Kayaking Florida's Nature Coast

The Trip

“A string of counties studded with emerald-like gulf waters, deep springs and rivers, stretching along the same Florida coast.”

This is how Sierra Club founder and naturalist John Muir described the Nature Coast in 1867. Much of the area has remained unchanged from its original appearance: brackish creeks run through a forest of towering pines and shady oaks where bald eagles build their nests, nature trails take you through a habitat that is over a century preserved, crystal clear, spring-fed rivers, and springs beckon you to explore them. Historical Florida enchants you as a place trapped in time.

The 980,000-acre stretch known as Florida’s Nature Coast is home to 19 endangered species, wildlife parks, preserved antebellum homes, pioneer homesteads, and countless waterways to paddle.

Florida has 174 award-winning state parks, trails, and historic sites. Rainbow Springs State Park includes Florida’s fourth largest spring and offers the chance to paddle right up to and explore the headsprings area. Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park showcases Florida wildlife, including manatees, black bears, bobcats, American alligators, American crocodiles, and river otters. At Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, visitors can witness the magic of a live mermaid show, take a river boat cruise, and kayak on the crystal clear Weeki Wachee River.

The Chassahowitzka River, or as locals call it, "The Chaz," is a five-mile-long first magnitude spring-fed river that empties into the Gulf of Mexico, and has numerous tributaries to paddle and explore. In addition, 31,000 acres in the area have been designated as The Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge provides habitat for hundreds of species of birds, dolphins, otters, and manatees.

The magical Silver River is a 7 mile long spring that connects the amazing Silver River spring head to the beautiful Ocklawaha River. This surreal silvery colored river passes through a pristine woodland environment. Kayakers floating down the river experience a primeval forest wilderness, clear turquoise water, and wildlife including eagles, ospreys, countless other birds, alligators, snakes, turtles, manatees, a variety of fish, and even monkeys traveling in tribes!

Water plays an important role in a variety of recreational activities on the Nature Coast. The twisting, cool, clear, spring-fed springs and rivers of the area, as well as the saltwater of the Gulf of Mexico, are the perfect place for a group of kayakers to spend the day paddling, swimming, and exploring!

Day 1: We will provide airport pickup at 3:00 p.m. outside the United Airlines baggage claim area at Orlando International Airport (MCO). For those driving, directions will be given to our Dunnellon, Florida lodging.

After our initial meeting, we will make introductions, assign rooms, go over the itinerary for the week, and enjoy a huge welcome happy hour and dinner.

Days 2-6: The trip leaders will give paddling and safety instructions and get everyone geared up for an incredible week of kayaking. Rather than have a set itinerary, we will wake up to a new adventure each day, depending on weather, tides, and other factors. We will kayak and explore as many of these places as possible:

• Rainbow River, Rainbow River State Park
• Historic Dunnellon Village
• Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park
• Chassahowitzka River, Chassahowitzka NWR
• Crystal River, Crystal River Archaeological State Park
• Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins State Historic Site
• Withlacoochee River
• Weeki Wachee River, Weeki Wachee State Park
• Cedar Key, Cedar Key NWR, Atsena Otie Key, Cedar Key Museum State Park
• Silver River, Silver River State Park

Day 7: After having breakfast and bidding farewell to new friends, this Florida vacation will be officially over by mid-morning. You will be dropped off by noon at Orlando International Airport (MCO). Please schedule your departing flight for 2:00 p.m. or later.

Getting There

Orlando, Florida and Tampa, Florida offer the nearest major airports. They are both about a 90-minute drive to our lodging location in Dunnellon, Florida. We encourage carpooling to and from our lodging. A participant roster and driving directions will be sent to all confirmed participants prior to the outing. Please do not make travel arrangements until the leader has confirmed you as a trip member. We will provide van support to and from our daily adventures.

Accommodations and Food

We will spend six nights in cabins in historic Dunnellon, Florida. Participants coming alone will share rooms and couples will room together. Participants will take turns helping the leaders prepare meals and clean up. The first meal will be dinner on day one of the outing, and the last meal will be breakfast on day seven of the outing. We will go out to dinner one time during the week; this dinner is not included in the trip price.

Trip Difficulty

Our kayak adventures will feature intermediate routes, averaging 5-10 miles in distance and three to five hours on the water each day on this Florida vacation. Walking will be short distances on fairly flat terrain. We will stop to take periodic breaks and lunch each day. You need not be an expert kayaker, but it is expected that you have some previous kayaking experience and that you are able to keep up with the group at a reasonable pace. Basic paddling and safety instruction will be given on the first day of the outing. Each participant should understand that this is a group outing and that you will be required to stay with the group while on the water and follow all instructions given by your guides. You should be flexible as plans and itineraries often change due to weather, group ability, tides, water levels, or other unforeseen reasons.

Note: Please be aware that alligators, snakes, dolphins, manatees, and even sharks are a regular highlight on kayak adventures in Florida waters. They are not interested in kayaks or kayakers, but you should be comfortable paddling among this and other wildlife

Equipment and Clothing

We will provide rental kayaks, paddles, and life jackets. You are also welcome to bring your own favorite paddle or life jacket. A full gear list will be sent to all confirmed participants prior to the outing. We will provide van support to and from our daily activities.

References

• McCarthy, Kevin M., Cedar Key, Florida: A History, The History Press, 2007.
• Molloy, Johnny, Canoeing and Kayaking Florida, Menasha Ridge Press, 2007.
• Ohr, Tim, Florida’s Fabulous Canoe and Kayak Trail Guide, World PUBNS, 2006.
• Stratton, Michael, Florida State Parks, Mountaineers Books, 2000.
• Watson, Melissa, Touring the Springs of Florida, Falcon Guides, 2015.

Conservation

Is there such a thing as environmentally friendly tourism or are some places being “loved to death?” Florida’s Nature Coast receive millions of visitors annually. Whether visiting for a few days, a week, or several months, these visitors greatly impact the areas that they travel to. Some regulations and safeguards have been put in place: banning food or drink in its original disposable containers on certain waterways; limiting motorboat horsepower; no-wake zones; limiting or banning parking near headsprings and having buffer zones along waterways; and placing specialized containers near docks, boat ramps, and waterways to provide a place to discard and recycle used fishing lines. These programs have definitely had an impact. Something as simple as banning original food and drink containers on some waterways has been very effective and has cut down on the amount of trash in these waterways by a huge amount. New environmental programs and technologies must continue to be put in place to help further protect these areas. Something as simple as the types of sunscreen and insect repellant used by millions of visitors impacts the environment and water quality of the areas that we paddle and visit. We’ll talk about what’s being done and see if we can come up with any new ideas. 

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.