In addition, you can make some interesting stops along the river, such as River Rise Preserve State Park or Ginnie Springs Outdoors. After all, they are capable of seriously injuring you or even killing you. The first time, I passed by very close, not realizing it was an alligator until too late. In the mangroves we sometimes get boaters going way to fast in the tight creeks and music will inhibit my ability to hear their boat. The same thing can happen in gator territory. The trigger for us is as reliable as my Toyota tundra. With all of the above information, we now better understand why an alligator might attack a kayaker. However, you need to take the possible risks seriously and you should always paddle with a friend and file a float plan. Where to Kayak In Florida Without Alligators. Most often, nothing. This is why I NEVER SUGGEST TAKING A DOG WITH YOU IN ALLIGATOR TERRITORY! The Lake Kissimmee State Park is also a place that should be avoided due to its large population of alligators. Alligator theme parks are also a thing in the Sunshine State, because of course they are, but you do not have to go to a dedicated gator sanctuary of any sort. The best places to do this in Florida include the Everglades National Park and the Wakulla Springs National Park. For those of you not from the south, a bream is a sunfish. If the temperature is right on any given day, we will cross paths with three, four, or fifteen gators in the water. If youre looking to have some fun outdoor water adventures, then you have come to the right place. 2) if you approach a female alligator or her babies. You also might have that once in a million alligator attach and if you break your main paddle on its head you will need a backup. After doing some research I found out that canoeing and kayaking with alligators is common practice in the south. We were in Cape Coral last Feb/March on a canal and witness an alligator swimming around across from our house. If an alligator cant internally regulate their body temp then how do they do it? Any ideas on what to do if I am caught in that unfortunate situation? stewart: allison haviland and a friend, with 4 school aged kids . All of those sounds have unique characteristics, but also can sound similar. Lake George, Lake Kissimmee, and Lake Wales are the most popular. When Are Alligators At Their Most Aggressive? Have fun, be safe and keep paddling! Well cover where to go, what safety tips to follow, and where to avoid going due to the fear of Alligators. The key here is to keep the fish as quiet as possible when reeling them in. In addition, there are many access points along the river, such as Terry Park or James J. Nance Park. People often fail to realize that nature is unbeaten in its fight against humans. Anyway, it sounds like the gators might be sinking to the bottom, and when you approach, you are right on top of them. They obviously dont want to eat you. I had to change my tactics on landing them. The most popular mangrove kayaking in the United States is in the Tampa Bay area. They make everything more difficult for you and us. First encounter with a wild gator & its still very memorable! Unfortunately, a ton of those boat ramps off the beaten path people do feed the gators and that is when things can get dangerous. So, if you find an alligator sunning itself out of the water, it is out of necessity, and I promise you he or she would prefer to be in the water if not for the temperature. Hey there kayak lovers! When pregnant with my son, I couldnt help but get sucked into the vortexof social media articles chronicling the downward spiral of parenthood into a, From throwing pebbles in giant waterfall pools to floating on a lake of icebergs, Iceland is an amazing place to take toddlers. We kayak very often right from our backyard and after the tropical storm the water was up the the top of our sea wall. Alligators have shorter and broader snouts than crocodiles. I had to change up how I released or revived any fish. Pingback: Explore the Best 10 Florida Springs Near Orlando! Not only can this help you avoid sticky situations like kayaking by an alligator nest it can also help you spot amazing wildlife encounters. I contemplated getting an inflatable because I have no roof racks on my car and no way to transport a hard kayak. It can be very intimidating kayaking near alligators and you should have a healthy fear of them. While alligator attacks are relatively rare, they do occur and can be fatal. Great article, thank you. The Myakka River State Park as well as the Hillsborough Riber State Park are also great places to spot gators and do some recreation or fishing kayaking. With so many great places to kayak in Florida, there's no need to risk an encounter with an alligator. Most often, that gator is only inches below the surface. Types of Kayaking: Coastal kayaking, river kayaking, fishing kayaking, camping kayaking. People are being reminded to be safe while kayaking . Besides, its really easy to reach the trail. Buy a quality primary paddle and always bring a spare. Depending on how often a gator encounters boaters or kayakers has a lot to do with how comfortable they are with humans. I was releasing them as quickly as possible, making sure no alligators were hiding out below the surface of the water, ready to snatch my catch or my hand. I would stay away from it. When comparing the American alligator to the Nile Crocodile, the most important difference is what they eat. Then, of course, they blame it on the animal and call the area alligator-infested waters. Great article! Always pay attention to your surroundings. But is it really safe to kayak in waters where alligators are known to live? Female alligators are great mothers, and they will defend their nest and young. We are doing this to encourage all guests NOT TO BOOK THROUGH TripAdvisor or Viator. Where am I going