Silver Springs kayak and glass boat wildlife tour

Wild monkeys swing through the trees while you paddle past turtles and fish in water so clear you see the limestone floor.

A full-day tour from Orlando to Silver Springs State Park includes round-trip transportation, park admission and a live guide, with five hours to choose your own activities—kayak the Silver River, ride the glass bottom boat over underwater caverns, or hike shaded trails. The Glass Bottom Boat option is available at checkout; kayak and paddle boat rentals can be purchased on-site. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and pregnant travelers may join if under 24 weeks pregnant by trip end.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day nature trip to Silver Springs

• Travel from Orlando to Silver Springs
• Arrive at Silver Springs State Park
• Choose activities: kayak, glass bottom boat, or hike
• Explore park for up to five hours
• Return to Orlando

The Experience

Transportation picks you up from your Orlando hotel and handles the drive both ways, so you arrive at Silver Springs without the fatigue of navigating yourself. The park sits around one of the world's largest artesian spring formations—the water is so clear that the underwater landscape stays visible from the surface, and the springs feed into the Silver River, where the wildlife congregates. You get five hours on the ground to move at your own speed instead of following a fixed itinerary.

The Glass Bottom Boat is the signature experience here: you sit inside a vessel with a glass floor and watch the springs' underwater caverns and limestone formations pass beneath you, along with the fish and turtles that live in them. If you want to be on the water yourself, kayak rentals let you paddle the Silver River for an up-close view of wildlife—manatees, birds, and wild monkeys in the trees overhead. The hiking trails stay shaded and wind through the lush forests that once served as Hollywood backdrops. You can mix these, spend the whole five hours on one, or sit by the water and do nothing but watch.

Cash is necessary for activity rentals and any purchases at the park, so bring enough before you leave Orlando. The return trip gives you time to settle in and process what you saw before you're back at your hotel. A valid phone number is required for communication during the day, and you'll need to confirm your pickup location at least three days before departure—if you don't, the default is 9 a.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton on International Drive.

What’s included

• Round-trip transportation from your Orlando hotel in a comfortable, professionally maintained vehicle.
• a live English-speaking guide for the journey.
• Silver Springs State Park admission.
• and your choice at checkout of either the Glass Bottom Boat tour included or transportation only (with kayak rentals, paddle boat rentals and other activities available to purchase on-site).

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Jupiter Legend Corporation

Is this one for you?Book the Glass Bottom Boat option if you want the signature underwater view without paddling or hiking; choose Transportation Only if you'd rather spend your five hours kayaking, exploring trails or mixing activities at your own pace without committing to a single tour.

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Top questions

What exactly is the Glass Bottom Boat tour at Silver Springs?

The Glass Bottom Boat is a vessel with a glass floor that lets you sit inside and look straight down into the underwater springs, caverns and limestone formations without getting wet. You see the fish, turtles and rock formations that make up the spring ecosystem from a dry, seated vantage point.

Can I kayak on the Silver River, and what wildlife will I see?

Yes, kayak rentals are available on-site for an additional cost. Paddling the Silver River puts you close to turtles, fish, birds and wild monkeys in the trees—the water is clear enough that you can see down to the bottom as you move.

How much time do I actually spend at Silver Springs, and what can I fit in?

You have five hours at the park after arriving from Orlando. That's enough time to do the Glass Bottom Boat tour and a kayak paddle, or to spend the whole time on one activity, or to mix in hiking and just sitting by the water—you design the day.

Do I need to book the kayak rental and glass boat tour before I leave Orlando?

The Glass Bottom Boat tour is only included if you select that option at checkout. Kayak and paddle boat rentals can be purchased on-site when you arrive, so you don't have to commit before the trip.

What should I bring, and do I need cash?

Bring comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and drinks for hydration. Cash is required for activity rentals and any purchases at the park, so prepare enough before you leave Orlando.

What's the pickup process from my Orlando hotel?

You must contact the tour operator at least three days before departure to confirm your pickup location. If you don't provide one by the deadline, the default pickup is 9 a.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Orlando at SeaWorld on International Drive. A valid, reachable phone number is required for communication during the trip.