Weeki Wachee Kayaking - Ten Things to Know Before you Go

[@bluewave2536]

Subscribed. I like these more realistic reviews rather than those only show you the best part. More like these pls!

[@SeanTolan_illuminated_imaging]

I lived there off and on for over 10yrs since the 1980's going back and forth from Oregon. My mom lived down there permanently until passing in 2012...so many good memories made on that river. Thank you for the video, and very respectful of the locals in how you present the video...thank you!

[@deborahblick13]

A lot has changed in a year. 1) THE BIG CHANGE: In July 2023, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission created a Springs Protection Zone along the 5.61-mile stretch of the river from the springhead in Weeki Wachee State Park to the Rogers Park Boat Ramp. Along this section of the river beaching, mooring, anchoring and grounding vessels is forbidden. So no more getting out of your boat to swim or wade as is depicted many times in this video. Once you are in your boat, you must stay in your boat. 2) You MUST make a reservation to launch from the State Park, whether you bring your own boat or rent. 3) Launches from the State Park are limited to 280 people per day. For warm weather weekends and holidays you may need to make your launch and/or rental reservations months in advance. 4) If you rent a boat from the state park concessionaire you will NOT be going to Rogers Park. The state park no longer offers a shuttle from Rogers Park. Instead they created a landing at the west end of the state park property where you get out and are shuttled back to the beginning. This is a 2.8 mile trip, or less than 1/4 of the trip mentioned in the video. It's about a 1-hour float trip, especially now that you can't get out of your boats for a break along the way. 5) You can still launch from Rogers Park, paddle upstream then float back down for a 12-mile trip. It helps if you can launch with an incoming tide to give you a bit of a push up the river. However, since relandscaping Rogers Park and adding a playground, restroom, and 3-acre swimming area, there are fewer parking spots. On nice weekends and holidays the parking lot is full before 9 am so get there early which means you can't always plan to paddle with the tidal flow.

[@SunshineStateInsider]

Yep! Big news the other day.

[@user-sf9pq5ox7w]

Good video! Excellent info. Liked the comment to pick up after yourself and a bit more, if you see any trash. Keep Florida beautiful. Thanks.

[@SunshineStateInsider]

Thank you!

[@jtr82369]

Of course, people buy/built a house next to a river and get mad about people using it lol It's like the idiots who build a house next to a race track and them fight to close it down (just happened in Cali). Better idea, don't buy/build next to something you find annoying.

[@janellejudy9978]

The kayak rental link saved me! I’m visiting on a Monday, so I already had the disappointing news that Buccaneer bay is closed, and then all the canoes through the state park were unavailable. But the kayak shack had my back! And KZbin! Thank you! 🥰🥰🥰

[@ebonyharris11]

I enjoyed my time on the river. I’m a beginner, and did find a couple of the tight turns and low hanging branches difficult to navigate around. Overall a great experience

[@Thfeyhvfdetyhbvcd]

Very Difficult Paddle! I just now completed the 12 mile round trip in a sit-inside recreational kayak. I have been kayaking for 20 years and found this very difficult. The river is very windy (twisty) and the current is strong. Many Others in recreational kayaks were having difficulty, especially many who were very out of shape. The huge flotilla leaving Rogers Park really died out in about a mile. Those who did make it to the end had paddle boards and better kayaks of their own, or were young and fit. It’s a beautiful river with many wild sections before you reach the state park waters. Those with pedal drive made quick work of the river. Those with both hard and inflatable paddle boards went astonishingly quick through the current and turns.

[@budjiman1]

Thank you for sharing

[@Lt.Fireguy]

The state park shuttle no longer runs from rogers park. Now it's only 2.5miles down from the park.

[@nonyabusiness2510]

That sucks. Thanks for the update. I won't be patronizing them anymore. They are trying to keep people in the river no longer than 2 hours and they are getting pressure to limit the amount of people they allow on the river. I remember the days when I would go to the Weeki Wachee marina and renting small jon boats and cruising up the river. Nobody Kayaked back then and the river was never mobbed. This was back when they still had the monkeys near the park. Then the park tour boats would always give us the stink eye and rightly so because many people on those small boats would go to fast or get in the way of their larger vessels. And then there were the raccoons. Sadly that river that I knew and loved no longer exists. As the river has become more densely used I do think that motorized vessels should be banned. I've seen nitwits trying to navigate large vessels on the river that leaves little rooms for kayakers.

