for lots of swimming areas? Ginnie ONLY ON WEEKDAYS, rainbow is good, too.

I go to Hunter Springs and then over to Three Sister and the Rainbow usually.

Keep telling people about the gators...it helps keep the numbers down....😬😩😂

Kings landing and paddle the emerald cut

The only big gators I’ve seen at chassahowitzka is where it gets salty, haven’t seen many big ones close

Rainbow River only has small Gators that I have seen. Great place to paddle and swim

Guys alligators are everywhere in Florida waters. If you’re seeing little ones, there’s also big ones 🤦🏼‍♀️ be mindful and you can be safe but don’t forget alligators know how to trick prey into getting too close 🙄 if she doesn’t wanna deal with gators this trip, she doesn’t want to. There’s nothing wrong with wanting an easier paddle for children.

Santa fe river lake city

All the springs have gators

KP Hole to Rainbow headspring easy paddle and lots of otters, you can tie up and swim at several spits and at the park then lunch when u get back to kp

Alexander springs

Rainbow

I take my family to the Chaz, and we haven't ever had any sort of issue with the wildlife at all.

I've seen plenty of gators in Rainbow River, by the way..................but I still go there and swim/snorkel and take my grandsons (one is now 7, but he was swimming there when he was 5).

We only saw a single baby gator at the Chaz last week.

Never seen a gator on the Chaz. I know they are there but never seen one

Never seen a gator on the Chazz. They all have gators. I took my daughter canoeing before she turned 2. Don’t go on Myakka. That one truly is gator infested

Come to the Homosassa River! Stay at the Upper Deck vacation rental where kayaks are included and you can paddle to Monkey Island (yes, real monkeys real island) or paddle to the blue waters of the Homosassa Springs and swim. www.facebook.com/vacationwithmanatees

Silver River from either Silver Springs in Ocala or Ray's Wayside out and back. Lots of birds, monkeys and often manatees along the way.

They make gloves you can wear which will prevent the blisters.

In mountain biking we use hair spray, slick to slide on then sticks in place when dry and not so tenacious of a bond that you can remove them if necessary

I used tennis racket tape and a little electrical tape to secure it

🦍 glue

Remove the grips and buy Crew Stop Paddling gloves. www.thecrewstop.com/shop

Wear paddling gloves…

I don’t like wet gloves on all day. I used this tape to solve the problem.

i wonder if locktite spray adhesive would work. i use it on a lot of different things

If you mean the Yak Grips fold over each end about a 1/4” and they will not slide as much.

Sailing gloves

I like to launch at the causeway, head to the north side for some spoil islands and south side towards the lighthouse

Ask about red tide blooms. I saw a photo this morning of dead fish floating in St James City which is near Sanibel.

Island A...............

Ding Darling

We just did the launch at Tarpon Bay explorers, $7 per boat. Nice mangrove trail. Drove through Ding Darling, you park on the right and launch right there at the water. $10 per car to get in park. Not crowded at all.

Juniper Run and Chassowitzka

Silver springs and kings landing

Dunedin Causeway to Three Rooker, on a good day onto the Anclote light.

Anywhere there's water 😁

Don Pedro State Park, if the cul de sac ever gets fixed so you don’t have to carry 100 yards to put in!

Highland Beach campsite in the Everglades.

The water😉

Silver River

The part between the Atlantic and the Gulf 😊

Caladesi

Freshwater: North Withlacoochee from State line to SRSP Saltwater: St Vincent Island, Florida Bay

Indian key

The loxahatchee river in Jupiter

Silver springs

Lido key was the coolest experience!! The mangroves were covered in little crabs. Then had a few manatees playing with our kayak when we hit the main water

Chaz, Weeki

Pick a spot Florida its Beautiful

St. Joe bay

Juniper

Big Shoals on the Suwannee River!

Silver Spring. Never get tired of this River!

Honeymoon Island

Secret ---- and I'm not sayin...

Weeki Wachee. 💗

Salt water

Rodgers park

Do you mean where to go for the best or do you want to build one?

jetdock.com

We had part of our dock lowered.

this is the best one I have seen at a launch and it wouldnt have to concrete just like the rails to pull yourself up. I like the way you can pull the kayak up into the slip.

