Quick Details
Experience Manatee Season on the Weeki Wachee River!
Glide over the crystal-clear waters of this natural Florida spring where the manatees and mermaids swim, see diverse marine life and the underwater world below your clear kayak!
These large aquatic mammals call the Weeki Wachee River home all year long, but during cooler months more manatees use the Weeki Wachee as their warm water winter habitat (November 14-March 31st).
As you kayak away from our launch, Mary’s Fish Camp, through the salt marsh the water becomes more clear the further up river we paddle! While paddling, remember to look through your clear kayak to see the underwater world below! These bucket list views on Weeki Wachee are located just an hour north of Tampa/St.Pete and two hours west of Orlando.
Look for incredible wildlife while you take in these iconic views!
Keep your eyes peeled for manatees, dolphins, bald eagles, alligators, birds, fish, and turtles who call these waters home all year long!
Chances are you’ll see a variety of wildlife but sightings are random and not guaranteed. Be on the lookout for our nesting pair of Bald Eagles October- May! During the winter months join us for Manatee Season November- March when our population of manatees doubles! Throughout the year, dolphins frolic in the crystal-clear waters and manatees love to swim past our 2-hour guided adventure that includes a beginner/intermediate paddle upstream with a drift paddle back to the launch site.
Learn about manatees, the river and ecosystems from your 5-star rated and Save the Manatee Club certified Guardian Guide! We foster a commitment to education, stewardship and responsible ecotourism. A portion of each reservation is donated to manatee conservation! Book now for your chance to meet our gentle giants and take home clearly unique memories that will last forever!
Learn about wildlife and the area from experienced guides and live it like the locals from the #1 guides in the area!
TripAdvisor rated Get Up and Go Kayaking as the #1 Nature & Outdoor Experience!
Your guide will welcome you and provide brief paddling and safety instructions. Then, you’ll be off on an adventure as your tour guide leads the way through the salt creeks, along cypress and tree covered canals to the Weeki Wachee River! If the tide is high, your guide will lead the way through a hidden path with a great view of our bald eagle’s nest! You’ll also take breaks along where we remain in the kayaks, take in the views, and be surrounded by nature. Your guide will be happy to take photos and make sure you have fun along the way!
Kayak at night on a glow tour and illuminate the water below. Enjoy a unique nighttime tour while your color-changing, waterproof LED lights illuminate the waters below your clear kayak.
Take a clear kayak at night on a glow tour and illuminate the water below. Enjoy a unique nighttime tour while your color-changing, waterproof LED lights illuminate the waters below your 100% clear paddle board! Explore these crystal clear waters at night while looking for wildlife, taking in the stars, and lighting up the water beneath you. Depending on the departure time, you may see one of those incredible sunsets that the Gulf of Mexico is known for! As the night darkens you’ll turn on your lights to glow up the water below. Your tour guide will lead the way on a true adventure through the Weeki Wachee River River and surrounding area! Plan on wearing long sleeves and/or long pants, with bug spray underneath your clothing to deter bugs.
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- Use of crystal clear kayak
- Informative and knowledgeable tour guide
- Safety equipment
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- Reservations are required for all tours.
- The weight limit is 425 pounds per boats and no more than 250 pounds per seat. Each of our kayaks are doubles (tandem).
- You must have the ability to lift yourself up and off the ground as our launch is sloped.
- You must have the ability to sit in the same position for 2+ hours.
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Many factors influence these dynamic eco systems including (but not limited to):
- Rain
- Tide
- Wind
During a high tide, and following rain we can’t ensure the clarity and visibility of the Weeki Wachee River. During rainy season the river can be subject to periods of reduced visibility.
FAQ's
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- Reservations are required for all tours.
- This is a no-exit tour. We stay in our kayaks for the duration of the tour.
- Alcohol is prohibited throughout the Weeki Wachee River by order of Hernando County.
- Adventure pups are not permitted during manatee season!
- Manatees and other wildlife are wild! We cannot guarantee sightings though we do our best to take you to the places where we are most likely to see them based on the day’s conditions!
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We encourage you to bring the following:
- Clothes that you don’t mind getting a little wet.
- Polarized sunglasses- A MUST FOR BEST MANATEE AND WILDLIFE VIEWING.
- Towel for after the trip.
- Reusable water bottle.
- Any extra gear you’d like. Remember- the less gear, the more visibility through the kayak.
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- Every tour is given on one of our 100% clear kayaks or clear stand-up paddle boards!
- Our fleet is small (5-6 vessels) so expect an exclusive experience!
- Private tours are available starting at $725 – up to 10 people.
- Our guides are always helpful, entertaining and educational (and they appreciate tips).
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- Yes, children 3+ are allowed on tours.
- Children 6 and under are required by law to wear a life jacket at all times while on the water.
- The ability of your child to sit in a kayak for the duration of the tour is completely up to the parent.
- We require children 30 pounds or under to bring their own life jacket as the size is very specific and safety is of utmost importance.
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- Our tours are made for any skill level to participate, we will have basic tips/tricks to help you maneuver the waterways and paddling safety information. Tours will have participants of varying ability from beginner to this is not their first paddling trip! Some paddling may be considered intermediate due to conditions such as wind or tide but we try our best to paddle at a pace that is convenient for every paddler! We do require all guests to stay with the group. We also ask that all guests have upper body mobility and capacity to lift themselves out of the kayak from a seated position on the ground.
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- Tips are greatly appreciated. We like to say, “If you enjoyed your ride, tip your guide!”
Standard US gratuity is 20%!
- Tips are greatly appreciated. We like to say, “If you enjoyed your ride, tip your guide!”
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- YES! Our weight limit is no more than 250 pounds per person and no more than 425 pounds per 2 people that are in the same kayak. All of our kayaks are double kayaks. Unfortunately our kayak manufacturer has given us this strict limit of 250 pounds per person and we cannot exceed this limit.
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- Each of our kayaks are tandem (made for 2 paddlers). However, the seats are removable and if you have an odd number of paddlers in your party we are able to accommodate the kayak as a single. Please remember our weight limit policy, the same 250 pound PER person weight limit still applies even if taking a kayak out as a single.
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We like to say it’s always a hope never a promise! This is a wildlife experience and we cannot guarantee that we will see wildlife on our tours- half the fun is learning how to spot the signs and clues that wildlife like manatees leave behind for us to find!
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Cancellation Policy All Sales Final: Once booked, all sales are final, and no cancellations are permitted unless specified otherwise.
Unsafe Weather: In the event of unsafe weather, we offer the option to reschedule or provide a full refund.
Trips that are canceled by Get Up And Go Kayaking due to inclement weather, will not be charged; if your card has been charged prior to the trip, all funds will be refunded.
Get Up And Go Kayaking cannot wait past the scheduled tour departure time for any party that is running late for the scheduled tour/launch time. These are small group tours + it is important that we depart on time.
No-show participants will be charged full price.