Fla. Kayak Trips

**im22sniper** · 02-28-2012, 16:16

Greetings, Im getting a kayak this next week and would like to get some ideas for river or coastal trips that I can take with my buddies in our kayaks and hammocks. I have looked into the Ocklawaha and the Withlacoochee as promising. Any of you Fla boys have any good trips that you would recommend? Two of my buddies still tent camp so take that into consideration. If I can get some snakes to crawl into their tents, I may be able to convert them to swingers.
I live in Apopka (Central Florida) so I have already done the old standby trips (Rock Springs run and Wekiwa river). Looking for 1/2 day paddling/fishing then camp then 1/2 day paddling to the take out. Take out doesnt have to be the same place we put in at.

**Duffy** · 02-29-2012, 09:27

My new favorite is the Sante Fe, up near Gainesville. Lots of memories on the Suwannee< too.

**zukiguy** · 02-29-2012, 16:24

Check these folks out on meetup:
http://www.meetup.com/Central-Florid...packing-group/

This group has kind of split into the hiking crowd and the kayaking crowd with the kayak trips outnumbering everything else. I haven't found a bad paddle so far. Just check out their list of upcoming trips for some good ideas.

The Santa Fe (love the springs) is my favorite for a summer trip. It's been a really dry year though so the water level is pretty low.

**kayak karl** · 02-29-2012, 16:28

some of these people are on this site
http://www.meetup.com/Florida-Trail-...embers/584336/
http://www.meetup.com/NFL-Paddlers/

**Rachel** · 02-29-2012, 17:53

I hiked the Big Oak Trail up there 2 weeks ago (a lot of it is Fl Trail) and it was absolutely beautiful. The water was VERY low though. A kayak should be fine to get across some of the shoals. It was really spectacular because you could see a bunch of limestone formations normally underwater. Definitely my favorite place I've hiked in Florida so far.

**samsara** · 02-29-2012, 18:18

Originally Posted by zukiguy

Check these folks out on meetup:
http://www.meetup.com/Central-Florid...packing-group/

This group has kind of split into the hiking crowd and the kayaking crowd with the kayak trips outnumbering everything else. I haven't found a bad paddle so far. Just check out their list of upcoming trips for some good ideas.

The Santa Fe (love the springs) is my favorite for a summer trip. It's been a really dry year though so the water level is pretty low.

Nice group (very active)... I just joined!

Dave

**jazzalbart** · 06-19-2012, 07:48

First of all you have to determine where you want to go kayaking. Certain rivers are less difficult to traverse than others. If there's whitewater rafting-style waves, stay out of these if you're a beginner.

touring kayak

**MAD777** · 06-19-2012, 08:34

PM Timberrr on this forum. He & his wife Gumbo kayak all over central Florida.

**SamD** · 06-20-2012, 22:14

Wallkula Springs (south of Tallahassee) down to the Gulf is beautiful.
The original Tarzan movies with Johnny Wismiller was filmed there as well as Sea Hunt!

**romany** · 06-21-2012, 05:58

paddle the Sante Fe to the Suwanee is a great trip, though there was a report of green slime at Poe Springs last week. The river is 5' lower than a few years ago. (The overdraining of the acquifer by commercial wells is affecting the Suwanee ande Silver River as well). Don't miss the Itchetucknee at Ft White. The Silver River then down the Ocklawaha is a good trip too and would meet your time frame.

If you're ever in the Venice area, stop by and I'll show you some saltwater paddling with dolphins and manatee.