Seeking a peaceful and nature-focused day while my daughter was off on her first day at Universal Studios, I chose to go kayaking near Orlando, Silver Springs State Park, renowned for its crystal-clear waters and resident manatees and opted for a clear bottom kayak.
It was the perfect choice and in this post, I’ll share my kayaking experience, why I chose Epic Paddle Adventures, other things to do in the Silver Springs State Park, such as trails and glass-bottom boats, and offer alternative recommendations for kayaking near Orlando, Florida, based on the extensive research I did for my trip.
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⌛ Short on time? Here are the best options for kayaking near Orlando:
✅ Silver Springs Epic Paddle Adventures kayaking or paddleboarding – top pick
✅ Best for Value – 4-hour eco kayaking
✅ Closest to Orlando – Night Glow Experience
✅ Full-day tour from Orlando with glass-bottom boat tickets (kayaking booked separately)
✅ Swim with manatees instead, boat trip and wildlife park, transport option from Orlando
Kayaking near Orlando with Manatees
Kayaking with manatees is such a fun experience but even without them, kayaking in the Florida springs in such beautiful scenery is amazing by itself and there is much more wildlife to see too. It’s no surprise that it’s one of the most popular of Florida’s attractions!
Why I chose Silver Springs Florida Kayaking with Manatees and Epic Paddle Adventures
After my niece suggested I go kayaking with manatees while they were off doing scarier things at the Orlando theme parks, I started searching for both the nearest kayaking to Orlando and the best kayaking near Orlando.
I looked at all the options online, checked the ratings and reviews on Tripadvisor, GetYourGuide and Viator, went through travel forum discussions, read local discussions on Reddit, checked the top-rated reviews on both Viator and Get Your Guide and read the reviews.
From my shortlist, I chose Silver Springs and the tour by Epic Paddle Adventures based firstly on wanting a single-person, clear kayak, free cancellation and then on personal reviews, the scenic setting and other things to do in the Silver Springs State Park. You can see some others that were on my shortlist further down under best alternatives and compare them all.
➡️ Book Silver Springs Epic Paddle Adventures kayaking or paddleboarding
My Experience Kayaking with Manatees at Silver Springs Florida
Having flown into Orlando late the night before and being unfamiliar with the roads, I opted for the 11 o’clock slot to make sure I was on time. Finding the location and meeting the Epic Adventure guide was easy, thanks to the clear instructions sent by email.
The launch area for kayaks and paddleboards is outside the park, in the top left corner of the car park, so you can park nearby.
Epic Adventure had messaged me beforehand to confirm whether I wanted a kayak or a paddleboard, so you’re free to choose, even if your booking initially says kayak. If you’ve booked for two or more people, they may also ask whether you prefer single or double kayaks.
There were just three of us on the tour that day back in mid-December but the group sizes are always fairly limited for a more personal experience anyway. Our guide, Roger, was fantastic, clearly knowledgeable about the area and experienced. After helping us into the water and giving instructions to the others in the group who had less experience, he gave us lots of information about the spring and river and the wildlife around it.
I had booked a clear-bottom kayak in advance, excited to get up close to the wildlife and experience the natural beauty of the springs. And honestly, it didn’t disappoint!
Roger led our group on a paddleboard, which gave him a better vantage point for spotting animals like manatees and alligators. This was great for us as he could guide us to areas where we could see the amazing creatures clearly.
He also showed us interesting things, like where the spring water rose up through the riverbed. As well as manatees, we spotted young alligators, including babies, turtles, wading birds, cormorants, and a few other birds along the way.
While didn’t get to see the famous macaque monkeys that were brought there about a century ago, you might be lucky and see them. They’re a non-native species and the numbers around the park are controlled, with the population currently at around 200.
The clear bottom kayak was a great choice, although it wasn’t as crystal-clear as I had imagined. A helpful tip our guide gave us though is to place your phone on the bottom of the kayak with the camera open to get a better view of what’s below the surface. It also makes it easy to capture some fantastic ‘underwater’ shots.
We didn’t see a lot of manatees but these things are always chance anyway and I was happy to see what I did. Overall, I had an amazing experience and would love to do it again. So I definitely recommend this one! Kayaking with manatees around was the highlight but even if I hadn’t seen them, it was so much fun.
What to Wear for Kayaking at Silver Springs Florida
I went in mid-December, and it was a little chilly in the morning, so I wore a hoodie, but a t-shirt was fine by the time we headed out on the water. I’d chosen to wear lightweight cargo pants as I remembered seeing that one of the kayak companies stated no jeans. This was a good choice as I got them wet several times but they dried out quickly.
It was cloudy the day I went, but if it’s sunny, a hat and sunglasses would be a good choice, especially in the hotter months.
Things to Know About Kayaking at Silver Springs
- Group Size: The small group size made for a more personal experience.