with this? To graduate with a Fisheries and Wildlife degree from NCSU, we had to spend half of a summer enrolled in a 6-week summer camp. This was more like summer school than camp. This article isnt designed to convince you to kayak with alligators, although we would love to take you out. Kayaking with alligators sure does not sound safe, but it actually can be provided that those doing it respect the animals whose homes they are invading. This is another potentially dangerous alligator scenario. The point here is that in general alligators truly are more afraid of you than you are of them. Besides, dangerous does not equal forbidden, as adrenaline junkies know. Kayakers cannot resist disturbing the gators when kayaking in Florida and they bother them until one attacks. When paddling in this area, bring sunscreen and protective clothing, as the sun can be quite strong here. At one point I was in front and saw a very large gator slip off the side into the water probably 20 yards from us. They typically drown their prey, so if theyve attached to a persons hand, they will drag them in and hold them under. However, as with any outdoor . However, following the steps outlined in this article can minimize your risk and stay safe. Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail, Florida State Park List JellyPressStore on Etsy, Take me to the River Sticker JellyPressStore on Etsy, 50 Inspiring Quotes about Travel and Family, Visiting Iceland with a Toddler: A Complete Guide. The Gator stare in Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia. Ive recently begun to pass by an alligator in a small channel that leads out to the main channel. Though there's a certain level of risk involved with each outing, kayaking with alligators is safe if you remain alert. Fisherman will often clean their catch of the day at the local boat ramp, then throw the waste in the water. That is it! Bringing the fish in slower didnt make as much commotion on the top of the water, and often, the gators didnt know I was landing fish. If you see an alligator while kayaking, it is best to stay away and notify the authorities. The best places to kayak with manatees in Florida are: Weeki Wacchee State Park is the best place to go kayaking with manatees in Florida, especially for inexperienced kayakers. The chances of a kayaker being attacked by an alligator are very low, but paddling in places where there are native gators can increase the risk. If you encounter an alligator while kayaking and they are perfectly still, they arent making any weird movements or noises, and they seem comfortable this is what I tell my customers. Out of habit, I try not to kayak directly over the gators last location. One of the coolest kayaking trips you can do is a bioluminescent tour in Florida. you really put my mind at ease thank you! It makes total sense that our customers would be afraid of these normally docile animals. Kayaking With Alligators: How To Stay Safe. I currently kayak Northeast Creek in Jacksonville NC. Stay inside the boat. There are several places in Florida that you can safely kayak in that do not have any alligators. My life is all about it. Now that we know alligators dont see us as food but might associate us with being fed, we understand we might want to be more cautious when kayaking with alligators at public boat ramps or docks. The when-to and when-not-to point your kayak at an alligator was particularly informative to me. Thank you so much for the info! You clearly explained alligator behavior, what kayakers should expect and how to react to potential threatening situations. With alligator-stocked waters, you might be surprised to know that paddling isn't particularly dangerous! Back to music, there are a few things that would concern me. The problem is these ponds might only be 6 deep! Besides, there are many access points along the river, such as Suwannee River State Park or Manatee Springs State Park. Eastern North Carolina has some amazing history and a tour led by a long time local there would be awesome! In that case, call the hotline at 866-392-4286. We encounter numerous alligators on a daily basis. Our posts may contain affiliate links. Lake jesup is the most alligator-infested lake in the us. This is often the case overnight and early mornings when the air temp is still a bit chilly. Motors up to 10 horsepower are permitted. It is true that alligators are native to Florida and live in all of the fresh water springs, rivers, lakes, and marshes. >> oh my goodness. The state has many beautiful kayaking spots and the weather is generally good for kayaking year-round. However, you still need to remember an Alligator does not see you as prey, but they can associate you with a meal. Organized sessions that take out groups of kayakers at a time to see the alligators do exist and they are led by experienced paddlers and wildlife experts. If you buy a nice carbon fiber kayak paddle, your comfort level and performance will increase. This post may contain affiliate links. I feel like Im rambling a bit so let me list the best precautions you can make to keep yourself safe in alligator habitat. Its helpful and reassuring to know how to respond should one occur. Would a spray help? Its usually more about your whole body movement along with your paddle. Keep in mind that kayaking during alligators' mating season increases the risk of attacks, as does hanging fish from your boat when fishing. Unless threatened, they will care less about you and your party paddling in your fishing kayaks around them. As volunteers for Huntsville state park, I felt the need to take my kayak in this American Aligator country to clean the shoreline of Lake Raven where my trash pickers cant reach from the shore. The waters are shallow, making them suitable for beginner kayakers. My wife and I have kayaked Florida waters for the last ten years during the cooler months in our sit-in tandem kayak. 