Silver Springs Glass Bottom Kayak Tour: See Manatees

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1/25

Duration2h

GroupUp to 10

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Two hours paddling through glass-clear water, manatees and turtles below you, a guide pointing out what moves in the springs

A 2-hour guided kayak tour of Silver Springs in a transparent kayak with a local expert, paddling through calm, crystal-clear spring water with guaranteed wildlife sightings of manatees, monkeys, turtles, birds and fish. Groups stay small at up to 10 guests, all ages welcome from 3 years old, and the tour includes kayak equipment, safety gear and photos of your experience. You choose between the Manatee Season tour or the Glass Bottom Kayak Tours option, with park entry and launch fees depending on which you select.

Step-by-step itinerary

Clear kayak tour at Silver Springs

Meet local expert guide
Launch clear kayak on spring
Paddle through crystal-clear water
Observe wildlife including manatees and turtles
Complete 2-hour guided kayak tour

The Experience

Two hours is long enough to paddle into the rhythm of the springs without rushing. You'll sit in a 100% clear kayak—the bottom is transparent, so everything beneath you is visible as you move through water so calm it barely ripples. A local guide leads groups of up to 10 people, which means you're not fighting for space or competing for sightings. The water temperature stays constant year-round, fed by underground springs, and that stability is what keeps the wildlife predictable: manatees, turtles, monkeys, birds and fish move through the same channels the kayak does.

The kayak itself handles beginners and experienced paddlers equally well. Tandem kayaks are available if you want to paddle with someone else, and the guide provides paddles, seats, lifejackets and whistles. Dry bags keep your phone and keys safe. You'll get photos of the experience afterward—the guide captures moments as you paddle, so you have proof of what you saw without holding a camera the whole time. Infants sit on an adult's lap; children from age 3 are welcome. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and service animals are allowed on board.

What matters before you book: you'll choose between the Manatee Season tour or the Glass Bottom Kayak Tours option at checkout. Depending on which you pick, Silver Springs State Park entry and the kayak launch fee may be included or separate. Both options run the same 2-hour paddle with the same guide and equipment—the difference is what's bundled into the price. Check which option covers park entry if that changes your decision.

What’s included

Tandem or solo kayak with paddles and seats.
lifejackets and whistles.
dry bags for personal items.
photos taken during the paddle.
a local guide leading groups of up to 10 people.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessiblePets welcomeNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Get Up And Go Kayaking - Silver Springs

Is this one for you?Book the Manatee Season tour if you want to paddle when manatees are most active in the springs; choose the Glass Bottom Kayak Tours option if you prefer flexibility on dates and want to confirm what's bundled into the price before committing. Either way, the transparent kayak and small group size mean you'll see wildlife without fighting for position or missing what the guide points out.