- Choosing Your Vessel: While clear-bottom kayaks offer a unique perspective, paddleboarding provides a higher vantage point for spotting wildlife.
- Wildlife Watching: Manatees are the highlight, but there’s plenty more to see, from fish to turtles and various birds.
Book Silver Springs Epic Paddle Adventures kayaking or paddleboarding
Best Alternatives for Paddleboarding and Kayaking near Orlando with Manatees
One of the issues I faced when looking through the tours was that not all companies accepted solo travellers! Some also only had tandem kayaks and only a couple had clear kayaks, which was a priority for me. As you may not have the same criteria as me, I’ve added a variety of options below that come up tops.
This option for kayaking and seeing manatees at Blue Springs has 5-star reviews, but it doesn’t allow for single-person bookings or one adult and one child.
For the best value, Wekiva River Guided Kayaking comes out top at around $100 for a 4-hour tour. Another advantage is that it’s only 33 km from Orlando. I didn’t go for this option as I thought 4 hours and kayaking for 7 miles might be too much for me. See more or book Wekiva River Kayaking.
This glass-bottom kayak tour at Rainbow Springs is $10 cheaper but I wasn’t able to book it for only one person. It looks fun, though, and it has a 4.9 rating on Viator, so it’s another option if you’re not a solo traveller. (If you’re booking in advance, note that this one is non-refundable.) See more or book kayaking at Rainbow Springs.
For the closest kayaking to Orlando, this one on Lake Ivanhoe is worth checking out but without the scenery or wildlife of the springs. They also offer a Night Glow Experience. See more or book Night Glow Experience.
I didn’t find any kayaking trips with transportation from Orlando, so if driving isn’t an option or preference for you, you could consider a full-day trip including a boat trip and wildlife park and the chance to swim with manatees instead. Pick-up from designated points in Orlando is included.
Another option is to book the full-day tour from Orlando with Silver Springs glass bottom boat tickets. You’ll have time to go kayaking too, but you’d have to book this separately.
Other Things to Do in Silver Springs Florida and Its History
There are lots of other things to do in Silver Springs State Park Florida, including walking, camping and learning about history.
History of Silver Springs Florida
Silver Springs is the oldest attraction in Florida and is still going strong today. Although the wider area of Ocali was originally inhabited by the Timucuan Indians, it later emerged as a prominent tourist destination after Samuel O. Howse bought nearly 250 acres around the headwaters of the Silver River in the mid-19th century.
The springs attracted tourists, many arriving by steamboat, and after the introduction of glass-bottom boat tours in the late 1870s, Silver Springs, Florida became even more popular.
The source of the beautiful clear is springs bubbling up through limestone from the Floridan Aquifer below. There are around 30 springs that feed into Silver River.
The land that includes the park underwent several changes of ownership through the 20th century before eventually gaining state park status, which helps it restore and preserve its natural beauty and historical significance.
Popular Filming Location for Movies
Silver Springs State Park is famous for more than just its natural beauty. It has an extensive history as a filming location for iconic movies. Its lush landscapes and crystal-clear waters served as the backdrop for six Tarzan films way back in the 1930s and 1940s, as it looked similar enough to the African jungle.
A few decades later, its clear waters made it the perfect location for the classic 1954 horror film Creature from the Black Lagoon and its sequel, Revenge of the Creature. A year later, scenes from Rebel Without a Cause with James Dean were shot there.
In 1956, scenes from the James Bond movie Thunderball with Sean Connery were shot in the stream. 21 years later, another James Bond movie, Moonraker, saw Roger Moore in the waters of Silver Stream in a fight with a snake.
These are just some of the more famous movies shot at Silver Springs, Florida. There are lots more that took advantage of its scenic location.
Historic Glass Bottom Boat Tours
The famous Silver Springs Florida glass bottom boats are one of the most popular attractions at the park. In fact, it was right here in Marion County that glass-bottom boats were invented in 1878. The very first one was a canoe with a glass panel. Later, in the 1920s, the larger, powered boats were developed. These are the very same boats that you can sail on today.
Through the glass bottom, you can see clearly what is in the water below, including manatees, turtles, alligators, plant life and maybe even a bird catching its lunch.
Although you can buy tickets at the park, booking online in advance will ensure you a seat on busier days. You can also book a full-day tour from Orlando including the boat tickets.
Silver Springs Trails and Birdwatching
Silver Springs has several trails you can walk on. I enjoyed the short Creek Trail inside the main park which goes along the riverside and then up a small hill after the Bear Pavilion and looping back round. I loved the variety of trees, the view and the birds.
The Ross Allen Island Boardwalk is also a short trail within the main park area. When you enter the park, you can do that one, then walk along past the glass bottom boats and cafes and continue along the Creek Trail above. This is a nice one for children too. Stop along the way to learn a bit of history from the information boards.
