THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Put on your costume and paddle the Wekiva River with a friendly crowd—prizes, photos under the State Park bridge, and lunch after at Without a Paddle Café. This easy, family-friendly parade is a festive way to experience Wekiva’s spring-fed river.
Put on your costume and paddle the Wekiva River with a friendly crowd—prizes, photos under the State Park bridge, and lunch after at Without a Paddle Café. This easy, family-friendly parade is a festive way to experience Wekiva’s spring-fed river.
Book with Wekiva Island
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Wekiva Island · Longwood, Florida
Wekiva Island and PBO’s Halloween Costume Parade Paddle takes place on the Wekiva River near Longwood, Florida, where spring-fed water moves slow between cypress and live oaks. This one-and-a-half-hour community event blends silly spectacle with river stewardship, inviting paddlers to don costumes, float past a judges' panel by the fire pit, and pause under the State Park bridge for a group photograph. The scene is immediate: paddleboards and kayaks bob in clear tannin-stained water, orange and purple costumes reflected on the surface. Key features include the launch and island gathering at Wekiva Island, the tree-lined river corridor, the riverside fire pit used by judges, and a landmark bridge in Wekiwa (Wekiva) Springs State Park where the group shot is taken. The river is spring-fed over limestone karst, with shading canopies of bald cypress, live oak, and sabal palm. Look for great blue herons, turtles, and occasional otters along the banks. This family-friendly parade is low-pressure and participatory: arrive by 10:15 a.m., launch at 10:30 a.m., and pass the judging window between 10:30 and 11:15 a.m. Prizes for best costume, most creative, and best group theme reward inventiveness more than athleticism. The ride route is relaxed—easy paddling upstream and back—so it’s ideal for intermediate paddlers and first-timers who can swim and want a festive morning on the water. Practical details matter: rentals are available on-site ($25 for hard SUPs with RSVP/prepayment) and standard day-of rates cover kayaks and boards. Age rules are clear—participants 13+ may paddle their own board (exceptions possible by emailing [email protected]), and younger children can ride with a parent. Weight limits apply to boards: 250 lbs per paddleboard, 280 lbs combined adult/child. After the paddle, the island’s Without a Paddle Café and the Tooting Otter offer lunch and drinks, turning the event into a social morning. The local guides stage the contest beside the fire pit and encourage costumes that are safe on the water—foam wings, lightweight cloaks, and bright PFDs are all welcome. Beyond the holiday fun, this paddle is a standout because it opens access to Wekiva’s protected river corridor, connects newcomers to local waterways, and channels community energy into a playful, accessible conservation-minded outing. Whether you come for the costume contest, the photo under the bridge, or the slow river scenery, this event is an easy, memorable way to meet locals and see one of Central Florida's clearest spring rivers. Plan to arrive early to sign waivers, claim rentals, and pick a visible costume that won’t snag in reeds; volunteers will help with flotation and safety briefings, and the crew often pauses to point out nests, springs, and water-quality markers, so bring a small dry bag for your phone and a sense of curiosity and laughter.
easy.
1.5 hours.
Suitable for people with basic paddling fitness and the ability to swim; not a strenuous outing.
Hard SUP rentals require RSVP and prepayment ($25) to guarantee a board; day-of standard rental options may be available but fill quickly.
The parade itself is free to attend if you bring your own board; rentals and food are extra.
Participants 13+ may paddle their own board; children under 13 can ride with a parent—contact [email protected] for exceptions.
Check-in is on Wekiva Island; arrive by 10:15 a.m. with launch scheduled for 10:30 a.m.
You must know how to swim; wear a PFD when required, and adhere to posted weight limits (250 lbs per board, 280 lbs combined adult/child).
Organizers will notify registered participants about cancellations or reschedules; heavy wind or thunderstorms typically cancel paddling events.
Wekiwa (Wekiva) Springs State Park protects the headwaters and river corridor that make these spring-fed paddles possible, and the area is a long-standing local recreation resource.
Organizers encourage leave-no-trace paddling, use of designated launch points, and avoidance of wildlife disturbance to protect fragile spring-fed habitats.
Wekiva Island is a riverfront recreation and rental destination in Longwood, Florida, offering cabana rentals, group spaces, guided paddle experiences, and seasonal family events. The property features multiple private and semi-private cabanas—Audubon Cabana, Otter Cabana, Barefoot Cabana, Cabana #1, Cabana #2, Cabana #3, Canoe Cabana, The Point, and The Beach Club—each with outdoor seating and amenities that include gas grills, coolers or beverage refrigerators, and direct water access where noted. The Beach Club is the largest rentable space and accommodates up to forty guests, while several cabanas serve groups of ten to twenty-five people. Guided offerings include the Wekiva Island Paddle Adventure, which begins with a brief paddling lesson and proceeds with a guided tour on the Wekiva River; participants may have opportunities to swim in clear springs during suitable conditions. Seasonal and holiday programming includes family-friendly events such as Donuts with Santa, Breakfast With Santa, Ornament Decorating with Elves, and Stories with Mrs. Claus. One cabana—The Point—permits pop-up tents, a unique allowance on the island that supports small gatherings and customized setups. Wekiva Island operates on the Wekiva River corridor and supports responsible recreation near local conservation partners. Rentals clearly list capacities and included amenities, while larger spaces provide picnic tables, fire pits, and direct water access for paddling and swimming. Visitors can reserve day rentals for private events, group outings, or relaxed beach-style days. The venue emphasizes convenience with stocked coolers or beverage refrigerators, upgraded privacy features, and on-site grills to support cooking and catering options.
Book with Wekiva Island