Some sort of ramp always works better than a dock. But, if you are stuck with a dock, or don't have room for a ramp, then I like steps parallel to the dock that are below the water line. Two 8-12" wide steps about ankle deep and calf deep allow much easier entry since it puts your butt about even with the kayak seat.

www.yakport.com

It really depends on a number of things…. Do you already have a dock? Do you have a tidal rise and fall…or steady water level? Could you slide a concrete ramp with rubber matting into a gentle slope along the bank and add a handrail? If you do a search for kayak launch ramps you’ll come up with a variety. I personally like the rubber matted ramp w/handrails along the rainbow river. But if you have a tidal flow…then a floating launch is better.

This is an outfitters dock on Hilton Head Island. They have about a 6ft tidal flow.

I used the go-paddle app. It satellites all the known launch places. You can read comments, gps directions etc. To answer your question, I always wear water shoes. If you use a sloping entry point, just get in knee deep and your more accessible to her her into hers.

They had that on Las Olas riverside

Kings Bay park in Crystal River to go to 3 sisters. Is amazing. Its works great for my partially paralyzed dad to get in and out of a kayak

Snooks Haven Park is very easy!

Tons of alligators at Snook Haven

Vamo S. Lido mangroves

Cockroach bay

A ladder in a place on dock where the kayak can be parallel to dock is easy to get in and out.

Best place I like to launch is not a dock. I’d much prefer to just go in from a Sandy type beach area.

I personally like a firm sandy open area to launch.

Yes doggies. Yes cooler. Dont forget there's NO alcoholic beverages allowed (legally 😉) on Weeki Wachee

Go early to get a spot at Rogers park , price went up to $10.00 for parking. Yes, you can have a dog and cooler on the river. The river is a lot more crowded than it used to be.

Doggies are the best at Weeki!! And the river is perfect to stop and have lunch on. There are lots of little beach areas to picnic on. Be careful with parking tho. Get there early or there won’t be anything available! Parking is bad.

I went there Thursday. We got there about 9:15 and there was only a few cars. By 9:45 is was BUSY! It was $10 flat. It just said no glass and that dogs had to be on a leash. I paddled about 3.5 miles up and made it to the edge of the state park where you can’t get off and swim and floated back. It was FABULOUS! Lots of little places to stop and swim along the way. Coming back we were able to float but we were also fighting the tide coming in so the water was at least three feet higher so all the nice little beach spots were gone on the way back. There was also an ice cream and hot dog guy about a mile from the park. That was fun. We want to go back for sure.

No

That’s usually what is allotted if you rent directly from weeki Wachee park but you are also only paddling 2.9 miles. Look up the kayak shack but you will be paddling against the current to begin with.

No we’ve been out for 7 hrs. Try different rental places. Kayak Shack is my fav.

Day Rental!

I went a couple of months ago and finished the entire thing in an hour. It used to be a lot longer but now they cut you off before you get to the river

Rent from Weeki Wachee Marina. Paddle up and ride the flow back down. Have to be there before 1 and you can stay out until 5

Rent from a third party outfitter like Paddles Up Adventures. They will bring your boats to the top of weeki and meet you at the bottom (Roger’s Park) when you’re ready. All you have to do is show up, float down, then get home safely. They do all the heavy lifting! It’s super convenient and easy. I’ve rented from paddles up a few times!

No it’s all day. Two hours is the time it can take if you paddle straight through and get on the return bus back. You can use them all day. People always ask how long does it take and when I worked there we’d say it depends on you. Two hours minimum, possible 4-5 hours depending on if you doddle or get to Rogers Park and stay to swim.

Thousand islands up in cocoa has nice mangrove tunnels. Put in at bird road park

Crane creek; Ballard Park; Ramp Road in Cocoa Beach

Long point park

In sebastian launch from Donald Macdonald campground or that boat ramp a little further in.

My favorite short paddle…st johns fish camp. Just a bit north of sebastion inlet. Off A1A at south beach community center. Old florida trail.

Wabasso has a ez launch from sand in the road that takes you from us1 to a1a

These all look awesome. New to the Palm Bay/ Melbourne area too!

Facebook Marketplace? Now i wanna see pics...