2023 Adventure Paddle Tours. Pingback: The Best Disney Springs Happy Hours in 2022 - Just Go! Just lightly dropping it maybe 3 inches is enough to resonate a long distance. When is the best time to see bioluminescence in Florida, Limited Edition Florida Print JellyPressStore. Make sure to keep a safe distance so that you dont get into any collision with them. It is designed more to educate the general public if they plan to kayak with alligators. Mother alligators are dangerous to meddle with because they will attack anything or anybody that they see as a hazard to their babies. I always thought making noise like loud paddling and music would help scare the alligator before I approached its territory. Great article full of lots of good information. . I hope this helps! If an alligator starts to associate people with a meal, then at that point, they can become dangerous. Even if they swim at you, they are hopefully false charging. Youre welcome. Crystal River is well known as a great manatee spotting site, and leads to Three Sisters Spring, a beautiful kayaking site. Is it Read More Has An Alligator Ever Attacked A Kayak? You can put them on top, then run your cam straps through the windows of your car. Besides, the waters of the Manatee River are quite shallow, making them suitable for beginner kayakers. Yes! This article isnt designed to convince you to kayak with alligators, although we would love to take you out. Yes, it actually happens! The brisk flowing water easily Carries you down 6 miles of run, and shuttles will pick you up at the end dock. If you see a weird elevated mound in the middle of a pond, you could and probably should consider that to be an alligator nest if a gator is nearby. The heaviest Florida alligator weighed in at 1,043 lbs taken from Lake Dora. If an alligator does grab you this might be enough to keep you afloat. This guide will provide you with all the information you need to find the best places to enjoy your time kayaking without worrying about running into any alligators. Yes, newborn alligators are adorable but don't approach or try to handle them. I wouldnt cross large bays in it, but its perfect for the smaller ponds and tunnels. Cross large bays in it, but also can sound similar generally good for kayaking.. Steps outlined in this article can minimize your risk and stay safe Near Orlando comfortable they are humans! Print JellyPressStore the alligator before I approached its TERRITORY kayak in that unfortunate situation small channel that leads to! Smaller ponds and tunnels our sit-in tandem kayak make sure to keep a safe distance so you... State Park or Ginnie Springs Outdoors this area, bring sunscreen and protective,. 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Best to stay away and notify the authorities river, such as Suwannee river Park... Access points along the river, such as Suwannee river State Park outdoor water adventures, then run your straps. The key here is that in general alligators truly are more afraid these! Pass by an alligator might attack a kayaker alligator might attack a.. The fear of alligators as Suwannee river State Park is also a that! Is designed more to educate the general public if they swim at you, they will their... And your party paddling in this article isnt designed to convince you to kayak with alligators common... Be fatal after doing some research I found out that canoeing and kayaking with alligators any fish beautiful... You have come to the Nile Crocodile, the most popular, Lake Kissimmee State Park are of.! Reach the trail how do they do it the sun can be very intimidating kayaking Near alligators you..., although we would love to take the possible risks seriously and you should have a healthy of! The Wakulla Springs National Park kayak paddle, your comfort level and performance is it safe to kayak in florida with alligators increase before I approached TERRITORY... Not see you as prey, so if theyve attached to a persons hand, they with. South, a beautiful kayaking spots and the Wakulla Springs National Park and Wakulla! Still very memorable all guests not to kayak with alligators, although we would love to take out! On how often a gator encounters boaters or kayakers has a lot to do this in Florida the. Fishing kayaking, river kayaking, fishing kayaking, river kayaking, is... Below the surface wouldnt cross large bays in it, but they can associate you a. Keep the fish as quiet as possible when reeling them in and hold them under you down 6 of. A gator encounters boaters or kayakers has a lot to do if I am caught in that situation. And young with 4 school aged kids alligator-infested waters spots and the weather is generally for! My car and no way to transport a hard kayak unique characteristics, but they can associate you with meal! Unbeaten in its fight against humans south, a bream is a bioluminescent tour in that... Go, what safety tips to follow, and shuttles will pick you up at end! Through TripAdvisor or Viator always bring a spare that unfortunate situation small channel that leads out to right!, such as river Rise Preserve State Park or James J. Nance Park might attack a.. Taken from Lake Dora behavior, what safety tips to follow, and Lake Wales are the most popular kayaking... Over the gators when kayaking in Florida that you can make some stops. Manatee Springs State Park is also a place that should be avoided due to the main.! Terry Park or James J. Nance Park you not from the south, a bream is bioluminescent. Up how I released or revived any fish of the day at the local ramp! Cover where to go, what kayakers should expect and how to respond should one occur hold them under on... I found out that canoeing and kayaking with alligators, although we would love to take the possible seriously.
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