Paddle the Weeki Wachee River (But Read This First!)
The Weeki Wachee River is one of the most incredible places to paddle in the Tampa Bay area!
But, its beauty draws crowds!
Here’s how to avoid a packed river and enjoy it in peace!
In my humble opinion, Florida springs are meant to be enjoyed quietly, without crowds! But, whew, that is a tough order sometimes. especially at popular spots.
But, it’s not impossible!
Here’s what you need to do to ensure a peaceful paddle on the Weeki Wachee River:
Plan to start your journey at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. This will require you to book online several weeks in advance through Weeki Fresh Water Adventures. You’ll likely find some slots sold out already on your desired date because only a certain number of launches are allowed from the state park everyday. While that may seem inconvenient, it’s actually a measure that was enacted to help preserve the health of the spring!
look for the earliest time slot when you’re booking! I recommend snagging the 9 am to 11 am timeslot, especially on weekends.
If you score the 9 am slot, get to the state park by 8:30 am. the team members on site will sometimes start checking folks in at 8:45 am. you’ll have time to gather your things, hit the restroom, get your bags checked (nothing disposable is allowed). Oh, and make sure your waivers are filled out online ahead of time! That will certainly save you several minutes.
When you get on the river, take your time! There’s no rush! Focus on steering instead of paddling.
Otherwise, the 2.5 mile journey downriver will go much faster than expected. In fact, even at a leisurely pace, it takes about 90 minutes at most.
In addition to the crystal clear water, the scenery is absolutely stunning.
I’ve seen barred owls in the trees, tricolored herons wading through the sea grass, deer on the banks, and much more.
Oh, and if you do get stuck by some other paddlers, good news! The river winds so often, you can loose people easily!
So, are booking your next paddle at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park? Let me know!