Hunter springs is nice also

Hunter spring park

Nice area but FWC is there all the time. Wanted to get out and swim but couldn’t dock on the rocks. Understandable but that part was crappy. However, really pretty area and saw 6 or 7 manatee. Still enjoyed ourselves

We have always launched from Kings Bay Park. It's about a 35-45 minute paddle. Fairly easy paddle. We have taken our son @ 10 years old and other newbie paddlers with no.problems. enjoy, it is beautiful there.

We launched from Crystal River Kayak Company. Very calm sheltered water to get there - with the option of going out in the bay if desired. (I was not confident enough of a beginner adult to go through the bay but went out once I got more comfortable)

Launch from Crystal River Kayak Company and Dive Center easiest paddle I know of. You're about 10 minutes from the spring. Bonus really cool tunnel bridge kids love to go through. High chances of seeing manatees there too.

Thank you everyone 😊

The mangrove tunnels off Lido Key are pretty fun. You can also launch off Beer Can Island (next to Longboat Key) and paddle around in Sarasota Bay. If you don't mind driving a few hours, I highly recommend the Silver River, which has clear water and tons of wildlife.

First trip go to Rainbow River launch KP hole. Easiest is to use Rainbow River Canoe and Kayak as a shuttle service. They shuttle you and your kayaks to KP hole and you can just float , paddle, cruise your was back to the shop where your car is parked all downstream 🙂 Beautiful water , with swimming. It quickly becomes an addiction lol

Weeki wachi. Also go out to Anna Maria Island. Beer can island. Emerson point is also beautiful.

Check out Sarasota Blueways paddling guide.

If she is uncomfortable in water that is not crystal clear I would recommend Weeki Wachee, it’s a good first experience manatees and fish and the chance of seeing gators is very low, the Silver river is nice but there are a lot of gators and if that’s a fear probably not a good place to start, Rainbow river is a decent river but depending on when you plane to go the tubers can get a little annoying. Another short gorgeous ride is the Emerald cut at Kings landing it’s another good beginners spot with the crystal clear water.

Robinson Preserve and Emerson Point are both great options, with easy mangrove paddling and the chance to explore further into Tampa Bay.

Lots of options near you - Ft Desoto, Robinsons, Bishops, or Cockroach

Ft Desoto is a good spot for a duos trip with a wife/gf. Pretty clear, shallow, calm water. Good fishing as well

Yes! But you have to make an appointment in advance to launch (even your own kayak) so call them and set it up.

Weeki Wachee rents them. I’ve rented from them several times. You should be able to go tandem with a 10 year old at least

I believe they have to be 12+ to rent them a solo kayak, but you should be able to rent a tandem to go together

I like to put in at Rum Island and paddle upstream to Poe Springs and then down to Gilchrist Blue Springs and back to Rum. It’s one of my favorite paddles for out and back.

You could put in at the Highway 27 bridge and paddle up to the 441 bridge and coast back down. I find that the areas between Poe and Ginnie is always the most crowded because they’re the best known ones in Gainesville. Rum Island is usually not too crazy though

There are two shuttles also, Santa Fe canoe outpost and rum 138, if you decide to go further and want a ride back. We did paddled up to the river rise yesterday from HS boat ramp, 2.75 miles up stream. Watch the weather this week too! It doesn’t look good!

Doesn't anyone know Oleano is where the Santa Fe goes underground and then comes back up near Hwy 441 bridge and the Hwy 27 at River Rise horse trails and boat ramp.

You can put in at the High Springs public boat ramp off of US 41 (no fee) and paddle up to River Rise and back down. That's a total of a little less than 5 miles up and back. There's not a lot of current, so pretty easy upstream paddle and we hardly ever see anyone else on that section.

There’s a machine near the boat ramp that you put a credit card or debit card in, it is on a first come first serve basis.

There is no launch fee at Rogers park.

It gets packed quick!!! Get there early or after 2 ..but that place gets insanely pack

Don’t you have to reserve/schedule that now or did that end?

Rogers parks gets insanely packed early. There is only a limit to the parking lot. Once it’s full there is no where to park. I would suggest getting there super early for a parking spot

Don't launch there. Drive to Bay Point Park and there is a kayak launch. Paddle up the estuary, through the pretty homes, past Rogers and onto the river. I did it last week, about six miles but lovely and free!

