THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Paddle the St. Johns River just outside Blue Spring State Park to watch wintering manatees glide by in the warm spring-fed water. This 90-minute guided tour uses sit-on-top kayaks, small groups, and local guides to maximize wildlife sightings while keeping a respectful distance.
Paddle the St. Johns River just outside Blue Spring State Park to watch wintering manatees glide by in the warm spring-fed water. This 90-minute guided tour uses sit-on-top kayaks, small groups, and local guides to maximize wildlife sightings while keeping a respectful distance.
You push off from a quiet dirt ramp just beyond Blue Spring State Park and the St. Johns River opens up: wide, slow-moving, threaded with sawgrass and cypress knees. The water smells faintly of tannin; a steady 72°F spring flow feeds the river and, during colder months, draws manatees into the shallows. Sit-on-top kayaks cut through the current while herons and kingfishers patrol the banks and turtles haul out on fallen logs.
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Operated by AWA Kayak Tours · Orange City, Florida
You push off from a quiet dirt ramp just beyond Blue Spring State Park and the St. Johns River opens up: wide, slow-moving, threaded with sawgrass and cypress knees. The water smells faintly of tannin; a steady 72°F spring flow feeds the river and, during colder months, draws manatees into the shallows. Sit-on-top kayaks cut through the current while herons and kingfishers patrol the banks and turtles haul out on fallen logs.
The St. Johns is Florida’s longest river, flowing north over limestone and karst that create spring vents like Blue Spring. Indigenous peoples used the river for millennia; later European settlers and steamboats followed its winding course. The state park was set aside to protect the spring and the wintering manatee population, and today the park’s run is closed in peak manatee season — but the adjacent river remains open for guided tours.
This guided outing is a compact, 90-minute paddle aimed at low-impact wildlife viewing. Tours launch from a boat ramp past the park entrance (do not enter the park gate), run in small groups, and use sit-on-top singles or requested tandems; life vests, paddles and dry bags are provided. Expect slow, easy paddling with frequent stops to observe manatees, alligators, and river birds from a respectful distance. Wear sun protection, bring a full water bottle, and plan for mosquitoes in spring and summer. If you hope to see manatees, schedule between November and March but note the spring run closure — sightings happen on the river itself. The experience balances quiet nature viewing with straightforward logistics, ideal for families and first-time paddlers looking to meet Florida’s gentle giants without straying into the protected spring basin.
easy.
1.5 hours (90 minutes).
Suitable for most fitness levels; expect light, steady paddling and basic balance in a sit-on-top kayak.
Manatee season runs roughly November–March. The Blue Spring run itself is closed to swimmers and paddlers during peak season to protect the animals; this guided tour operates on the St. Johns River where manatees often congregate nearby.
Enter Blue Spring State Park into your GPS but continue past the park entrance to the end of the dirt road — the public boat ramp there is the tour’s launch. Do not enter the park or use the park’s facilities unless you have a separate park ticket.
Tours are family-friendly, but single kayaks have a 250 lb limit and tandems 450 lb; request a tandem when booking if needed. Inform the operator of ages and any special requirements on booking.
Full refunds are available if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure. The operator may cancel tours for unsafe weather or insufficient participants, in which case you’ll receive a refund or rebooking options.
The St. Johns corridor supported indigenous peoples long before European contact; springs like Blue Spring later became important refuges for wildlife and were protected as parkland in the 20th century.
Managers close the spring run during manatee season and enforce viewing distances; follow guide directions and avoid disturbing wildlife to support ongoing protection efforts.
AWA Kayak Tours operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You push off from a quiet dirt ramp just beyond Blue Spring State Park and the St. Johns River opens up: wide, slow-moving, threaded with sawgrass and cypress knees. The water smells faintly of tannin; a steady 72°F spring flow feeds the river and, during colder months, draws manatees into the shallows. Sit-on-top kayaks cut through the current while herons and kingfishers patrol the banks and turtles haul out on fallen logs.
You push off from a quiet dirt ramp just beyond Blue Spring State Park and the St. Johns River opens up: wide, slow-moving, threaded with sawgrass and cypress knees. The water smells faintly of tannin; a steady 72°F spring flow feeds the river and, during colder months, draws manatees into the shallows. Sit-on-top kayaks cut through the current while herons and kingfishers patrol the banks and turtles haul out on fallen logs.
The St. Johns is Florida’s longest river, flowing north over limestone and karst that create spring vents like Blue Spring. Indigenous peoples used the river for millennia; later European settlers and steamboats followed its winding course. The state park was set aside to protect the spring and the wintering manatee population, and today the park’s run is closed in peak manatee season — but the adjacent river remains open for guided tours.
This guided outing is a compact, 90-minute paddle aimed at low-impact wildlife viewing. Tours launch from a boat ramp past the park entrance (do not enter the park gate), run in small groups, and use sit-on-top singles or requested tandems; life vests, paddles and dry bags are provided. Expect slow, easy paddling with frequent stops to observe manatees, alligators, and river birds from a respectful distance. Wear sun protection, bring a full water bottle, and plan for mosquitoes in spring and summer. If you hope to see manatees, schedule between November and March but note the spring run closure — sightings happen on the river itself. The experience balances quiet nature viewing with straightforward logistics, ideal for families and first-time paddlers looking to meet Florida’s gentle giants without straying into the protected spring basin.