[@libertyforamericanow]

@@nonyabusiness2510 ive been here 40 years. They should have to give idiot kayakers a paddle lesson before turning them loose. These idiots dont even know how to do a back paddle or drag a paddle to steer so they dont know how to get out of the way of boats.

[@zwebslinger3526]

Ever think that those nitwits have every right to be there and were likely coming there long before it became overrun by the kayaker? Also many boat owners live on the canals and have for years.

[@alloverdaplace2043]

This is one of the Best informational videos I have seen. Great job!

[@ellen1539]

This is so Beautiful! Where are the mermaids? When I was a child 70 years ago, my Mom and grandparents took me to see Mermaids, and I loved them and the boat ride. Do you still have the Mermaids Show? I would love to come and see all again. Thank you, June

[@mischamichele2314]

Yes they do ❤I take my family often and the kids love it!

[@joelimo449]

Great and Informative BUT , as of 4 years ago they DO NOT pick you up at Rogers park anymore. You paddle with your kayak 2.8 miles from Launch point and at 2.8 miles from there , you bring your kayak to the shore and they pick you up and take you back to your car. To preserve what remains of the beautyiful waters You CAN NOT get out of your kayak while your traversing those almost 3 miles , from the state park to pick up point.

[@williamkiely9523]

Thank you for this video. Seriously, I learned everything I needed to know. Rainbow River is my next destination.

[@sheribailey802]

Thank you SO much for a completely informative and honest video on this attraction!! You answered every single question we could possibly have, seriously! We understand going in September, it'll probably be a little different, but your pointers and information are invaluable. Being 80's kids, my husband & I probably wouldn't mind seeing mullet man blasting Panama...but you can't have it all, right? :)

[@GannKari]

LOL... want honest... hope you like reggaeton blasting!

[@susanschmitz5871]

Thank you for your honest video!!! We will still go, but hey it helps to know what to expect, and you did NOT come off negative at all, just realistic, that was refreshing!😊😊😊

[@SunshineStateInsider]

Thanks!

[@marshallcollins8634]

I love when someone is actually honest & realistic, and some crybaby says they are NEGATIVE. I think it is because Mommy&Baddy never say NO and tell Their children the truth. I am thankful for the realistic view. Good job ,new subscriber.

[@jbirdtristar1]

Hey man this was an awesome video!!! It was tonthe point, filled with humor and lots of us3ful info that I absolutely needed to know!!! Again thank u so much for this, as me and my gf are planning a trip there!!! U r awesome sir!!!!

[@SunshineStateInsider]

Glad you liked it!!

[@floridamenabroad]

Some of the tips make it seem like you haven’t been recently or at all. The state park shuttle is only about half of the river. There are houses along the river after the one mile point

[@jordan_who]

Ton of valuable information! Just moved here. Really appreciate the expectation vs reality part

[@SunshineStateInsider]

Thanks! I thought it was important because you see a lot of of the "official" tourism photos, and then you get here and it be crowded!

[@ryang8425]

How do you like it? I plan on moving to springhill in the next few months from Boston

[@WysteriaGuitar]

If they let some gators and snakes loose once a week they could solve the crowd problem easily...

[@nonyabusiness2510]

They are already there. Just not in abundance. Even better just get a kayak in the shape of a gator.

[@kaceyle4706]

Not all of us comes over there and creating problem , blame the newbie idiots that doesn’t respect the nature even though there’s rules already set for them . I was there, and I saw a one alligator as long as you don’t mess the gator 🐊 leave it alone, and it will be fine. It’s pretty fun if you follow by the rules and enjoy the beauty of this nature.

[@janellejudy9978]

If you want more of the peaceful and pristine I highly recommend rainbow river another hour north! If you camp you can get directly on the river without having to get in your vehicle 🥰🥰🥰

[@SunshineStateInsider]

Hope to make it to Rainbow River soon and post another review and video on that!

[@nonyabusiness2510]

Very similar and much larger. I did a drift dive there once and it was amazing.

