Enjoy the outdoors and explore
the rivers, springs, islands, beaches, lakes, swamps and marshes
throughout Central Florida.
Paddle with Dolphin, Manatee, Otters, and yes, Alligators (but
don't worry, you are not on their menu). You may well spot such
magnificent birds as the southern Bald Eagle, White Pelicans, Red
Headed Woodpeckers, and Great Blue Heron.
Florida Kayaking Tours
- Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge home to the largest
number of endangered plant and bird species of all US refuges.
- Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon paddle through this estuary
island hoping where at least seven distinct Indian cultures, Spanish
explorers, and civil war troops have occupied as early as 7000
BC.
- Canaveral National Seashore recognized as one of our country's
most beautiful beaches.
- Loxahatchee River Canoe Trail cruise along Florida's only federally
designated natural wild and scenic river.
- Pelican Island our nation's first national wildlife refuge established
in 1903.
- Econlockhatchee/St. John's Rivers snake along these windy rivers
in the Florida back country gliding through hardwood and cypress
forests.
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Kayaking Review:
By Joy Atkinson (Summer Intern)
Did someone mention nature? I had the opportunity to witness
it first hand by going on a kayaking adventure in Titusville,
FL. Just 45 minutes from Orlando, pretty close to Cocoa Beach.
It's located on the Atlantic Ocean, so beaches are very plentiful.
There are no beaches in Orlando, making it that much more
appealing. It's also near the Kennedy Space Center. For all
those knowledgeable space lovers.
The water was warm. This was a nice surprise. It was pretty
shallow, which made it perfect if I was to lose control of
the kayak. However, I soon found out that to tip a kayak over,
I have to be trying to flip a kayak over. So, that was encouraging
to find out. We kayaked to a bird sanctuary. This island had
thousands of birds scattered along the shoreline. Bird watchers
can view Southern Bald Eagle, Roseatte Spoonbill, Redish Egret,
Limpkin, White Pelican, ood
Stork, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron, Green
Heron and very endangered Scrub Jay . Since I was paddling
myself, I was able to view what birds I wanted to because
I was the captain of my kayak.
He then led me into the no wake zone of the trip. This was
the special manatee area. It even has a short boardwalk for
people to walk out to see the manatees because they are known
to eat in this large water holding off of the ocean.You will
also encounter alligators, fish, stingrays, crab,s jellyfish
and otters.
Wildlife you can expect to see are Wild Hogs, Deer, Black
Bear, Racoon, Bobcat.
Continuing down the waterway, we spotted an otter hanging
out along the rock edge. The kayaking itself was very enjoyable
and exciting. There was not a strong current, causing little
resistance to propel the kayak. The scenery was beautiful.
Since I went so late in the evening, the sky was magnificent.
All the green trees and blue green water just set a pictorial
scene of the real Florida. Nothing man made, just pure nature
to capture my attention. It created a stress free, worry free,
healthy environment. After the 45 minute drive from Orlando,
it felt wonderful to do some exercise in a place where you
did not see concrete everywhere you turned. The trip was at
my own pace allowing me to enjoy every aspect.
My advice to you, bring sunscreen. More then likely the sun
will be at it's strongest when you are paddling around in
the water. Since you are so close to the water, the water
acts as a mirror causing the sun to be that much stronger.
Bring water and possibly some food for afterward. I would
suggest cameras that have a case of some sort. There is a
good possibility that you will not get wet, but there is always
a slim chance that you will. There are plenty of photo opportunities;
I took advantage of them myself.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Day Tours:
Manatee Tours - Make contact with Florida's most
endangered species.
2 hour trip on the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge east
of Titusville Florida.
There are few places in the world where an endangered species will
approach you and ask for a backrub. Dolphin and many wading bird
sightings on this excursion.
