Top 5 Kayaking Spots In Orlando
- The Weekiva River
The Wekiva River is a 16-mile-long National Wild and Scenic River that flows from Apopka to the St. John’s River. It can be a good place to get away from the amusement park crowds.
Wekiwa Springs State Park is a short drive from Orlando’s tourist attractions and is located in north Orange County. A kayak launch as well as kayak rentals are available at the park. On weekends and during holidays, however, this park may become very crowded.
Katie’s Landing at the Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park has a kayak launch if you have your own kayak and want a calmer place. It’s about a 10-mile paddle north of Wekiwa Springs to get here.
- Shingle Creek
Shingle Creek is a large tributary of Lake Toho that runs through the International Drive area and Kissimmee proper before entering southern Orange County. Because of their importance in a number of Everglades restoration programs, wetlands in the area are legally protected. With a one-mile trail in each direction, Steffee Landing in Shingle Creek Regional Park is an ideal launch site for paddlers.
The creek and its environs were named after construction shingles produced from the bark of the trees that lined the creek’s banks. Because motorized boats are not permitted in the park, guests can unwind while listening to the sounds of nature on the lake.
The pristine, flowing waters of the Weeki Wachee River, less than a 2-hour drive from Orlando, are ideal for sightseeing and animal viewing. The Mermaid Show is also held at Weeki Wachee State Park.
- Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
The expedition starts in the state park upon hiring solo or dual kayaks. It is a self-guided, 5.5-mile trek that will take around 3 hours without stopping. If you would like to travel at a slower tempo, take the water and a lunch as well. The pure water allows you to discover a variety of wildlife, such as manatees, otters, turtles, and more.
- Lake County Blueways
The Lake County Blueways are a collection of eight routes that use markers to lead tourists along and offer a variety of kayaking experiences all in one central place. This series of blueways is an octet different enough to appeal to a wide spectrum of people—and they’re within a 45-minute drive from Orlando’s city center.
- Indian River Lagoon
The Indian River Lagoon is about an hour’s drive from Orlando on the east coast of Central Florida. This coastal river lagoon is a famous spot for kayak fishing and night kayaking to enjoy bioluminescence, a natural phenomena.
You may launch your kayak from a variety of places, including areas where you can park and launch your car. A kayak launch is located at Sand Point Park in Titusville, and another is located just across the bridge at Parrish Park in Titusville.