Kayaking Silver Springs: Manatees, monkeys & wildlife

Two hours paddling past manatees, monkeys and hidden relics

Kayaking Silver Springs is a guided paddling tour through Florida's crystal-clear spring waters where you paddle alongside manatees, monkeys, alligators and turtles. A live guide in English or Spanish points out wildlife and teaches the local history and river ecology as you go. Boats, paddles, life vests and dry bags are provided. The guide carries all equipment to and from the launch so you focus on paddling. Park admission and launch fees are paid separately to the state park.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kayak tour on Silver River

• Meet experienced guides
• Receive all equipment
• Paddle down Silver River
• Observe wildlife and relics
• Learn local history
• Take photos of journey

The experience

What makes paddling Silver Springs different from a lake or coastal kayak is the water itself, so clear you see the bottom and the wildlife moving through it. Your guide takes you down the river for two hours, stopping where manatees gather, where monkeys move through the trees, and where alligators and turtles sun themselves on the banks. The guide points out the hidden relics along the river and explains what you're seeing: the ecology, the history, why the animals are here. You choose your boat at checkout: a tandem kayak if you're paddling with someone, a solo sit-on-top if you're alone, a clear-bottom kayak if you want to see straight down into the water, or a paddleboard if that's your preference.

The gear is handled for you. The guide carries the boats, paddles, life vests and dry bags to the launch, so you arrive and paddle instead of managing equipment. Children from age 2 can go (infants sit on an adult's lap), and the tour suits all fitness levels. Service animals are welcome. You'll leave with photos. The guide is trained to position the boat so you get them. The whole experience runs two and a half hours from launch to return.

What’s included

• Kayak or paddleboard (your choice of tandem, solo, clear-bottom or paddleboard at checkout).
• paddles, life vest and dry bag.
• a live guide in English or Spanish who carries all equipment to and from the launch.
• wildlife stops and local history narration throughout the two-and-a-half-hour paddle.

Options for this experience

4 options

Sassy's clear kayak tourGuide in English or Spanish · 5 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 15:00Clear tandem kayak: priced per person, 400 lb weight limit, 250 lb per rider, riders aged 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult

Solo sit-on-topGuide in English or Spanish · 5 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 15:00Solo sit-on-top kayak: not clear, 350 lb weight limit, riders must be 14 or older to ride alone

Tandem kayak tourGuide in English or Spanish · 5 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 15:00Tandem kayak: priced per boat for 2 people, 550 lb weight limit, riders aged 14 and under must ride with an adult

Paddle board tourGuide in English or Spanish · 5 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 15:00Paddle board: 250 lb limit for hard board, 480 lb limit for inflatable, riders must be 14 or older

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 2h 30m, runs every day, 5 start times, from US$ 75 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: 09:30, 10:30, 12:30, 13:30 and 15:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 161 private ›

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (17 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (6 to 16 years) · Child (2 to 5 years)

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sassy’s Sliver Springs Kayak and Paddleboard Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the tandem kayak if you're paddling with a partner and want to share the boat. Pick the solo sit-on-top or paddleboard if you prefer to paddle on your own. The clear-bottom kayak is worth it if seeing straight down into the water where the manatees and turtles move is your main draw.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 16 years); Child (2 to 5 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife will I actually see on this kayak tour?

Manatees, monkeys, alligators, and turtles are the main animals your guide takes you to meet in Silver Springs. The guide also points out the relics and teaches you about the river ecology and local history as you paddle.

Do I need my own kayak or paddleboard, or is equipment included?

Boats, paddles, life vests and dry bags are all included. The guide carries the equipment to and from the boat launch so you can focus on paddling and watching for wildlife.

How long is the paddling tour?

The tour runs two and a half hours on the water. You'll paddle down Silver River with your guide, who stops to show you wildlife and explain the local history and river ecology.

What's the difference between the kayak and paddleboard options?

You choose at checkout: tandem kayak (two people), solo sit-on-top kayak (one person), clear-bottom kayak (see straight down into the water), or paddleboard. All options include the same guide, wildlife stops and two-and-a-half-hour route.

Are park fees and launch fees included in the tour price?

Park admission and launch fees are paid separately to the state park and are not included in the tour price.