March 1-October 31 with "Guaranteed Manatee sighting April
-October"
Level of Difficulty: "Easy"
Price:
Adults $32
Children $24 (age 5-11)
Schedule
Photo's
Lil Econ River - Tour the true old south swimming-hole
experience combined beauty of Florida. rope Swings,swimming holes,jump
from overhanging trees and splashing your friends.Tour last 4.5 hours but groups can easily spend 5-7 hours depending
on the schedule and desire. This trip is reserved for groups of 10 or more. Please email us with desired date.
Year Round
Difficulty: Easy - Moderate
Price:
Adults $32
Children $24 (age 5-11)
Schedule
Photo's
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Tour - The habitat is filled with the most consistent populations of
migratory and native bird life available anywhere. Tour last 2-2.5 hours with a rookery
island just off our launch site, the chances of seeing that spoonbill,heron,or egret are pretty good.
This 90 minute focuses on the rookery island. June & July are
a must see for avid birders with all the fledgling birds wandering
the shore of the rookery.
November 1-February 28
Difficulty: Easy
Price:
Adults $32
Children $24 (age 5-11)
Schedule
Photo's
Silver River - one of the most beautiful rivers
in Florida. Paddle upstream before dark and enjoy a beautiful tropical
experience with the feel of Old Florida. Plenty of wildlife to see
- even bands of monkeys from older theme park days. At sunset we
have a bite to eat before the return trip under a full moon. Total
trip length about 4 hours.This trip is reserved for groups of 10 or more. Please email us with desired date.
Year Round
Difficulty: Easy
Price:
Adults $32
Children $24 (age 5-11)
Schedule
Photo's
Bioluminescent Night Tour - During the warm summer
months in the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon come alive with Bioluminescence.Every
movement produces light! From the swirl of your paddle or the trail
of a speeding school of mullet(which look very much like hundreds
of blue-green underwater bottle rockets),to the ghostly glow of
a slow moving manatee or stingray every movement is illumined. this
2 1/2 that is a must see tour.
June - October
Difficulty: Easy - Moderate
Price:
Adults $32
Children $24 (age 5-11)
Schedule
Photo's
Moonlight Paddles - During the weekends of the
full or almost full moon,we will choose one of several rivers and
enjoy a moonlight paddle. Its always different and we never really know what creatures we will encounter or which of several paths we will take. Dolphin and manatee are regulars. Lots of birds too, including owls and night herons.
March-December
Difficulty: Easy
Price:
Adults $32
Children $24 (age 5-11)
Schedule
Photo's
Space Shuttle Launch Tour - Paddle out for an
unobstructed view of the Space Shuttle during launch just seven
miles away. During launches you have the best seat in Brevard County.
We put in at our Haulever canal launch site, and within a short
paddle to Mosquito Lagoon. The atmosphere of the water is electric
as we find ourselves a part of a flotilla of the many vessels gathered
on the lagoon. As the shuttle lifts off, the sound waves travel
across the water mixing with the shouts from observers adding to
the trill of the moment. During the paddle to lagoon and back we
frequently see manatees and dolphins.
Shuttle Launch Schedule
Difficulty: Easy
Price:
Adults $32
Children $24 (age 5-11)
Schedule
Photo's
Custom Tours - We can plan a custom trip for you,your
family or a large group to most any location in Florida. We have
kayaked from Okefenokee to the Keys and would love to explore new
places with you. Send us an email and we will research the trip
and get back to you with details and a projected cost. We do all
the work - you simply paddle and enjoy.
Kayak Rentals:
Fishing Kayaks - Ocean Kayak Prowler 15' with
Scotty rod holders.
$50 full day; $35 half day/4 hours (You Pick up and drop off)
Single Kayak - Sit op top or or sit in.
$30 full day;$20 half day (You Pick up and drop off)
Double Kayak - sit in (Kepwee or Old Town Loon)
$45 full day;$35 half day (You Pick up and drop off)
* If you transport we have the equipment to secure kayaks to your
vehicle at no additional cost.
* If you would like us to transport kayaks to your launch site there
will be an additional fee. Fee determined by the number of kayaks
needed and launch site requested.
* All rentals include paddle,life jacket and whistle (required by
U.S. Coast Guard).
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