From freshwater sources to salt water. From drifting with the current to calm canoeing From active night life to calm and moderate resorts…
The state of Florida, from the point of view of any tourist, is a real “full bowl of activities”.
On the Gulf Coast, along the western coast of the Florida peninsula, magnificent offshore islands stretch with warm water and a subtropical climate.
Indeed, Florida is so different.
The state of Florida is located on an aquifer, so fresh water bubbles up from the ground throughout the state, mostly in the mid-state, resulting in a few springs and swimming holes on the peninsula.
Florida boasts the largest collection of freshwater springs on Earth.
Now, close your eyes and imagine yourself kayaking in chilly water.
The sun is shining, the sound of the sea calms our mind, and this effort strengthens your muscles.
And there is nothing better than exercising and enjoying it.
This activity fills you and excites you during every workout; there is no pain.
Since they are all crystal clear and stay fresh all year round, picking a favorite for kayaking can be a challenging task, but read my suggestions for The Best Springs in Florida to Kayak” and choose your best place for Kayaking.
Best Springs in Florida to Kayak
Ocala forest Springs
There are over 600 reservoirs in the Ocala Forest: rivers, lakes, and springs.
In some of them, it is allowed to swim and dive.
The most picturesque lakes are Juniper Springs, Salt Springs, Alexander Springs, and Silver Glen Springs.
Travelers come here for colorful snorkeling, kayaking, and just to see the breathtaking underwater world.
Thousands of tourists come to spend time in the bosom of nature.
Dozens of campsites are scattered throughout the forest, from small campsites to full-board camps.
There are cabins for family and group travelers; they need to be booked in advance.
The Ocala National Forest is a great place to visit throughout the year.
With mild winters, the woods can be visited for family camping, and in the summer, you can go canoeing or hiking to explore the local ecosystem.
Other popular activities here include horseback riding, deer hunting, and fishing.
Crystal River
Crystal River and Kings Bay are the main places for kayaking.
This calm and spacious bay includes a group of fresh springs that make diving even more interesting; you are surrounded by grottoes, rock formations, and a wide variety of fish.
The main attraction is manatees. They bask in the warm waters of Kings Bay, giving people a rare opportunity to see them up close.
Ginny Springs
For visitors looking for clear Florida, there is nothing better than Ginny Springs.
It is located two hours from major centers such as Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee, off the beaten path but easily accessible.
While there, you can swim in a chamber or enjoy one of the most beautiful freshwater dives in the world, or if the water is too chilly for you, enjoy it all without a dive by kayaking and canoeing.
Rainbow Springs
Rainbow Springs, formerly known as Blue Springs, is an artesian spring formation in Marion County, Florida.
Rainbow Springs State Park is home to a thousand years of history and even a few waterfalls.
Canoes and kayaks can be rented, but visitors can also go tubing, rowing, swimming, or simply hiking along the trails.
Rainbow Springs is now a private tourist attraction, as it was in the past.
Work out in the park and then take a refreshing dip in the springs for the perfect Florida summer day.
Madison Blue Springs
Madison Blue Springs, located near the Florida-Georgia border, is on the west bank of the Withlacoochee River and is home to one of Florida’s 33 first-magnitude springs.
(The magnitude of a spring is determined by the volume of flow per unit time, and springs of the first magnitude are the largest, releasing at least 65 million gallons of water per day.)
The springs have underwater caves, sapphire waters, and a lush forest surrounding them…
It is a paradise for swimmers, kayakers, and scuba divers.
Wekiwa Springs
Wekiwa Springs State Park, located about 20 minutes north of Orlando, is an easy addition to any Florida vacation.
Here you have plenty of adventure—horseback riding, bike trails, kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, and much more.
Wekiwa Springs is practically a theme park in its own right, but it celebrates nature, not man-made wonders.
The Everglades National Park
For nature lovers, the Everglades National Park is an excellent opportunity for canoeing and kayaking.
Consisting of 1.5 million acres of protected swamps and meandering waterways, the array of unique habitats is filled with hundreds of species of birds and marine life.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rower, you can plan a unique tour of this hidden South Florida gem.
What is the Prettiest Natural Spring in Florida?
In Florida, you are spoiled for choice with the prettiest natural springs, as there are over 700 natural freshwater springs in the state.
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park combines crystal-clear waters with a spectacular mermaid spectacle, while Rainbow Springs State Park features cascading waterfalls alongside five major springs.
Ginny Springs in High Springs is one of the cleanest swimming spots in the state; Ichetuckney Springs State Park is a secluded spot perfect for tubing; and Blue Springs Park is a family-friendly area with a docking station for diving.
Kayaking With Alligators
Kayaking with alligators sounds unsafe, but in fact, it may be stipulated that those who do it respect the animals whose homes they invade.
Organized classes, where groups of kayakers take it in turns to see alligators, do exist and are led by experienced paddlers and wildlife experts.
However, doing it yourself is always dangerous because few people know what not to do.
Education and information will help you stay safe while kayaking with alligators in Florida.
They have excellent hearing and can sense vibrations in the water, so they let them know you are there long before you see them.
If you leave them alone and keep your distance while paddling, you will never have any problems.
Kayakers can’t resist harassing alligators while kayaking in Florida, and they harass them until one of them attacks.
Then, of course, they blame it on the animal and call the area an alligator-infested body of water.
This is their natural home, and the fact that humans are invading the water means the water is teeming with people.
Throwing rocks, getting too close to a group of alligators, screaming, and paddling deliberately too loudly are all excellent recipes for getting up close and personal with the largest and most dangerous reptile in existence.