[@arianeporciuncula5169]

Excellent!!!!! Informative and honest view !!! Thanks

[@matthewrossilini5808]

Good honest review

[@mischamichele2314]

Thank you so much for this ♥️

[@katjones2781]

Well obviously you're not allowed to do this anymore. I grew up on this River and always very respectful and cleaned up people's garbage. I've seen a lot of things people have done mostly tourists and Northerners. They have ruined it all, what's next on their list?

[@Tinygelatin]

unfortunately, boaters kind of ruined my experience here recently. a boat was in the middle of the river and sent me into bushes!

[@libertyforamericanow]

Learn how to steer your kayak before kayaking

[@aprilegunn6818]

@riverdaddy where you at??!!

[@Midnight_Immortal]

I always have to paddle a good hour upstream before you can get away from the crowd

[@libertyforamericanow]

6:30 is no longer true. If you rent a kayak from the state park you only get two miles before your pick up spot.

[@MongoBongo271]

Another thing to consider in this river is pay attention to the tide if you can hit the tide when it's going up stream you can go with the current to the state park and back but if you hit it wrong you could fight it both ways haha

[@SunshineStateInsider]

Great tip!!!

[@IamGrimFPV]

I don't wanna come off rude but the water never flows tords the state park from Roger's park. When the tide is high the flow isn't as strong and when the tide is low the water current is higher but direction doesn't change

[@MongoBongo271]

@@IamGrimFPV weird maybe I'm thinking of a different river but pretty sure it was the it was this one weather the tide makes it to the state park but i do remember the river switching directions and getting higher and lower as the day went on

[@MongoBongo271]

@@IamGrimFPV I looked it up and it says that the current is tidal. I also stayed right on the river in an Airbnb for like 3 days. The first time I went I was fighting the current, the second time I went early in the morning the current would slowly pull me towards the state park, then a couple hours later it would switch back and push me the other way.

[@IamGrimFPV]

@@MongoBongo271 it does go up and down with the tides but as a worker on the river I can safely say I've never seen it switch directions lol. I could be wrong. I've just never seen it flow up stream🤷‍♂️

[@Laissez_Faire]

There’s nothing worst than a kayak with no back support 🤦🏻‍♂️ I’ve been there and it’s not fun

[@bmc1394]

Great information! Thanks.

[@freddiebowers1125]

You nailed it

[@MrBlueeyes111]

Excellent information thank you

[@nunyabiz8708]

Heads up.. you are wrong about people cleaning up the river.. if it wasn't for the weeki watcher river rangers cleaning up after people by pulling four dumpsters full of garbage.. so put a special thanks to them on your video..

[@SilverHonda0767]

What kind of kayak do you have? The back support.

[@RoxanneJeffreysLilibeanPhoto]

Can we go down the river in an inflatable tube?

[@OffShoreSniper]

Most importantly, if you put in at rogers park, don’t use the BOAT RAMP for kayaks and paddle boards!

[@stellak-m7746]

What about alligators?

[@Midnight_Immortal]

They stay in the murky areas off the beaten path and don't bother you

[@tndeere]

How late is to late in the year to float (Oct.Nov.?) Thanks Good info

[@SunshineStateInsider]

You can pretty much go all year round just as long as it's warm outside enough for you. The water is spring fed, so it stays around 72ish degrees all year. I'm not sure I'd go on one of the chillier winter days, but the water is nice and refreshing when it's hot out!

[@tndeere]

@@SunshineStateInsider sounds good Thanks

[@noahbrooksphoto]

Come to Loxahatchee Refuge!

[@SunshineStateInsider]

I'd love to!

[@chrisroach8385]

lol it’s not an hour from Tampa I live down the street . It’s 40 mins at max

[@ESPNsPeacockbassProfessor]

ice cream man def sells weed😂

[@Thfeyhvfdetyhbvcd]

Of course, riding the current back to Rogers Park was almost effortless.

[@russelldavis8415]

Florida=gators and snakes??? Wherever a body of water exists pretty sure some gator will find it, along with the odd snake or two.

[@MikeJordanUnCamplicated]

Once you go Vibe Hero seat... you can't go back 😁

[@SunshineStateInsider]

You really can't. I'm spoiled by them!

