Winter Park Chain of Lakes: Clear Kayak Tour Orlando

See straight through the kayak to the lake floor while paddling past Winter Park's grandest homes

You paddle a transparent kayak through five connected lakes and canals in Winter Park, watching fish and wildlife from directly above the lake floor. The tour includes all gear, a guide, and lasts two hours with five distinct stops. Book if you want to see what's under the water without getting wet or arranging your own transport and equipment.

Step-by-step itinerary

Clear Kayak Tour on Winter Park Lakes

• Start at Lake Virginia
• Paddle through Fern Canal
• Glide across Lake Osceola
• Continue through Venetian Canal
• Paddle across Lake Maitland
• Return to Lake Virginia

The experience

The moment you push off Lake Virginia, you notice the water beneath you isn't hidden. It's completely transparent. The kayak itself disappears. You're floating above the lake bed, watching fish dart between plants and turtles glide past without any hull between you and them. That's the whole point of the clear kayak tour through Winter Park's Chain of Lakes, and it changes how you see a paddle that might otherwise feel routine.

The guide leads you through five connected lakes and canals over two hours, starting on Lake Virginia and winding into the tree-lined Fern Canal where the water narrows and the canopy closes in. Then you cross into Lake Osceola, paddle the Venetian Canal (which actually does look like something from Venice, minus the crowds), and finish on Lake Maitland, the biggest of the five. The route stays calm (no whitewater, no current to fight), so you're really just moving at a steady pace and looking. Birds show up constantly. Herons, egrets, cormorants. Fish are visible in the shallows. The homes along the banks are the kind of place that makes you wonder what the mortgage looks like, but they're part of the landscape, not the point.

You'll paddle a tandem kayak, that's a two-seater, so either you're with a friend or family member, or the guide pairs you with another traveler. All the gear comes with you: paddles, life jacket, and the kayak itself. The tour starts and ends at Lake Virginia, and the whole thing takes about two hours from the moment you launch. Public transportation stops nearby if you're not driving, though most people come by car. The pace is easy enough that you don't need to be an athlete, but you do need to be comfortable paddling for two hours straight and getting in and out of a kayak a few times.

What’s included

Your tour includes a transparent tandem kayak, paddles, and a fitted life jacket. A guide leads the full two-hour paddle through all five lakes and canals (Lake Virginia, Fern Canal, Lake Osceola, Venetian Canal, and Lake Maitland), and you launch and return from Lake Virginia.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 10:30 and 13:15

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (3 to 17 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

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

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.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

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Get Up And Go Kayaking - Winter Park

Is this one for you?Pick this tour if you want to see what's under the water without renting a kayak yourself or figuring out which lakes to paddle: the clear hull and the guided route do both jobs at once.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 17 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

How long is the Winter Park clear kayak tour?

Two hours from start to finish, including paddling through all five lakes and canals.

What's included in the tour?

Kayak, paddles, life jacket, and a guide. You don't bring your own gear.

Can I go alone, or do I have to share the kayak?

All kayaks are tandem (two-seaters). You'll paddle with a friend, family member, or another guest paired by the operator.

What wildlife will I see?

Herons, egrets, cormorants, fish, and turtles are common. You see them from the transparent kayak, often from directly above.

Do I need kayaking experience?

No, but you need moderate fitness to paddle for two hours and be comfortable getting in and out of a kayak.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. Each paddler can weigh no more than 250 pounds, and the combined weight in a tandem kayak cannot exceed 425 pounds.

How do I get to the starting point?

Public transportation is available nearby. Most guests drive, but the tour location is accessible without a car.

What if the weather is bad?

Check with the operator about their weather policy. The tour runs on calm water, so heavy rain or wind may affect scheduling.

What should I wear?

Wear clothes you don't mind getting wet or splashed. Sunscreen and a hat are a good idea. Water shoes or sandals work better than regular shoes.