Gator Viewing Clear Kayak Springs Tour

Explore Florida’s wildlife on a clear kayak tour. Spot gators, monkeys, and manatees with expert guides. Discover the vibrant Silver River ecosystem.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Silver Springs State Park - Experience Florida’s stunning alligators safely from a clear kayak or paddleboard with our expert guides!

We love introducing Florida’s cherished wildlife at its very first attraction to new friends at the beautiful and unique Silver Springs in Central Florida.

We’ll glide through the crystal-clear waters of the Silver River, where an abundance of wildlife and hidden treasures await. Gators bask on the riverbanks, and there’s so much more to see! Many movies, including the original Tarzan films and a 007 movie, were shot here. The abandoned movie props will make you feel like you’re on a jungle adventure!

You might spot gators, fish, turtles, waterfowl, and even manatees and monkeys. The water is so clear that the vibrant blues and greens seem almost unreal.

Even if you’re a complete beginner, this paddle session is very calm and relaxing. Our friendly guides will be with you every step of the way, sharing interesting facts and history while ensuring you feel safe and confident.

Each guest will receive plenty of hands-on instruction during this guided tour, and life vests will be provided for all participants.

What's Included
  • Photos
  • Stand Up Paddleboard or Kayak, Paddle, Life Vest and Leash
What's Not Included
  • $6 per person State Park/launch fee
  • Bottled water
Additional Information

Observe Florida’s iconic wildlife safely on the Silver River with a knowledgeable guide. You might encounter monkeys, manatees, and more in this authentic Florida adventure, where nature’s colors are at their most stunning.

Experience the tour on one of our ultra-stable clear kayaks or paddleboards, offering an incredible view into the crystal-clear waters. You’ll spot numerous fish, turtles, and even alligators.

Our approachable guides will accompany you throughout the journey, providing insights into the ecology of this unspoiled Florida habitat.

  • Make sure you are comfortable around water. Let your guide know if you are not a strong swimmer before the tour begins.
Location
Silver Springs State Park
East Silver Springs Boulevard
When you arrive at Silver Springs State Park follow the large arrow head on the sign into the parking area (turn to the left). Once you turn, drive straight and park all the way at the far end of the lot. You will meet your guide in the wood chip staging area near the Paddling Adventure Launch.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(9 Ratings)
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1 star
T2710zsrebeccad
Dec 21, 2022
Unexpected cold front? No problem. - Our family of four had a great time on our kayak tour. Our guides were awesome and very respectful of the natural environment. We were fortunate enough to observe a lot of natural wildlife - manatee, alligator, fish and birds. For us, the weather turned a little chilly, but our guides helped us stay dry all the way from our hats to our sneakers. If you don’t want to get wet, just ask the guides for their pro tips. :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stumbok
Nov 27, 2022
Highly recommend! - Rich, our guide, was funny, personable, and informative! His enthusiasm and love for wildlife is contagious. I absolutely appreciate all the pictures he took too! Photos included us with the manatees…pics we could’ve never been able to get for ourselves
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jenfoz75
Oct 11, 2022
We loved it! 🥰 - We had the best time on this tour, beautiful scenery, lovely group to paddle with and great tour guides. The water was calm, crystal clear and beautifully warm (I know this because I fell in!!) - thanks to Angie for guiding us on two paddle tours while we were in Orlando!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maps665207
Sep 27, 2022
Worthwhile Family Kayak Family Adventure! - What a great trip we had with our family! The clear kayaks were really exciting to use! Silver Springs Park was so beautiful & our guide was excellent in pointing out all that it has to offer. We did not want our tour to end! It was a great introduction for our kids into kayaking & being able to see through our boat was so cool! Thank you so much!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
K8635hvaprilm
Aug 12, 2022
Amazing!! - Definitely a must do! Our teenagers loved it and we saw so many manatee’s. We did the paddle boards and none of us were experienced. Aron was very informative and made the whole experience even better.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sunshinencoastlines
Jun 2, 2022
What a beautiful way to spend the day!!! - Abundant wildlife, stunning scenery, peace and quiet and helpful attendants. A beautiful day spent in God’s amazing nature.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Uhmone
Mar 23, 2022
Silver springs - amazing tour guides! both super nice, understanding and helpful. when i first got in i had no idea what i was doing, but with some help from tracy i was the first in the line! Aaron will give you a good laugh too! always made sure they were keeping us safe from the gators too.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Greta_m
Mar 7, 2022
Paddle board with pals - Our guide had excellent rescue skills. He was also very knowledgeable. Silver Springs is vey beautiful & full of a lot of cool animals to see.
Review provided by Viator
Maerodgers
Jul 14, 2021
Spectacular views! - We rented two sit in kayaks after hearing many refer to tandem kayaks as divorce kayaks. Ha! We did the two hour kayak trip and it was awesome. The first mile was downstream through shaded channels. We saw lots of turtles and birds. Then, you come out into the main area where the glass bottom boats are. Now it is time to paddle upstream and navigate away from the boats. We used to own kayaks and are comfortable with them. The views are spectacular. Fish were coming right up to the edge of our kayaks. We did not see monkeys or manatee. We wanted to return the next day to do the full day paddle to Ray Wayside. That’s all downstream and then they have a shuttle pick you up. There’s a chance to see monkeys further downstream. Unfortunately, there were thunderstorms anticipated, so didn’t go. Next time we will do that kayak tour. The website still says they aren’t offering the full day (4 hours) with shuttle, but they are. You can just show up without a reservation, but noon is the last put in for the long kayak trip. The staff were very helpful getting you in and out of the water and kayaks.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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