Also you can go to then Christian camp and they charge for you to go in and launch there. Way easier! Hardly on people and they get the money which is a good cause! The conditions to launch there are so much better. You can picnic there, they have rest rooms… that’s what we do… no parking problems. Rogers park is pack and hard to find parking…

Blue springs in orange city can paddle until 11am

I was there not 2 weeks ago and the vendor there said nobody's allowed to kayak in it because of the construction

Only the manatee observer, but I did see some rubble rebels in a tandem sneak in. 🤣

Def under construction

You're going to find the area marked off as erosion control efforts are under way. It will likely be several months before the run is open to paddlers but the main spring swimming area is open.

If you head north to Charlotte Harbor, Ponce De Leon Park in PG is a good option. If you want to go further head out to Boca Grande, it's a bit of a drive but well worth it in my opinion. If you don't want to pay the $6 to get over the bridge launch at the foot of the Coral Creek Bridge and paddle across the sound, on a calm day it's a super easy paddle.

Judd Creek. Telegraph Creek

Orange river from Manatee Park, launch and head upriver(left).

We ended up paddling tarpon bay near Ding Darling in sanibel island. Thanks fir the suggestions.

Day trip? Overnight? Multi day?

Don’t take anything

Day trip, a place for easy access for things like chapstick, binoculars, snacks, etc

I take a small cooler, and some of these waterproof bags, since you can kinda adjust their size. Usually a waterproof box too. You can also buy a roll of velco pretty cheap too to secure stuff.

Small dry bag

I have a dry bag that attaches to the top of my cockpit. If you have a sit-in it is perfect if you have an sot a milk crate will do

Waterproof bag fo sho lol. Cooler with ice packs if you plan on keeping items cool for a long trip. Have some sort of line if you plan on tying up and resting so your kayak doesn’t drift off and you plan on swimming.

Motorcycle cargo nets from Harbor Freight bow and stern.

Thank you everyone 😊 I ended up just getting these

I have a mini cargo net in back that secures everything. Very handy modification.

My all time best deck bag. Designed by paddlers for paddlers. The GearLab Deck Pod. Very low profile so no windage problems, holds every thing I need for a day on the water. My FCT paddling partner uses the same one. One of it's best features is the clips that hold it to the kayak stay on the boat. (Just tuck the loose clips under a line so they don't flap around during transport.) So I can load up the bag at home with everything I need and once to the water just clip it on and go. Makes organization of all the littles - lip balm, snacks, day first aid kit, spare gloves, glasses, flares, airhorn, sun screen, head lamp, extra batteries, trash bag, VHF radio, etc. - very simple. Straps on the sides for bilge pump, p[addle float and/or water bottle. www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS922US922&sxsrf=ALeKk02A43mfcBIJSpNPMNvP3pzQJ7X9Iw:162350925...

Load the meetup app on your phone and search for local kayaking groups. It will change your life. It certainly did mine. Good luck!

I learned from YouTube.

I thought Beverly Hills is in Cali?

The k p hole on the Rainbow River is a great place to start look up Marion County Parks no disposable items allowed on the river though no water bottles

If you can go during the week, I'll be happy to introduce y'all to the Silver River.

Always wear a good life jacket.

Come over to Dunedin and I will kayak with you guys to Caladesi/Honeymoon island any time.

I live in Inverness and go to Chassahowitzka and Rainbow quite a bit. 2 very different paddles. Not gonna be on the water this weekend, but would definitely meet up sometime.

Check with me in July, we do the Chassawitzka frequently. Preferably on a weekday, weekends can be crazy there

Lake Hernando right down the road from you. Perfect place to practice.

Always wear a good life jacket.

The Suwanee has several springs tucked off to the side like the Santa Fe

Kings landing

Silver Glen is beautiful

Weeki wachi has some nice spots to beach up to

Ten dollars. They installed a pay station

So this park is up the road from Rogers park. Parking is free and you can launch your kayak from there and get to the springs.

I paid $10

No cost to launch there but parking fee ( minimal) and they take cards . A parking fee machine …

10$

Ridiculous! Some one should complain about these prices for Florida residents! We are snow birds. Our town put a launch in our local park. Free to all!

Does anyone know the container rules?

