Kayaking Weeki Wachee

I reserved us three kayaks to paddle the Weeki Wachee river through Paddling Adventures for Saturday morning after Christmas.  It is roughly a 2 to 2.5 hour trip if you don't stop along the way to swim or explore, so they rent kayaks and canoes out from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m.  The trip is from Weeki Wachee Springs State Park to Rodgers park, a 5 mile float downstream.  They have a shuttle van that picks you up and takes you back to the launch.  You can also launch a private boat from Weeki Wachee for a small fee.  They will even haul you back from Rodgers park if you wish, but the shuttle stops running at 330p.m. and they charge a bunch of money if you are late.

The spring starts at Weeki Wachee Srings State Park and flows out to the gulf, going through the state park as well as through the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area, so wildlife abounds.  If you go in the winter months, there is a good chance you will see manatees!  As the ocean water temps cool, the manatees seek out the warmer waters of the spring fed rivers, were the water temperature is more constant.  We didn't see any manatees (dang it!) even though there had been reports of 9 hanging out in the river the entire week.  We did see anhingas, great blue herons, little blue heron, a nice big white-tailed deer buck, and a rattle snake swimming along the shore.  Oh, and tons of fish, because the water is crystal clear.  The last mile or so of the creek has houses on the north bank of the river, but the rest of the float is mostly undeveloped.  It was well worth the money and time.  I recommend going early, that way you are pressed to make it to the pick up point.  Be sure to make reservations.