We try our best not to disturb them and have found the best way to keep them from entering the water is to not point your kayak directly at them and to utilize a smooth calm stroke. Then I saw Godzilla! Immediately & calmly retreated, gave respectable distance and have been nearly obsessed with these incredible creatures ever since!! Pingback: Top 5 Hotels in Orlando with a Pirate Ship Pool! With that said, we all have a healthy respect for them. Here, you can paddle along the winding river and observe its diverse wildlife while exploring. Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail, Florida State Park List JellyPressStore on Etsy, Take me to the River Sticker JellyPressStore on Etsy, 50 Inspiring Quotes about Travel and Family, Visiting Iceland with a Toddler: A Complete Guide. We kayak very often right from our backyard and after the tropical storm the water was up the the top of our sea wall. 3) Snorkel & Explore Dry Tortugas National Park. Theres no need to worry about alligators here as they are not present in the area, so if youre looking for a place to explore and observe wildlife while kayaking, the Suwannee River is your best bet. Region: An island off of the eastern coast of Florida, east of Ft. Myers and just north of Cape Coral. Ive never noticed gators reacting to me looking directly at them. There are no boat launch facilities on the Tampa Bypass Canal, but it is possible to hand-launch a canoe, kayak or other small boats from parks along the canal. The brisk flowing water easily Carries you down 6 miles of run, and shuttles will pick you up at the end dock. You will find beautiful scenery and plenty of wildlife to observe while exploring. 1 rule of alligator safety is an easy one. I saw 10+ gators but I also had 2 or 3 moments where everything was quiet but then the water erupted with splashing right in front of the kayak in a quick loud burst that scared me badly each time. Most often, we will enter the pond and spot one floating at the top, and as we get closer, they simply sink to the bottom and hope we pass by. Any body of fresh or brackish water in Florida potentially has an alligator in it, though they tend to be wary of people and usually retreat or keep their distance. Most often, nothing. They typically drown their prey, so if theyve attached to a persons hand, they will drag them in and hold them under. Sometimes while launching or gearing up for your paddle, you will notice one, two, or three gators on the move. If an alligator cant internally regulate their body temp then how do they do it? This park covers almost 40,000 acres and is home to thousands of alligators. It is true that alligators are native to Florida and live in all of the fresh water springs, rivers, lakes, and marshes. Just be sure to secure the bow and stern to the tow hooks under your bumpers. While climate change is a whole other story, one in which the forces of nature are again going to cause havoc to everything human, nature in the general sense of the word is also dangerous. Small children should not swim alone or be left unattended on the shore of a large Florida lake. It is best to take a bioluminescence tour in Florida from June to early October. Should I try punching it in the nose or hitting it with my paddle? And, how far away from it do you think I should paddle? This area is a part of the Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail Wildlife Management Area, where you can enjoy kayaking in the mangrove swamps, salt marshes, and tidal creeks. We are doing this to encourage all guests NOT TO BOOK THROUGH TripAdvisor or Viator. Tips on How to Stay Safe, 15 Best Baitcasting Reel Under $100 2022 - Improve your, Heavy Duty Fishing: 11 Best Rods And Reels For Big Fish 2022, 12 Best Spinning Reels Under 150 2022 - Budget Friendly, 12 Best Fishing Lures Ever 2022 - Baits That Revolutionized, 17 Best Trolling Reels 2022 - Enjoy your Fishing Adventure, How To Change Power Trim & Tilt Fluid For Yamaha Boats. We use the Preception 9.5 Sound Its a great boat for the backwaters of SW Florida. If we werent, we would be kayaking in Maine. Here, you can rent a kayak or take a guided tour along the river, where you will find beautiful springs where to stop and explore. It is designed more to educate the general public if they plan to kayak with alligators. Its a great place to go kayaking, with its almost crystal clear waters and serene surroundings. Besides, its really easy to reach the trail. So what are you waiting for? You will find many other kayakers here, so follow the local guidelines and regulations for a safe and enjoyable experience. You might miss loud splashes or even an alligator bellowing. If you are looking for a great place to kayak in Florida, Alexander Springs Recreation Area is an excellent choice. Why Is Boat Speedometer Not Working? Not only are these places safe, but also they are quite beautiful, and you must visit them. 2023 KayakPaddling.net is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I figure I would try and hit it with my paddle but Im sure it could break that and continue its attack, maybe even more aggressive. Thanks for all information. Luckily, kayakers are usually not perceived as a threat. Alligators live throughout Florida. This is why it is so important not to ever feed an alligator! Gator at Wakulla Springs, FL. If you are in Florida, swim at a pool or a swimming area that is guaranteed to be alligator free. You may have noticed I said if you kayak with alligators and they arent moving or making noise, you are safe. Alligators love their peace and quiet. 