See why she is a ex😂

Ya she had to go. Lol

Flipping a kayak is rare but it does happen. I always tell people to make sure everything on your kayak is attached by a string to the kayak including your phone waterproof case. Let me share the worst disaster I’ve had with my friends Kayaking. I took a group out to the sandbar at Haulover Miami going out of Oleta Park. It was a group from my Meetup group. Three of them decided to rent a canoe instead of a kayak and filled it up with cases of beer. I advised against this but we’re all adults. Securing everything fell on deaf ears. We all had a great time out on the sandbar and then slowly some of the girls started going back because they were in rentals. But a lot of us stayed behind. The three in the canoe while heading back to the park while crossing deep water one of them decided to stand up in the canoe and dance flipping it. A boater stopped to help them and that’s why we saw it being pulled. As I was kayaking back to Oleta’s area for people that used their own kayak. I see the canoe being pulled upside down by a power boat and the three girls that were in the canoe are in the power boat zooming away. Hung out at Oleta Park for a bit calling them but it went straight to voicemail. Found out the next day what happened. OMG! The three of them lost everything. Phones, keys, shoes, wallets. The only thing they didn’t lose was the swimwear they had on. By the time they got back to the car the park was closed. They had to walk barefoot about a mile to beg someone to use a phone. Without a phone they had to use a cab that for an $80 ride home but the other two girls lost their car keys too so all of them were now stuck at the home were their two cars were. The car at the park had to be towed to the BMW dealership to get reprogrammed for a key/fob. It’s a BMW thing. The other two girls had to get a locksmith for their cars. All three of them lost their phones plus all of them had to get replacement IDs and credit cards and everything. The one with the BMW said between cab rides and towing and everything it set her back around 3 grand.

Took a buddy out kayak fishing. He has never been in a kayak. I told him, don’t worry you’ll never flip this hobie outback. About 3 minutes later he flips it. All our gear at the bottom. I understand your Payne lol

Saved you from a hefty divorce and alimony 😂

Ex🤣🤣

I got One more. Never kayak with hatches open. A small group of us went out kayaking. One of the kayaks was a tandem and it had a big hatch area between the seats and removed the hatch and put a cooler there instead. Kayak was loaded with all their fishing gear along with everything else. They flipped lost everything. Plus because the hatch was out of the kayak it filled with water and was slowly sinking. We managed to drag the kayak to the rocky area under a bridge and re-float it enough for them to get back in and we towed them back to the launch area as their paddles were also lost. Personally I use a paddle leash. Many kayakers are against a paddle leash but I’ve used one for many years now and I’m a strong believer in the paddle leash. It’s almost impossible to chase down a paddle without a paddle to paddle. But much worse if you are in the water trying to hang onto your kayak.

Your better of without her!! Lol

Gee wonder why she's your ex

I said that once, you can’t dump this bulky kayak. With in seconds I flipped it over, I about died laughing. Only time I ever dumped a sit on 😂

I've never flipped mine. I do sit on tops. My 15 year old flipped a sit in. But getting in it.

Guess there's more than one way to get rid of someone! LOL

I have learned to never say never. lol

Is there supposed to be a pic with this post? That would be a good one

There was a few tours in the safety harbor area last year, but I didn't go personally. I headed over to the Haulover canal, much less light pollution.

Used to see it years or should I say eons ago on Davis Island ☺️

I'm glad you asked about this

Safety Harbor. Saw it last year mid-August

Safety Harbor was amazing a few nights last year

Isabel Surtani

Yep!!

Tonight is a paddle in Safety Harbor!! 8 to 10! Idk the group but I think its SUP group and all is welcome

FT Deaoto if the conditions are right

Following

Following

Wandering Adventures does bio paddles in the area.

It’s about the same as any other kayak. You just have to pull the rudder up

It all depends on the kayak. Some pedal kayaks paddle nice, others don't. Try before you buy if possible.

If you have a rudder, that's a plus. My 2020 Outback with the drive out and the rudder up was a bear to paddle.

The hobie mirage drive can be used in shallow waters

Heavy and not worth the trouble unless you cannot paddle in my opinion. Unless you are just going to open water to fish, makes sense there.

