Weeki Wachee Kayaking - Ten Things to Know Before you Go

The Weeki Wachee River is a famous paddling destination famous for manatees, mermaids, and clear blue waters fed by the springs at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Before you go, here's ten things you might want to know.

**Reservation Info**
Kayak Shack (near Rogers Park in Spring Hill)

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

[SunshineStateInsider]

Planning a visit to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park?🧜‍♀  

[bluewave]

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!

[sfpqoxw]

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.

[deborahblick]

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.

[janellejudy]

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 YouTube! Thank you! 🥰🥰🥰

[williamkiely]

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

[alloverdaplace]

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

[susanschmitz]

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!😊😊😊

[jbirdtristar]

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!!!!

[Lt.Fireguy]

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

[ebonyharris]

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

[jordan_who]

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

[Defiantdemagogue]

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.

[arianeporciuncula]

Informative and honest view !!! Thanks

[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

[sheribailey]

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? :)

[ellen]

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

[joelimo]

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.

[amandalinhares]

You also have a launch at the upper deck