7 Ways. If you are interested in one of our kayak tours please dont hesitate to book one today! | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. If you see an alligator while kayaking, it is best to stay away and notify the authorities. If you wonder where to kayak in Florida without alligators, you can take a look at the following list. Yes, they are perceiving your kayak as an unknown, potential hazard and they're going to a different location where they feel safer. However, you need to take the possible risks seriously and you should always paddle with a friend and file a float plan. A quality jacket with pockets gives you quick access to your phone, a whistle (a sound-making device is required by law in most states), and other essentials like sunscreen, chapstick, and a knife Yes, it is intimidating, but if you know how to react, you can stay safe. Do Kayaks Need to Be Registered in Colorado? BK Adventure and A Day Away Kayak both provide the best bioluminescence tours in Florida and are highly recommended. Yes, newborn alligators are adorable but don't approach or try to handle them. Water-skiers in your group do not feed the gators, but other people might. You gain weight with the three-piece construction, but with that kayak, you dont lose much in performance. Again, try not to point directly at them, and as you start to get closer and closer, you will typically begin to see a subtle and controlled sink, then he disappears. They dont want to share the beach with anyone, and the largest alligators will start to defend their small pond or sunny patch of beach. In our waters its crazy the different types of splashes we can get. What to do if you see an alligator while kayaking? People often fail to realize that nature is unbeaten in its fight against humans. - Just Go! By maintaining precautions, you can safely kayak with the alligators. Unlike people, alligators are cold-blooded, meaning they are not able to regulate their own body temperature. Thanks for the information perhaps some day we shall paddle . Motors up to 10 horsepower are permitted. Thanks! Alexander Springs Recreation Area. Winter is the best time to go kayaking in Florida. What happens if you are kayaking and you see an alligator in the water? For this reason, its important to be aware of areas where alligators are known to reside so that you can avoid them and stay safe while kayaking. 2) Train Like An Astronaut At The Kennedy Space Center. Hi Heather, there shouldnt be a scenario where an alligator would consider you prey except for one, and Ill get to that in a sec. You will see about a foot or two of their head, or the telltale eyes and nose only. Kayakers cannot resist disturbing the gators when kayaking in Florida and they bother them until one attacks. Where to get the best brunch: New Smyrna Beach 2022 - Just Go! Let me rephrase that, these are the scenarios when you should take extra precautions when kayaking with alligators and when you should pay closer attention to their body language and your surroundings. Its simple when a sandbar is warmer than the water, gators will exit and bask in the sun. After all, this is a pretty serious subject. June 16, 2022. Manatees can be seen congregate in the Florida springs from late November to March. The trigger for us is as reliable as my Toyota tundra. Are there alligators in the intracoastal waterway in north carolina? Back to why an alligator would see you as prey. Alligators are just as afraid of us as we are of them, so typically if a kayak enters an alligator area, they will duck below the water and hide. Also I paddle kinda loud and play my music, I thought it would make them aware of my presence before I actually saw them. Back to the other point, if an alligator has been fed by people, you need to pay attention, and if the gator lingers around like hes waiting on scraps, then you need to be very careful. It is designed more to educate the general public if they plan to kayak with alligators. JOHNS COUNTY - See you later, alligator! Rentals and tours are available from Crystal River Kayak Company. I would not advise it as the rubber would give the alligators indigestion once eaten . If it seems like they are waiting for a scrap you need to be extra careful. My life is all about it. I currently kayak Northeast Creek in Jacksonville NC. A good thing about it all is that no alligator attacks without being unprovoked. So if youre planning a kayak trip to Florida, keep these points in mind to have a fun and safe time! If the water temps are warmer than the air temp, they will simply float in the water. Similarly, there are also some places you should avoid at all costs because of the high population of Alligators. But is it really safe to kayak in waters where alligators are known to live? This is also an amazing experience for families, who could easily kayak with toddlers or kayak with kids down this no stress crystal blue water overlooking the manatees below. Keep exploring and dont hesitate to send me another message if you have more questions! 1. Are you looking for where to kayak in Florida without alligators? Even if they swim at you, they are hopefully false charging. What Safety Equipment is Required On a Kayak In Florida? Explore the Best 10 Florida Springs Near Orlando! It is quite the sight to see and a safe place to kayak through. 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