My outback paddles just fine. However it is on the heavy side. But I’ve paddled it for a few miles before after getting stuck on a super low tide. No biggie. I do believe that hobie makes the best peddle kayaks. Now since their patent ran out more people are copying the drive. That drive to me is the best.

I love my Hobie Revolution. I alternate between paddling and peddling unless I go play in the mangroves somewhere. Then I just pull the drive out, put the plug in and paddle. I had neck surgery and still have a little bit of nerve deficit on the right, so I have to give my arm a break after a while. I'm not sure I'd have made a different choice even if I didn't need it, though. Still suggest you go somewhere that lets you try before you buy.

I can "pedal" my Hobie Mirage in 6 inches of water.

I have a Hobie Mirage Sport and it sucks in shallow water. Gets stuck everywhere even if I pull the drive. It has an old rudder that doesn’t flip up all the way. The new ones might be better but I only take this one out in deeper water. On the other hand it is crazy fun. Paddles, pedals and sails!

No offense, but peddle kayaks are more a novelty thing than anything. They tend to be heavy and some drives can get tangled up in weeds. If your goal is to get a full body workout on the water, it might make sense. If your goal is to race or do long-distance exploring or paddle with an experienced paddling group, it might not be a good choice.

Pedal kayaks are widely used by fishermen as they are a very stable platform. What makes them stable makes them tougher to paddle. You will need a longer shafted paddle to reach over the sides. I fish with several pedal yakers and all of them stow a paddle for those times.

A Hobie Revolution, it pedals, it paddles. Both rather nicely. Some uninformed kayak "purists" are on this thread, amusing. The best answer is test test test.

Best response is try before you buy. Listen to the opinions but try for yourself.

Thanks all for your suggestions,I will try few options before buy.

I have a outback and can get along fine in 8” of water with the fins. You just use a flutter kick rather than full pumps. I use mine for fishing so as far as being a novelty item, I say BS. It makes paddling fun.

As far as paddling, it’s definitely heavier than a traditional kayak and more difficult. But I rarely ever need to paddle.

Skip the pedal kayak. Needs deep water. Hard to steer with paddles and your hands are busy so thumb rudder is useless.

St. Lucie River

www.floridarambler.com/kayaking-in-florida/st-lucie-river/

Come to Paddling Paradise on Turkey creek in Palm Bay

The water is a good place to go

You can also use meetup app for Space Coast Paddling group

Kayak turkey creek, Ballard park, or to the islands in grant

Rum Island in High Springs, upriver to Poe and beyond, spring hopping and floating back.

Silver River hands down.

Juniper is on my list to do soon.

The Silver is always good. Juniper Creek run altho you need to provide your own boat & shuttle and be prepared. Tomoka is nice on the east coast. Further north, but the Santa Fe river from US 441 to SR 47 is a nice, easy paddle. And almost any section of the Suwannee.

Love Wacissa!

The Chaz

Chassahowitzka, for sure.

Silver Springs!

I ALWAYS paddle up river first as I never have a 2nd vehicle parked anywhere. If the river is too swift to paddle up river then I go to a different one. That has only happened once with the Hillsborough river. I don't know if its because a dam was open or if it was after some heavy rains but after 15 minutes of hard paddling and not moving more than 500 yards, I took the kayak out and drove back down to the Alafia.

Lots of people park then paddle upstream-especially with a yak like that! I regularly do the entire Weeki Wachee upstream then down and same for Rainbow, Silver, and Ichetucknee. Silver and Ichetucknee are certainly an ass kicking for me but that’s in a sit on top 14’9” scupper pro or (even more of an ass kicking) lately a paddle board

Depends on the flow, Weeki wachee for example isn’t bad if going upriver on high tide, but on low or outgoing it’s more difficult. Also heavy traffic coming downstream makes going up really suck. Generally going with the flow makes for more enjoyable trips

With a rig like that you should be fine going up stream in most of our rivers ..My advice is going up stream once your tired take the relaxing float back down river

I paddle the Santa Fe often, and though I usually do downstream, upstream is very doable. I avoid weekends and holidays if I go by the hot spots like Ginnie Springs

Most Florida paddlers are novices paddling short inefficient boats, so the tendency is to launch at the spring and ride the current downstream then catch a shuttle back to the top. At most springs, a proficient paddler in a decent touring boat won't have any problem launching at the bottom and paddling up and back. There are a couple of springs where this is a bit harder and maybe one (Juniper) where it would be difficult. I mostly do up and pack paddles but on occasion use my prepositioned bicycle to ferry back to the launch to get my truck.