Further down the river, there are several other trails, mostly starting from the campsite area. I worked part of the way along the blue trail, starting from the main car park, intending to do the Swamp Trail, but ran out of time to finish it. It’s easier to drive up to the campsite entrance if you want to do more but have limited time.
You’ll see and hear lots of birds along the way. Look out for the macaque monkeys too as well as deer and other wildlife. If you’re not sure which to do or how to get to the trails, just ask in the visitor centre. You can also see the different trails here on AllTrails.
Silver River Museum and Pioneer Village
The Silver River Museum is actually a school programme and so you can only visit if you’re there at the weekend and between 10am and 4pm. I went on a Monday, so I didn’t get to visit. It has exhibits on geology, natural history and history.
The Pioneer Village, or Cracker Houses, at Silver Springs State Park is a recreated 19th-century pioneer settlement that you can wander around and see how people lived back then. Tours are given on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.
Cafes, Visitor Centre and Shop
Have lunch or a snack at the Springside Cafe which sells a good range of sandwiches, burgers and salads as well hot and cold dinks. Paradise Treats next door sells ice cream and other sweet options.
At the Visitor Centre, you can learn more about the park, its history, geology and wildlife and at the gift shop, you can buy some souvenirs as well as many other things like clothing.
Silver Springs Camping or Cabin Stay
For a longer stay at Silver Springs State Park during thewinter months, you can book a cabin in the woods or a spot to pitch up your tent or an RV. The cabins get booked up pretty quickly so you may need to book in advance. See more on the camping page on their website.
Is Silver Springs State Park worth visiting?
In my opinion, yes, if you want to enjoy the scenery and either glass bottom boats or kayaking and some wildlife. I spent a few hours here kayaking, walking the trails and having lunch with a scenic view.
Getting to Silver Springs from Orlando
Silver Springs is around 85 miles from Orlando, and it takes between 1.3 and 2 hours to get to Silver Springs from Orlando, depending on traffic. Getting there from International Drive was easy enough, but traffic around Orlando can get busy in the morning, so factor that into your departure time.
Unfortunately, driving yourself is the only way to get there from Orlando (taxi, etc., would be very pricey), and I couldn’t find any tours with a pick-up. The route takes you onto Florida’s Turnpike. There are two separate entrances, one for the main park area, including the kayak launching area and the other, just further down the same road for the campsite and some trails.
Best Places to Stay near Silver Springs State Park, Florida
If you’d like to book a night nearby, you can try booking one of the cabins within the park itself or take a look at some of these hand-picked options.
- Holiday Inn Express Silver Springs with pool, 600 metres from Silver Springs Park, Rating on Booking Fabulous 8.7.
- Apartment in an old house in historic downtown Ocala with two bedrooms, a porch and an old-fashioned bathtub! 7.8km/ 4.8 miles from Silver Springs Park Rating on Booking Exceptional 9.6
- Shamrock Cove Inn, Ocala, vintage boutique-style, 8.8km/ 5.5 miles from Silver Springs Park, Rating on Booking Good, 7.9
FAQs
How far is Silver Springs from Orlando?
Silver Springs is around 85 miles from Orlando.
Where is Silver Springs Florida located?
Silver Springs, Florida, is located in Marion County, north of Orlando.
What movies were filmed in Silver Springs, Florida?
Many movies, including the early Tarzan movies Thunderball, Moonraker and The Creature from the Black Lagoon, were filmed in Silver Springs, Florida.
Is it safe to swim in Silver Springs?
It’s no longer allowed to swim at Silver Springs Florida.
Wrap-up on Kayaking near Orlando with Manatees at Silver Springs Florida
Kayaking with manatees at Silver Springs, Florida, was truly an unforgettable experience was an unforgettable mix of adventure and tranquillity. The clear waters, the wildlife and a great guide helping us discover it all made for a perfect day out filled with both adventure and tranquillity. (And a refreshing alternative to the Orlando theme parks!)
There’s something magical about gliding through the crystal-clear waters, paddling alongside manatees and spotting birds, turtles, and even young alligators in their natural habitat. Exploring the other areas of Silver Springs State Park just topped it all off.
The combination of a small group tour, an expert guide and the unique setting made this kayaking trip one of the highlights of my time in Florida. Even if you don’t catch a glimpse of the famous macaque monkeys or spot as many manatees as you’d hoped, the experience of being in such a captivating environment is well worth it.
So, if you’re looking for a peaceful escape near Orlando, I really recommend kayaking at Silver Springs, especially with the other great activities to explore in the park, like walking trails and the iconic glass-bottom boat tours. And book yourself a clear kayak or paddleboard – you won’t regret it!
For more trips from Orlando, see Best Airboat Ride near Orlando and for evening activities, check out Best Things to Do at ICON Park Orlando 🎡
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