[@jrossnjax7]

First 3 min I was checked out from going to this place! No thanks! Its sad they allow a place like this to become so busy and party like. No one wants that atmosphere when going outdoors with family. Thanks for sharing because we'll skip this one! 👍

[@SunshineStateInsider]

It’s most crazy on summer weekends, but it if you can get out there on a weekday it’s not nearly as bad. I know the locals have been trying to get involved in limiting access a bit too.

[@bradjames264]

A slice of heaven would be if this and the other 3 rivers just to the north would be like it was when I was a kid growing up here. I notice even the water is not as clear as it once was,....

[@nonyabusiness2510]

Water quality hasn't changed because the aquifiers that feed the rivers are hundreds of feet below the surface and untouched. However I agree the river is not as much fun as it was 40 years ago when I first started going there.

[@BG-su6gx]

@@nonyabusiness2510 I see a difference in clarity...same with Homosassa

[@nonyabusiness2510]

@@BG-su6gx that's fine. We are all free to believe what we want but the water is the same as it was and there is no difference. Can't account for what you see.

[@Dr.I.C.Spots247]

@@nonyabusiness2510 it's not the pure water coming out that has changed. It's the higher amount of traffic on the river stirring up sediments in the surface water.

[@simplysarah0310]

Aren’t there alligators in this water?

[@metallica1fan1]

There's always gators in the water.

[@metallica1fan1]

If there is water in Florida, there are gators in it. Not kidding either.

[@simplysarah0310]

@@metallica1fan1 I get that. But just wondering why people do these sports then. Has there ever been any gator attacks here? I wanna go but I’m scared of that lol

[@LemonThyme1933]

​@@simplysarah0310 Don't go at feeding time.

[@metallica1fan1]

@@simplysarah0310 , Gators usually tend to avoid humans, especially if there is a large group of them. And if it's in the heat of the day they are either sunbathing or hiding because it's to hot. Gators are opportunist and reactionary feeders. Meaning they're low risk, wait a long time for the perfect catch type hunters, or if there is slashing in the water like an animal is in distress. The only time gators are aggressive is during mating season and when you're near their nest and young.

[@soflovixen]

Are paddleboards permitted?

[@SunshineStateInsider]

Yep, lots of paddle boards out there!

[@davidhuifang]

Yes

[@CeeDeeLight]

Will I meet any gators on this river?

[@SunshineStateInsider]

It's technically possible, but from what I understand gators are really rare here. The water is pretty chilly, and it's so busy with boats and swimmers that they pretty much avoid this area.

[@Diogenes30]

Very true

[@AlThePal78]

I have never seen the warden on a JetSki

[@AlThePal78]

no parking lol

[@sravanakkapelly6662]

Do they allow any inflatable small boats like Intex mariner with a trolling motor?

[@KungPowEnterFist]

Yes, boats are allowed. However, you cannot access the headspring area. It is roped off.

[@jac6996]

Are their gators on the river?

[@IamGrimFPV]

Yes. Most likely would see them on side canals though. I'm on the river quite a bit for work and have seen at least one gator but never saw one on the main portion.

[@COOKIE-2u]

​@IamGrimFPV what kind of work do u perform on the river? Just curious

[@libertyforamericanow]

Butch the hot dog guy is cool

[@libertyforamericanow]

11:46 the hot dog guy is not in that exact spot anymore. The assholes who bought that property right there bitched and moaned till he said fuck it and moved up river a few turns.

[@TheSmatlock]

All you need to know is that it is packed everyday and dirty because of people leaving their trash everywhere!!!! I avoid it and prefer 7 sisters springs

[@michelleisaacson2197]

Rent from SUP Weeki for vessels and launch privileges!

[@jerrynapp]

Thanks for this kind review ! Jerry and Pam Supweeki

[@michelelouisellc]

This is outdated. Details are wrong. The state park ends its paddle at the end of the park

[@StevenYoungcaptual]

Too many people, rules and noise for us. Nice review and thanks, but we pass on this tourist trap.

[@FirexHive]

all depends on when you go

[@gregthornton4209]

1. Why am I in Florida? 2. How do I get the f*ck out of Florida?

[@Jules-zg1ip]

Looks pretty....pretty crowded. Nope.

[@kimielove8179]

This is all about complaining what an annoying video I go to this park all the time always have a good time go stay home