I paddle upstream at Weeki Wachee (I start at rogers park) then I take the current back downstream back to my car. I will say be careful where you go with a Yak that long, I have a 16 ft kayak and took it to juniper springs.... worse choice of my life.... too winding for it, kept getting stuck. I honestly did not forsee myself being able to finish it (it was all downstream) but I did it (it took 7 hours....) It's a great Yak for somewhere like Weeki Wachee though, don't have much issue paddling upstream. Went on a day where it was 11 MPH winds (at Weeki), went upstream and had no issues.

That’s probably the perfect kayak to go up Silver Springs and then back down to Ray Wayside park

Thanks everyone for such awesome replies! Saving this whole thread for my next trip!

It really just depends in the spring run or river. Some are easy up-and-backs and some aren't, some have shuttle services and some don't, some it's easy to set up your own shuttle and some it's more difficult. It all depends on the location.

At alll rivers, including spring fed rivers and spring runs, you have to go with what's available. There's no single rule that works everywhere. Some have liveries that offer shuttle services, some have multiple, some have none. Some have only one good place to put in, some have dozens. And some have "hidden" or "secret" put ins. So it varies greatly. Your best bet is to search or ask here about whichever specific place you're looking at.

I paddle upstream all the time, sometimes for 4-4 1/2 hours to get to the spring. One particular river there is a much closer ramp but I like the long float back. Any way I can save money and get out there by myself is a good way for me.

It all depends on how long the run is. If the run is 5hours downstream then I only have enough time to go that way. If it's a shorter run, I go both ways. I love a good challenge so I get frustrated when it's a easy run!

Fort Island Gulf Beach, Crystal River. Bird Creek Boat Ramp in Yankeetown.

I've never heard of a permit. You just need to find a dog beach. . Plenty around

Honeymoon island

Lighhouse park, dog beach, New Smyrna

What part of FL are you in?

Gulf Would be way better Not Atlantic side What county?

You need a permit???

Within a mile of the pier in Panama City Beach its dog beach

Please be careful ! Many areas of Florida have red tide now. It will make your dogs very sick even though the media is not telling people .

You shouldnt need a permit, they should have their tags on tho so u have proof of shots.

Ft.DeSoto dog beach. Best ever!

Ft Desoto has a dog beach. Here in the panhandle we get away with pretty frequently, beaches aren’t as dense

Google search “dog beach near me” or “dog beach near <insert location here>”. You’ll need to share your location in your post in order to get specific input from the group. There are simply too many beaches in FL.

Flagler County allows dogs everywhere except the pier and state parks. There's a huge dog park at New Smyrna Dunes.

Congratulations! You rock!

Honeymoon Island (Dunedin (tampa area) has a dog beach.

Flagler Beach

Took ours to Fort Desoto Sunday, no leash required there.

You don’t need a permit. Just find a dog beach.

A dog beach current vaccines and if not fixed don't bring a b**** in heat

Sanibel is dog friendly

Melbourne has one and new smyrna

St johns county beaches are dog friendly but mst be leashed 😊

Make sure you take plenty of fresh drinking water for them❗

Just spe t the weekend in Fernandina Beach very dog friendly

Have fun

When you’re done, be sure to visit taqueria el sol for some delicious tacos! 702 Railroad st. Wimauma, Fl.

Don’t drown, please.

Do not pet the alligators.

I did the lower portion from Canoe Outpost about a month ago. A little shallow in a few places, but a beautiful river nonetheless. Enjoy your trip.

Yes, it is pretty nice and well marked. You can find a nice chart online called the Coastal Paddling Trail, it is also called Jenkins Creek.

As Jim says nice well marked trail. Made the trip a few times. The launch in Linda Pedersen Park is very nice and easy. Bring your sunscreen little to no shade especially compared to Weeki

Does anyone know if the water is somewhat clear to go swimming?

There is a launch on the bay side of Summerland Key, nice kayak spot. Also the boat launch next to the blimp spot (Blimp Road) on Cudjoe has good kayaking.